"Melissa's here to see you, Cody. Remember: she thinks that you're really sick."

"Yes, sir."

My father threw a blanket at me so Melissa wouldn't know that I was abused.

After a moment, Melissa appeared in the doorway, carrying a kitchen chair. "Hey, Jackson."

"Hey, Mel."

"Are you feeling any better?" She put the chair next to the mattress, then took a seat.

"Not really."

"I'm sorry to hear that. You haven't been coughing up more blood lately, have you?"

"No. I'm done with that."

"I'm glad." There was a long silence until she said, "I can't believe you dropped out of school."

I didn't say anything.

"Why did you, Jackson?"

My father made me.

"I don't know. It's been over a month. I'd have too much make-up work. And it doesn't look like I'm gonna get better any time soon. So I figured, 'Why not?'"

"Jackson, you're gonna get better. I know you will." She sat next to me on the mattress. "You have to." She pulled me into a hug.

I tried my hardest not to yell as her hands rubbed the belt wounds on my back. I wanted her to stop, but she never did. So I pulled away from her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good." She scooted closer to me, then suddenly jumped up. "Ow!"

"Mel, you okay?"

"Something stabbed into my leg." She bent over the mattress, moving the blanket around a bit, until she came across a syringe. She picked it up. "Jackson, what is this?"

"Uh…" I stared at the needle.

"This isn't what I think it is, is it?"

I was silent.

"Are you doing drugs, Jackson?" It was almost a whisper.

I didn't say anything.

"Answer me, Jackson!"

"Mel, I can explain."

"You do. I don't believe this. No wonder you're sick."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah. You're sorry that you got caught. Why didn't you tell me about this?"

I couldn't think of anything to say. "I'm sorry, Mel."

She started pacing. Her eyes landed on the ashtray and the pile of empty beer cans behind the door. She stared at me.

"Mel, I'm sorry."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Mel…"

"How long, Jackson?!"

"I'm really sorry, Mel. I-"

"Jackson!"

I immediately got quiet.

"Answer the question! How long has this been going on?!"

I sighed, avoiding her eyes. Hesitantly, I said, "A few weeks."

She was furious. "What?! A few weeks?!"

"Mel, I'm sorry. I-I…I'm sorry, Mel." I was fidgeting.

"Does your dad know about this?"

"Mel, no. Please. Don't. Don't do this to me, Mel. I'll stop. I promise I'll stop." I knew that my father would be mad at me if he knew that Melissa had found out.

Melissa headed out of the room.

"Mel, wait. Please. I-I'm sorry."

She was already out the door.

"Please, don't tell him, Mel!"

After a minute, Melissa came back into the room, my father following behind her.

He was furious.

"Sir, I-"

"What is wrong with you, Cody?!"

I knew my father was yelling at me for Melissa finding out. But, as far as Melissa knew, my father was yelling at me for the drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

"I'm sorry, sir." I couldn't take my fearful eyes away from my father's.

He spoke to Melissa, still staring at me. "Melissa, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

"Gladly." She stormed out of the room.

"Mel…wait. Please. I-I'm sorry. Melissa!"

Once she slammed the door shut, my father began yelling at me.

I knew Melissa could still hear him, even from outside in her car. But I never heard her footsteps leave the house.

"How could you?!"

"Sir, I'm sorry. I didn't know that I left it-"

"Shut up, Cody!"

I hung my head. "Yes, sir."

"You're just--hey! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" He grabbed my chin, violently pulling it up.

"Yes, sir."

"You're a worthless piece of s***! I've always hated you, Cody!"

"I know, sir."

"You're just like her!"

I knew exactly who he was talking about.

*FLASHBACK*

"I love you, Cody."

"I love you, too, Mom."

She kissed my forehead. "Goodnight."

"'Night, Mom."

All of a sudden, she fell onto the floor.

I looked down at her, seeing a knife stabbed through her back. My head rose fearfully to see my father standing over her.

He pulled me out of bed, throwing me onto the floor.

This day is where everything began.

*END FLASHBACK*

"You're just like your f***ing mother!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I can change. Please, give me another chance."

"You've had enough chances, Cody! I've tried to teach you. But you don't listen."

"I'm sorry, sir. I will next time. I promise."

"No. There's not gonna be a next time for you, Cody. I'm gonna kill you, just like I killed your mother!" He came at me in one quick motion, pulling me to my feet. He slapped me hard.

I fell to the floor. "I'm sorry, sir."

"'Sorry' isn't good enough anymore, Cody." He kicked my side, harder than any other time I've been beaten. He didn't stop.

"Please, sir! Don't kill me! Please! I'll do anything!"

"Are you raising your voice at me, Cody?!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry."

"You broke the rules…again!"

"Sir, I'm sorry."

He picked up the chair that Melissa had been sitting on and slammed it against my body.

I couldn't stop myself from yelling out.

"You just broke another rule!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

He pulled me up by my shirt, then slammed me against the door forcefully.

The door knob stabbed into my back, scratching the belt wounds. "Ahh!"

He threw me onto the ground. "You did it again!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry."

