The closer I got, the faster my mind was racing. Of all the scenes that could take place. What I was going to say to her. Would there be violence? Or would it just be us yelling? Should I follow her home and take my speech there or let it happen in front of everyone. I didn't know what was going to happen but I tried to prepare myself. I was almost there. I could hear her voice. The voice that caused me so much pain. I couldn't make out Mother's words and I didn't want too. I saw police, making my stomach knot up.
"How dare you take my daughter!" She yelled, fanning her thin face. Two cops were beside her, waiting to see what Tomo would say. He was standing by his front door, his arms crossed. He had his 'bad boy' persona on and wasn't backing down. "Kids like you should be locked up." She motioned to the police.
"Listen, old lady, I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't 'take' anybody." He frowned, looking clearly irritated.
She scoffed, "Who raised you, I should teach your mother how to give a child manors!" Tomo was pissed. He didn't like that his mother was brought up.
"Says the woman who beats her-" I finally intervened. I was standing between the two. Mother's eyes were wide with shock and Tomo looked even more pissed. Looking at him, I saw him mouth, "you shouldn't be here." I could only frown at him as I felt Mother rush me into her arms.
"There you are! I thought I would never see you again!" She cried. I knew better. Those tears were fake. She wanted to crowd to see her being the perfect concerned mother. I tried to wiggle out of her grasp but it was like iron; I couldn't break free. Looking up her made me sick. Seeing her familiar features after so long made me realize how much I looked like her. Only thing was for our eyes, her's were black as coal. I may look like her but I will never be her! I managed to get out her grip, standing in front of Tomo. Having him behind me made it feel like he was giving me courage. "Dear?"
I breathed, then spoke with a strict tone. "Stop acting like that."
"What do you mean, darling?" Her eyes darted around, starting to see people were staring.
I took a step closer, "You know what I mean, stop acting like you cared. You've never cared for me!" I saw a flash of anger go through her eyes but she didn't break character. "I left home because I got tired of you hurting me." My words made the cops weary. I rather them not be here but I couldn't wait for us to get somewhere secluded.
"I would never hurt my sweet child." She fluttered her eyelashes at the police, "You're just rebelling because of your age." She reached for my hand, "Now let's go home before it gets late. Your father is worried sick."
I yanked myself away from her, "No!" My voice was mixed with anger and fear. I didn't want to imagine what would happen if I was taken home. People whispered around us, making my mother anxious. Tomo stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Listen, lady, she wants to stay so leave her be," Tomo said.
Mother's eyes were locked on his hand, not happy it was touching me. She then smiled an evil grin, one I was familiar with. It sent shivers through my body, I wanted to flee but I remained still. Tomo squeezed me, knowing I was nervous. "I know why you ran away and spouting such nonsense." Her voice said with almost a purr, "You ran away from home so you can be with your 'boyfriend'. You think telling me lies will convince me to allow you stay with him?"
The police glanced at one another, starting to agree with her. I was losing this battle. "That's not it!" I protested, "I ran away from home because you abuse me and I couldn't take it anymore."
"If I abuse you like you claim, then where is the damage? Proof?"
My eyes widened, I didn't have proof anymore. When I woke up from dying, all of my injuries were gone. I didn't have my scars or bruises anymore. I was starting to look like a typical teen, yelling at my parent because I didn't want to go home. What could I do? How was I going to fight back if I wasn't even allowed to speak my mind? "Well..." I stuttered.
"Come home, before you get in trouble." Her words were the truth. She laced it with venom and it seeped into me. My defense was failing and I could no longer feel Tomo's hand as I was sinking deeper into defeat. I could hear the gossip around us.
"Just another spoiled brat."
"She should listen to her Mother!"
"I wouldn't let my child act that way."
I wasn't a bad child. The thought ran through my head. I was always good...I did what I was told. Made good grades, never went out, I always listened to whatever Mother told me. Their words dug into my like blades. It hurt worse than being hit. It stung more than Mother's hands. It wouldn't stop. They kept talking, the words only grew worse as my silence nagged them on. Looking through the crowd, I saw a familiar face. It was Takashi. Did he follow me? He was concerned and started pushing through the crowd. I didn't want him to see me like this. It was humiliating.
Tomo stepped forward, "I took care of them."
One of the police officered stepped in front of Mother, "Sir, I'll need you to go back inside. This is a family matter." Then he looked at me, "You're going to have to return home, young lady."
"I can't go back there!" I protested.
I sensed Tomo growing angrier by the minute, "I won't let her take Hara from me." He gritted his teeth. The cop's hand motioned for his stick at his waist. This was going to turn into a giant mess if someone didn't do something. I knew I had to be the one. No one was going to get hurt because of me. I didn't want to go back, I couldn't go back. However, did I even have a choice? Tomo was my savior. I wasn't going to drag him into this.
I grabbed his hand, pulling away from the officer. He protested and tried to get away from my grip. I looked at him with pleading eyes. He could only stare before growling under his breath, "Hara..."
"Please," I begged.
He was so angry and conflicted that his punch a hole through his door, his knuckles bleeding from the splinters. "Fine! Just leave!" His words hurt but I knew this was for the best. The cops were about to step in but I spoke up.
"I'll go home. So this matter is settled." I gave them the best smile I could muster.
