A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated it in a while. It's been a crazy year! Anyway, here's chapter 3. I hope you enjoy! Also, don't forget to favorite and review.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Doctor Who. All rights go to BBC.
"I'm not sure what you mean," I said with a nervous smile, hoping it would fool him.
"Crystal, it's okay! I won't let anyone hurt you. You don't have to be afraid of them knowing I know." Mr. Smith said with a comforting smile.
As I opened my mouth to speak, my stomach started to churn. I immediately turned and ran to the nearest trash can throwing up what little of my breakfast I had left in my stomach. Mr. Smith stood by with a concerned look on his face.
"Come see me in my office tomorrow. We can talk about this later. For now, we need to get you to a nurse." He helped me up and took me to the nurse's office.
When we arrived, Mr. Smith told the nurse about my concussion, and the nice school nurse named Mrs. Henderson lifted me on the bed and did all sorts of different tests. And gave me some medication to settle my stomach.
"Everything should be fine, dear." She said with a smile. "Just take the rest of the day off to lay down and recover." I gave her a smile and hopped down from the bed. As I walked out of the nurse's office, I bumped into John.
"Crys, you okay?" He asked, probably seeing the bandages on my head.
"Well, I have a minor concussion, but other than that, I should be fine. The nurse recommended I go home and rest, though." I said, looking into his deep blue eyes.
"Oh, well, then let me give you a ride." He said, reaching for his keys that were in his backpack.
"You sure, John? You've been giving me a lot of rides lately. At least let me pay for gas." I said as he rolled his eyes.
"Here, let's make a compromise. If you feel that bad about it, you can treat me to lunch sometime, deal?" He reached out his hand. "Deal!" I smiled and shook it.
John and I made our way towards his car. He opened the door for me, and I climbed in. As we drove down the roads, I couldn't help but feel nervous about tomorrow. Mr. Smith said he wanted to talk with me after class. What was he gonna say? What did he want to know? Do I lie? If so, what would I say? I could just skip out on class tomorrow, but that would mean staying in doing chores all day for Debbie and Frank. Gosh! Why is life so hard?
"Crys?" John's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Crys, what's wrong? You can tell me anything. You're secret safe with me. I promise."
Maybe I should tell him. Maybe he can help. No, that's dumb! Frank already has a criminal record for violence and fighting. What if he takes it a step further and actually kills John. I can not, and I will not let that happen.
"John, I promise I am fine! I am just tired, and I'm not feeling good." I say, hoping my answer would satisfy him.
"Crys, I've known you since 5th Grade. I know when you're not telling me the truth." His blue eyes basically peered into my soul. He continued, "I know I can't force you to talk, but I just want to make sure you're okay."
I had to bite my lip to prevent tears from coming out of my eyes. I swallowed hard and answered, "I appreciate the fact that you care about me and you are concerned, but I promise you that I am fine! I'm just tired, in pain, and nervous for my senior year." He sighed, obviously not satisfied with my answer but deciding not to push any further.
He answered, "Okay, but if you ever need to talk, I'm only one call away, okay?" I gave him a small smile. "Okay!"
When we pulled up to my house, he gave me a quick hug, and I got out of the car. As soon as I stood up, I felt dread. Although the house looked relatively normal to the average person, to me, it was like entering a haunted house. No, worse than that. It was like entering a nightmare. I swallowed hard. With each step, I felt the dread deepen. The medicine was no longer helping as my stomach began to feel like it was going to fall out. When I got to the door, it swung open, revealing a pissed-off Debbie.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" She yelled, "WHY AREN'T YOU AT SCHOOL!?" her bloodshot eyes narrowed, and her frown deepened. She smelled so strongly of liquor. I almost threw up right then and there.
"WELL?" Debbie's eyes widened with rage. She looked almost like a cartoon character. With bulging eyes, gritted teeth, and a vein popping out of her forehead. If it were any other circumstance, it would almost be comical.
"I wasn't feeling well, so the nurse sent me home early." she rolled her eyes.
"If you're going to be home, you are going to be useful." she spat. "I am going to the store to grab some beer. By the time I get back, the dishes better be done, the floors better are swept and mopped, and the bathrooms better are cleaned." My eyes widened. There was no way I would be able to get all that done in that amount of time, especially when I have a concussion and should be in bed resting.
"But that's impossible! I'm never gonna get all that done by the time you get back!" I instantly regretted the words that came out of my mouth when I saw Debbie turn towards me with fire in her eyes. She grabbed a pen sitting on the table and stabbed me in my right arm. I screamed in pain as I reached to pull the pen out of my arm. The sight of all the blood made my already sensitive stomach lurch, and I threw up all over Debbie's shoes. She cried out in disgust, grabbed me by my hair, and drug me to my room.
"You disgusting child! You will stay here until Frank gets home from work, and I can promise you when he gets his hands on you, you will experience the most pain you will ever feel in your life!" She slammed the door to my bedroom and locked it.
I curled up in a ball and began to cry. I was scared, in pain, and lost on what to do. There was still a month left before I turned 18. But I wasn't even sure I would survive that long. With every passing day, Frank and Debbie just got angrier and angrier. I wasn't even sure if I would survive the night seeing how angry Debbie was. A mix between pain, stress and the concussion forced made my stomach hurt again. I rushed towards the trash can sitting on the other side of my room and emptied out whatever was left in my stomach.
After sitting in my room for 2 hours crying, I decided that enough was enough. I had spent the last 3 years living in fear, and I was done. I was no longer going to be pushed around, abused, and taken advantage of by Frank and Debbie. I got up, grabbed a bag from my closet, and started packing up some of my things. I was going to run away. I glanced up at my clock to see the time, 4:30. Frank would be home from work in half an hour, and Debbie ran to buy more beer. I didn't have much time. I tie my bedding together to make a rope long enough to make it down safely. I then opened my window and threw down the rope and my bag. I grabbed on as tightly to the bedding as I could and hoisted myself out the window. However, my right arm began hurting from the stab wound Debbie caused. And I only made it halfway before I lost strength and fell.
There was a loud ringing in my ear, and my body felt like it was on fire. I felt nauseous and dizzy. Any strength I had completely disappeared. I felt like crying. I was so close to escaping this prison I had been trapped in for over 3 years, but I had failed so miserably. Tears fell out of my eyes as I thought of what would happen when they found out I tried to run away. I wouldn't survive the night! They would kill me for sure! I prayed that I would have enough strength to get away from the house and find a place to hide. I heard Debbie's car pull up to the front of the house, and by some miracle, I managed to find enough strength to hoist myself and wobble to an alleyway nearby. I hid behind some dumpsters and fell fast asleep.