He came toward me slowly, an evil grin on his face.

I pushed myself back with my hands.

When he was standing in front of me, he kicked my lower stomach.

"Ahhhh!" I doubled up in pain.

He wound his leg back, about to kick again, when Melissa rushed into the room, knife in hand.

"Stop!" she commanded. "Leave him alone!"

"Mel…get outta here." I could barely speak.

She gripped the knife, her hand trembling.

My father stepped toward her, and she took a step back.

He smiled, moving closer. He grabbed Melissa, taking the knife from her hands, then pushed her onto the floor.

"Sir, don't!"

He went to the door and locked it from the outside, then stuck the key into his pocket. He shut the door, turning back to us. "I guess I get two lucky victims, today." He picked Melissa up and threw her into the closet, locking the door. "I'll save the best for last." He turned toward me with a mischievous grin. My father pulled me to my feet, then threw me onto the mattress.

I could hear Melissa banging on the closet door.

"Let me out!" she yelled. "Please!"

My father got on top of me.

"Mel, it'll be okay. I promise. You'll be okay."

His lips brushed my cheek.

"Jackson, I'm scared. Please, get me out of here."

"I will, Mel. I promise."

I had to get Melissa out of here.

And I had the perfect plan to do it.

My father dragged Melissa out of the small closet. He came toward me, pulling me by my shirt collar, and threw me into it. He took a key from his pocket, locking me inside.

"Sir! Please, let me out! I'm sorry!"

"Jackson!" Melissa screeched.

"Mel! Sir, please, let her go! She didn't do nothing! It's my fault! Please, sir!"

"Jackson, help me!"

"Mel, it's okay. You'll be okay. I'll get you out of here. I promise." I banged my fists against the door. "Please, sir! Don't do this!"

"Get off me! Leave me alone!" It was Melissa. "Don't touch me!"

"Sir, please! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, don't do this!"

"Ahhhhhhhh!" Melissa screamed.

"Melissa!" I kicked the door. "Hold on, Mel." I rammed the door a couple of times before getting it open. I fell out of the closet and onto the floor. I quickly stood.

My father lay on top of Melissa, whose hands were tied with my shoestrings to the strong cloth handles on each side of the mattress.

I kicked his side.

He rolled onto the floor.

I jumped on top of him, punching.

All of a sudden, I notice a silver glimmer in his hand. I tried to get up, but it was too late.

My father stabbed the knife into my arm.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" I rolled over, leaning on the wall, clutching my bleeding arm.

He kicked my lower stomach with all his strength.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

My father stopped, heading for Melissa.

"Sir, please! Do whatever you want to me. But, please, don't hurt her. Please!"

He pulled me to my feet. "Fine. Then you do it."

"What?"

"You heard me! Do it!" He threw me onto the mattress.

I landed on top of Melissa. "I'm so sorry, Mel. I didn't mean to hurt you." I pushed myself up.

"What did I say, Cody?!"

"Dad!"

He pushed me backwards.

I fell next to Melissa, my head on her arm.

My father bent over me so our heads were only inches away. There was fire in his eyes. "What have I told you about calling me that?! You're an embarrassment, Cody! No one would ever want you as a son! I don't even want you as my son! You're lucky I let you live this long. You call me 'sir.' I'm not your father anymore. I never was. You got that?!"

I quickly nodded. "Yes, sir. I understand. I'm sorry, sir."

"Good. Now do it!" He pointed to Melissa.

I looked over at her, our heads next to each other.

She was surprised to see how scared I really was of my father. She was hurt by his words to me.

He kicked my lower stomach. "Do it!"

"Yes, sir." I got on top of Melissa, ignoring the pain. I froze when I looked into her eyes.

She was scared.

But so am I. What else am I supposed to do? I have to listen to my father.

"Do it!"

"Yes, sir."

Melissa's eyes were wide with fear.

"I'm so sorry, Mel." I kissed her, forcing my tongue into her mouth, exploring.

She sobbed.

When Melissa bit down on my tongue, I remove it and began nibbling her neck.

I rubbed her leg, then slowly moved my hand up her thigh, stopping to unzip her jeans.

I got carried away.

I continued sliding my hand up her soft body, while my other hand gripped her butt.

I slowly unbuttoned her shirt, then pulled it open.

I was breathing heavily. My mouth reconnected with hers, biting her lip. I put my tongue into her mouth again, hoping she wouldn't bite it.

Now to put this plan into action…

I lifted my tongue, letting the key I'd taken from my father when he'd raped me drop into her mouth.

"Get to it, Cody," my father said.

I reached my arms around Melissa, about to unclasp her bra.

Suddenly, I stopped. I rested my head below her chest, tears streaming down my face.

"Cody, you were doing great. Finish it!" my father commanded.

I lifted my head back up, staring into Melissa's eyes.

She couldn't stop crying. She was terrified.

"Finish it, Cody!"

A tear fell from my eye and landed on her cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb.

"Do it! Now!"

"I can't, sir!"

My father yanked my hair, pulling my to my feet. He pushed me away. "Strip."