Takashi broke through everyone, panting and not understanding what was going on. He looked at my mother with confusion as she smiled back with victory. I didn't say a word to him as I joined her side, not wanting to look at anyone anymore. I had lost this fight. I didn't even have a chance. Takashi tried to get to me but the police stepped forward.
"Okay, nothing to see here!" They shouted out. The crowd slowly dispersed, acting like nothing happened. When everyone was almost gone, I saw Kyoya. He was leaning against the wall of a building, smiling at me. Don't tell me... He was the one who called Mother? How could he?
You're going to regret this.
His words echoed in my head. I was the cause of this. This was all my fault. If I had kept my mouth shut, this would have never happened. Nowing that I was the cause, it made me feel even worse. I wanted to die all over again. My brown eyes instinctively went to Tomo. He was always my comfort, but I too now lost him. He was angry. I didn't fight to be with him. I didn't give it my all to stay. The moment I saw him in danger, I cowered down like a dog. His eyes burned into me, I could tell he felt betrayed.
"Let's go home." I felt her slender hand on my shoulder, "Thank you for everything, officer's." She led me away from the scene. I had to tear my eyes away from Tomo and Takashi. What had I done...
The door slammed behind me as Mother was dragging me back my arm. Thank god, I couldn't feel pain. She then stopped and I braced myself, "You little slut!" Her hand landed on my cheek, making me almost lose my footing. I didn't look or speak to her. "I can't believe my own daughter would run off with a boy! Everyone saw too! Oh, I'm going to hear from everyone tomorrow on how my daughter is nothing but a whore!" She went in for another slap, but I stood firm. It hit me, grunted just from my head flying to the other side.
She passed around the hall, "How can I fix this?" She pulled at her hair, "What am I going to do?"
"I didn't do anything," I said, holding my cheek. It didn't hurt but it felt weird.
"Shut up!" She pulled my hair, making me almost fall to my knees. "I don't want to hear any more from you. What do you think would have happened if those cops believed you?!" I wish they had believed me. They would have rescued me from this hell. From the very demon that was hurting me right now.
I heard some footsteps coming from Mother's bedroom. Father stepped out, looking as tired as usual. "Honey?" His tired deep voice rang out. Coming around the corner, he saw me and his eyes widened in shock. "Hara?" He then saw Mother's fist full of my hair, "What's going on?!"
"Father!" I cried out. However, he was frozen in place. He didn't know what to do. Mother only tightened her grasp and smiled at him.
"Now dear, I'm only dealing with our little troublemaker. You should get some rest before work." Her fake sweet-voice sickened me. I can't take this anymore! I grabbed her tightened hand and forced her fingers out of my hair.
"Don't touch me!" I screamed, getting myself away from her.
She growled, "How dare you yell at me! Get back over here and act like a proper daughter." Her demanding tone shook my core but I remained firm. My eyes drifted to Father who could only stand and watch. He too was making me sick. How could a father stand and watch his own child get abused? I loved him but this was enough. My body shook, my head was foggy and I was biting so hard on my tongue, I swore I almost bit it off.
"I'm sick of both of you!" I spat, "I can't continue to go through this anymore. Knowing that I was born from a demon and a coward makes me want to vomit." My harsh words made Father gasp. He didn't want to believe what I was saying.
"But, Hara..." Father whispered.
"Shut up!" I snapped, "I refuse to listen." Mother tried to grab for me but I dodged her pale hand. "Mother, you are one of the worst people on this planet. I don't know what I did to you, to make you think it was okay for me to get punished. I tried so hard to gain your love. I wanted to be the perfect daughter. I did whatever I was told. I made good grades, I stayed home. I even studied so much that sleep was foreign to me!"
Mother laughed under her breath, "You could never be perfect. You were nothing but an embarrassment."
"To you, perhaps. But I'm done trying to get your approval. I've changed and have met so many people who care about me!"
It looked like she wanted to laugh until she couldn't breathe, "I think it's time you go to your room before you start talking about more lies." Again, I moved out of her way. I felt that now familiar rage, building inside me. I wanted to attack her, to hurt her the way she's always harmed me. However, it was worse than that. I want to really hurt her. I wanted to punch, kick and even sink my teeth into her. Right when I was about to snap, we heard the front door open. Seika snuck in the front door. She was wearing a big pair of shades and carrying a large bag.
Her eyes landed on Mother and me. "Hara?" She then looked at Mother, "Mother? What is going on?" She slipped off her shades and hugged her bag closely.
"Nothing my love, just getting rid of the troublemaker." She smiled, trying hard to keep a straight face. I could read the conflict on my sister's face. Like she was having a battle with herself. Mother was waiting for her answer and I braced myself for the harsh words to come from not only Mother's mouth but Seika's as well. However, the silence continued. "My dear daughter..." Mother's eyes grew dark and Seika flinched.
I had to help her. I couldn't stand here and do nothing! "Are you gonna hit me too?" I looked at Seika with pleading eyes. I was begging her to hit me. I never thought I would actually want to get hit. I had too. I needed my sister to keep the image of an attacker so Mother wouldn't suspect something. "Huh?!"
Seika dropped her bag roughly, her hand raised to strike me. As I closed my eyes, ready to feel her palm against my skin. It didn't come. Opening my eyes, I saw Seika's gaze on her bag. It had fallen over and what scattered on the floor was bottles, clothes, and diapers. Oh no... I instantly faced Mother who's face was red.
"What the hell is this?"