AN: So, I couldn't make you guys suffer through wondering anymore, and this chapter was sitting on my computer...so I present it to you. Reviews rock!
Chapter 8
I have begun to fight back, though it doesn't do much good. Now that the weather's bad, I don't move rocks anymore. Instead I'm treated to my own personal boot camp. After chores he puts me through countless crunches, push ups, jumping jacks, runs up and down the stairs. There's also the new obedience tests.
"Get in the tub." I lower myself into the freezing water without a word, shivering miserably. He laughs and leaves me there. I shiver and shake and know my lips are turning blue, but I don't dare come out. I stay in the tub until it actually raises to room temperature water, which is still pretty cold. I know I'm going hypothermic and I get out, deciding to face whatever consequence I get. I walk out dripping wet and he turns in anger, ripping his belt off his waist fluidly. I back up in fear until I back into the wall. He grins at my terror and grabs me, drags me to the table, and puts his foot on the chair. I end up over his knee and tensely waiting for the feel of leather. Instead, pain tears through my body and I scream, the same pain continues and I continue on like a banshee. He tears into me with the belt buckle and I feel the blood pouring from my back and buttocks. He then drops me down and drags me back into the bathroom, herding me into the tub forcefully. The water starts being polluted with red. I watch it, concentrating on the deepening red color instead of the cold. I shiver and shake until I lose energy from it and fall into an exhausted sleep right there in the bathtub, not caring I may slip and drown in my sleep. When I get out, I make a cocoon out of the sheets on my bed and curl up, trying to bring warmth back in my body. I end up with a cold for a week anyway.
I lower myself to the floor and push myself up, then bring myself down again. I don't dare feel the pang in my arms as I lower for my fiftieth push-up. I struggle on, ignoring the blow to my ribs he delivers with his boot. I continue until I think I'll burst, then he orders me on my back for crunches. The exercises go on for hours. I sit in my room and pull out a pack of cigarettes, I stole some from the store. I need them to calm my nerves. I slowly pull the smoke into my lungs and exhale. I continue even as he comes toward my room. He tears of my shirt and holds me to the bed, burning out every single cigarette in the pack on my back.
I look at my report card for second quarter numbly, knowing my parents would have a fit if they were still alive to see it. But they aren't, so what they might've done don't matter. Every single grade is either a D- or an F. I never realized the amount of work it takes to fail classes. It's a lot of work trying to not work. I put it on the table and drop my bag in my room, starting in on my chores. "Don't know why your school ever thought you were smart. You're the stupidest retard I've ever met!" He roars. I continue on unaffected.
"Are you listening to me? Answer me when I talk to you!"
"Yes sir" I respond meekly, but it doesn't save me from a tanning. I try to run as the belt flies at me, but it strikes anyway, we move throughout the house, him smashing things into my body as I desperately try to escape. His hands circle my neck and pull me off the floor, my legs flailing. I gasp for breath to no avail, the room starts to spin and the world goes black.
I sigh as the teacher frowns at my new cast, this time on my left arm. I take out my books and get ready for the day. Some lady I've never met comes in and calls my name. I get up and look at her expectantly from a safe distance. She starts walking and I follow silently. She leads me into a small office and sits behind the desk, motioning to the seats in front of it. I sit in one immediately and look at her anxiously.
"Ponyboy, several of the staff have noticed that you seem very…accident prone, and frankly we're concerned. You also seem malnourished. I need you to tell me if anything's going on." I say immediately,
"I just trip a lot, I don't have much of an appetite, I guess, since my parents…" she looks at me in concern.
"You know where to find me if you need to talk. Everything you say will be confidential as long as it doesn't risk your safety." I nod and exit the room, cursing the school counselor for being so nosy. I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I know it's not true, but I like to pretend. I slide into my seat and start doodling, it's much easier to fail if you're not paying attention.