Chapter 3: Crippled mess...An unlikely savior

Her eyes slowly opened and her mouth gasped with breath. Pains were shooting through out her entire body. Never had she felt this kind of dread. Looking around she noted to be on the floor in her room. She saw a pool of blood beside her and wondered what part of her that had leaked from. Trying to stand she screamed a cry like none other. Her body was to weak to hold itself upright so instead she turned her head to the window. It was darkened out. Seemed the approach of night had fallen. Breathing out slowly she found it hard to move her mouth. Why was everything so broken? Turning her head from one side to the next tears poured at the crackling feel. She moved her hand to rest upon her chest and felt something there. Picking up the piece of paper she read the note aloud.
"Went to work. I called in your teacher and told her you were sick with the flu. You been out for two days Char. Its already Monday. If you read this I expect dinner when I get home. I won't be back until late tonight though. Around eleven. I don't suspect you'll be sneaking out. Poor bytch probably won't even be able to move a muscle. Well hope you learned your lesson." Vomit felt like releasing from her stomach as she once again tried to move. She somehow managed to reach for the bed. Her hollers were like none other as she was finally at a stand still. She couldn't really walk yet somehow her feet were taking her to the bathroom. once there she need to inspect her body. She needed to see just how broken she was. Looking to her face she saw the bruises. But those were from the other day. Not anything new or dangerous to her body. Bringing her fingers down her body she saw the hand mark on her neck. She remember the tightening squeeze and realized maybe he had tried to strangle her to death. But no he would never kill her. That would be far to easy. Crying a bit harder Charlie lifted her shirt to see bruises covering every inch of her rib cage and stomach. That was possibly why she was having the trouble catching a breath. Shaking her head in disgust her eyes caught sight of the gash at her side. It was a cut that was covered now with a yellow puss and had dried blood stained around it. That was why the floor had been soaked. And her shirt. The cut was deep. Too deep to be one from a swing or a graze. Thinking that maybe he had cut her she sobbed against the door. What could possibly bring this much hatred on her father. He once was a nice man wasn't he? Why else would her mom have married the man? Looking to the ceiling she just shook her head and closed her eyes softly. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't possibly survive with him if this is what he was to do from now on. Looking over at her alarm clock that rested on its stand she took in the time. It was nine. She still had time before her dad would be home. She needed to see someone. How she would get there she wasn't sure. She could hardly move. Never mind walk such ways. Reaching for her cell that was surprisingly still in her pocket she smiled when seeing the twenty one missed calls. At least some people cared about Charlie's well being. Not bothering in checking who it had been she quickly dialed a number for a cab and tried her best to clean herself up. Fifteen minutes later she heard a car beep its horn and knew it was her ride. She managed to get outside in just a bit of time and then was inside the cabby car.

"where to miss?"

She didn't feel like talking. She didn't even know if she could form regular sentences. handing him a piece of paper that she had written his address on he nodded his head and began driving. The driver seemed of a younger age. Maybe in his late twenties. He was humming to himself but every now and again would sneak glances at Charlie.

"Is everything okay? You seem upset or hurt?"

He had a kind of suspicion in his voice. one that Charlie didn't care to hear. She quickly snapped from any thoughts and said harshly.

"What are you my cab driver or my therapist? I...I don't need you to worry or q..question. I'm fine thank you very m..m..much." She cursed her stupid disability and opened the door the instant the car pulled up to the house. She reached for her money but he just waved his hand.

"its okay. I've had a busy night. This ride is on me."

He was sweet. After the way she spoke to him and he was offering to let her get away without charge. She felt horrible. Giving an awkward smile she voiced.

"Look I have a lot on my mind. I promise I'm not usually this much of a bytch. Sorry about the way I snapped."

"No problem beautiful. See you later." Placing the car back in drive he began to drive away. Taking a deep breath Charlie made way up the three stairs present and walked over to the door. Knocking several times she waited for him to answer. She prayed for someone to come and hoped that just maybe he would be home. Come on now it wasn't a weekend where the hell could he possibly be. Just as she was about to give up hope and start her venture back down the porch stairs the doorknob was quick to turn and an older male was standing there in greeting. For a minute she thought she had gotten the wrong place. Stepping a few motions backward she counted the houses present beside this one and then shrugged her shoulders. This was his house. But who was this man present? Furrowing her eyes in confusion she cocked her head to the side and voiced her wonder.

"Ugh is this where Lucas Scott lives?"

"Yes it is dear but I'm afraid Luke's out."

Out. Lovely. She had really wished he could be there. She just needed him at the moment. Needed to see his eyes sparkle and his smile bring any sort of comfort deep inside her. She continuously nodded her head. Trying to make sense and cope with all that was taking place. It took her a few moments before she realized that the elder man was looking to her. That his eyes were traveling across her wounded face and soaring into each of her bruises. Feeling a bit uncomfortable her voice broke out a bit quickly.

"Do you know when he'll be back? Maybe I can wait? If...it...w..won't be to long I mean, I could wait."

"Well I'm not sure that would be a good idea. He went out with that young lady of his. Brooke was her name? Yeah they went out on a date. I'm not really expecting him anytime soon."

Figures the only time she needed Lucas and he was out on a date with that skank. She flinched even thinking about the fun they were having. He was probably in heaven while here she was burning in a fiery hell. Shivering a bit as the wind blew around her she looked to the sky trying to keep the tears from springing up within her eyes.

"I uh, guess I'll just be heading h..home then. I'll be seeing you around. Can you m..maybe just let L..L…Luke know I dropped by?" She grimaced in the way her words spilled. They sounded so broken, choppy, and in several stuttering patters. She felt ashamed in her appearance and demeanor and squeezed her fists tightly against one another keeping herself from shedding tears of embarrassment.

"Of course sweetheart what was your name again?" He stepped closer to her and brought out a hand in greeting. Looking at the warm welcome and his polite smile caused her to crack. Why was this perfect stranger treating her with more loving care than her own father? Biting her lip and letting out a tiny whimper she looked to the sky before releasing a shaky breath.

"Charlie. I'm Charlie and it was really nice to meet you. I… "Turning away from his outstretched hand she made way down the porched stairs and onto the pavement. Shaking her head and wiping furiously at the spilling tears she tried to move away quickly. With only two steps made her body buckled and her hands instantly grasped her sides. Bending herself over she howled as two stronger arms came from behind her protectively keeping her from retracting downward.

"Whoa…whoa, hey you alright?" Lifting her slightly the older mans eyes burned into her own. Unlike that of what she was used to seeing she was met with a pure genuinely sincere gaze.

"Let's get you inside for a minute. It doesn't look like you are all that okay." She wasn't able to disagree. The pain was far too strong and with each moving breath her lungs seemed to squeeze in exile. Lifting and arm to place around his neck she let him guide her into the safety and comfort home of Lucas' Scott. If only he had been her savior.