"What?"

"Do it!"

"Sir-"

"Now."

"But, sir-"

"Now!"

I looked down at the Asian that lay on the mattress.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she screamed for help that wouldn't show.

"Cody!"

I flinched at my father's monstrous tone, then brought my head up to look at him. "Yes, sir?"

"What did I tell you to do?"

"To strip, sir."

"How many times did I tell you?"

"Four, sir."

"How many times should I have to tell you?"

"One, sir."

"So why didn't you do what I said?" When I didn't speak, he continued. "Huh? You embarrassed in front of your girlfriend?" He paused. "Answer me!"

"Yes, sir."

He smirked. "Good."

"Yes, sir."

"Did I ask for your opinion?!" he snapped.

I jumped back a bit. "No, sir."

"Now strip."

"Yes, sir." I began pulling off my shirt.

"And, since I'm feeling generous, I'll let you keep your boxers on."

"Thank you, sir." I tried to keep my mind off of Melissa as I unbuttoned my pants and slid them down.

My father grabbed my arm and spun me around, pushing me up against the wall, my back toward him.

I could hear a clanking noise as he removed his belt.

I knew what was coming next.

I squeezed my eyes closed, placing my palms on the wall to support me, standing as if I were being checked by a police officer. I winced each time my father whipped me. I could hear the belt fly through the air before it came into contact with my boxers.

As much as I tried to stop it, a tear escaped my eye, running down my cheek. I sniffled.

"Why you crying, Cody?" He move the belt higher, hitting my back now. "Huh? Answer me!"

My voice was soft. "You're hurting me, sir."

"Good."

The belt came at me harder.

I looked down. I couldn't keep the teardrops from falling. They landed on the floor.

"What is the number one rule of this house, Cody?"

"No crying, sir."

"Exactly. So quit being a baby."

"Yes, sir." I lifted my head to face the ceiling, closing my eyes. I tried to stop crying. I really did. But I couldn't. And this made me cry even more. All those tears that were never shed were finally coming out.

I immediately felt the belt wrap around my neck.

My father tightened it behind me, squeezing.

I gasped for air through the sobs that choked through my lips.

After a moment, he pulled the belt away. "Don't move!"

I could hear him in the closet.

It sounded as if he were breaking the wall.

But I didn't dare turn around. I was shaking and sobbing.

"Jackson?" Melissa's quiet voice was trembling.

I ignored her.

"Jackson? Please. Look at me."

Hesitantly, I did.

"Please. Help me. Please. Please." She was terrified. "Please."

My voice cracked. "I…I can't."

"You don't want me to die, do you?"

"No."

"Then help me. Please. Please."

I sighed shakily, then checked to see if my father was watching. When the coast was clear, I forced my hands away from the wall, ignoring the pain in my back as I bent over to untie her hands.

I finished one and was about to move on to the next hand when I fell over Melissa. "Ahhhhhhhhh!"

My father had ripped the wooden shelf from the closet, then he'd hit me from behind. He did this several more times.

I tried to crawl over Melissa, but failed. "Ahhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh!"

My father gripped my hair and tossed me into the corner.

I looked up, watching him fearfully as he came at me. "Please. Please. Please, sir. Please." I lifted my hand in an attempt to block the blow.

The man grabbed it, then swung the plywood under-handed to hit my ribs.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" I squirmed, trying to get out of the corner as he beat me.

He pulled my arm to drag me onto my knees and my free hand, then continuously hit my bottom with the thick wood.

After a couple minutes, he yanked me to my feet, then pushed me against the wall. "Stand still."

I put myself back into my previous position, placing my palms on the wall.

My father swung the wood as if it were a baseball bat.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

He hit even harder, doing this several more times.

After a few minutes, the wood broke into two smaller pieces.

Furious, he shoved me onto the mattress.

I landed on top of Melissa. But there was no time to move, for my father's belt slashed my back. I winced, pushing against the girl, my head hidden in her hair that rested on the side of her neck.

The man slung the belt several more times. "Move over, Cody. I gotta teach Melissa a lesson."

"No."

The metal belt buckle made contact with my skin, its hard surface earning a yell from me when it hit.

"What did you say to me?!"

"No, sir. You're not gonna hurt her." I looked into her eyes and spoke softly. "I've already done enough. I'm so sorry, Mel." I pushed myself up a bit and continued to untie her other hand. "I'm really sorry. I…I just…I didn't…please…Mel…" I broke down, sobbing. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain in my back, soon realizing that my father had stabbed me. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I fell against Melissa again.

I struggled to push myself up. I crawled off of Melissa so she could get out of here.

She stood up and ran for the door, her hands now free.

My father headed toward her.

I grabbed his foot, causing him to trip.

He kicked my face.

I let go of him.

Melissa tried to open the door, but it was locked. She remembered the key. She was about to spit it onto her hand when my father stood up, then pulled her by her hair.

She fell backwards, landing on my back, pressing the knife in deeper. She quickly rolled off.

"Mel?" My voice was barely audible. "I'm so sorry, Mel."

My breathing gradually slowed, then stopped.