I slowly opened my eyes, blinking.

I heard a beeping noise.

Looking beside me, I saw a couple machines. My hand had an IV in it.

I leaned my head back onto the pillow and closed my eyes, sighing.

"Hey." The voice was emotionless.

My head shot up. "Nathan?"

"Melissa wanted me to check on you to see how you're doing. You look okay to me."

"Nathan?"

He looked at me.

"Is she really mad at me?"

"You think?"

"Could you tell her I'm sorry? Please."

"Sure." He headed for the door.

"Nathan, wait."

"What?" He was annoyed.

"Where's my father?"

Before walking out of the room and into Melissa's, he said, "Melissa stabbed him."

"Is he okay?"

"He's dead."

_______________________________________________________________________

"You'll be able to leave later today."

"Thanks."

The nurse walked out of the room.

I lay my head back onto the pillow.

I was happy I could leave. But then again, I wasn't. I'd have to go into foster care.

All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door.

"What do you want?" I said, coldly.

The door opened, and Melissa stepped inside.

"Mel?! Oh, sorry about that. I thought you were someone else."

"Hey, Jackson."

"Um, I wanna apologize for what I did to you." I felt a little awkward in front of her.

"Why'd you do it, Jackson?"

I was quiet for a moment. "Because I was scared, Mel. I was…I was scared."

"So was I."

"But you don't know my father, Mel. He was gonna kill me."

"So you decided it was better to rape someone?"

"Yes." I thought for a moment. "I mean, no. It's not. I didn't…" I was unable to say the words. "…do it."

"But you were going to."

"Mel, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly. I didn't know what to do. What else can I say besides 'I'm sorry?'"

She was quiet.

"I really am, Mel. I'm really sorry. What can I do to prove that to you? Just tell me, and I'll do it. Anything."

She didn't answer.

"Please, Mel. I'm sorry. I-I..." A tear fell down my cheek. "I'm sorry, Mel."

There was a long silence as I wiped away the tear, along with the others that followed.

Melissa finally spoke. "So you've lived like that all your life?"

I looked at her. "Most of it."

Tears fell from her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me, Jackson?"

"I'm sorry, Mel. I couldn't."

"Why not?"

I sighed. "When I was little, I told a teacher. She reported it. But there was never enough evidence. My father found out. The beatings got worse, and..." I trailed off.

"I'm sorry, Jackson." She pulled me into a hug.

I winced, but didn't pull away. I squeezed her tightly. The tears fell from my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Mel. I didn't mean to do those things to you. I'm really sorry."

"I forgive you, Jackson."

"Thank you, Mel. Thank you so much." We stayed in that position for a while, comforting each other.