***TRIGGER WARNING. STORY MENTIONS RAPE IN DETAIL MULTIPLE TIMES.***
I was unsure of my decision the moment my feet touched the ground. This was not Arizona, that was for sure. It was very green. That was the best way to describe it. It was green and wet. I thought I was prepared in advance for the poor weather, but I guess I was holding onto the hope that it would be different than I had remembered previously.
Atlas whined softly, and I glanced down at him. He was such a gorgeous dog, a big, black german shepherd. He rarely whined or vocalized much at all. I took it as a sign that he was nervous about our predicament as well, though I am sure that is not what would be on a dog's mind.
Charlie rounded the corner then. He didn't seem very outwardly excited, but I knew it was just because that's who he was. He was happy to see me. He just didn't express things very well. He wasn't a 'feelings' type of guy.
"How is Atlas?" Charlie asked. I found it interesting he asked about my dog before asking about me. I glanced down at him again, my beautiful dog in his shiny red vest.
"He's good. Just also getting used to the weather, you know?" I replied. It was moreso me getting used to the weather though. I was sure Atlas would adapt to any environment. He was just that kind of dog.
Charlie nodded his head, and then he turned and led us to his police cruiser. Riding with style, I guess. He was a cautious driver, almost to the point of being annoying, but not quite there yet. I tried to lean my head back and relax.
We didn't talk much on the way to Charlie's house. I would be living there, but it would always just be Charlie's house. It wasn't my house. It wasn't my home. I didn't have a home.
It was green everywhere. So much foliage. So much. I didn't think it would be possible to get used to such an environment. It was chilly too. Back in Arizona, the weather was much warmer, especially at this time of year. But I had to forget about Arizona, my mother, and her boyfriend. There was nothing there for me. I had to move on. It was straight up unhealthy and frankly dangerous to keep in contact with them. I closed my eyes, trying to make their memories go away.
It seemed to take forever to get to Charlie's house. It looked exactly as I remembered it, except there was a truck sitting in the driveway. I wondered if someone else was here or if Charlie had finally bought another car for himself.
I didn't think I'd be excited to see the house, but I was. I think I was mostly excited because I wanted out of the car. I didn't bring much with me. It was easy to grab all of my things in one trip.
"Need any help?" Charlie asked.
I glanced at him briefly but denied his offer, "I can handle it. Thanks though."
He unlocked the door slowly, which irritated me, but I kept quiet and respectful. I just wanted to lay in bed and forget about everything. I just wanted to forget.
Charlie walked to my room with me. He didn't say much. He didn't do anything. I honestly appreciated the silence, even if it was slightly inappropriate for our current situation. I took off Atlas's vest and set it gently on the bed.
"You gonna be ready to start the day at school tomorrow?" he finally gruffed.
I set the clothes I was unpacking down and looked over at him. "I'm ready, but I won't lie. I am not super fond of going to school in the police cruiser."
He smiled. "I already got that covered for you."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"That red truck out front, that's yours," Charlie announced.
"No way. Are you serious?!" I was completely taken aback. Atlas barked. I turned and patted his head. "Don't worry. I just got excited." That seemed to satisfy him. He went and laid on the floor next to the bed. Charlie glanced at him, but said nothing. He wasn't fond of the idea of having a dog in the house, but this wasn't something up for debate. I needed Atlas.
"I'm serious. I hope you will love it. Sorry I couldn't get anything nicer." He seemed embarrassed, so I did something I never do, I reached out and hugged him.
"It's perfect, Dad," I assured him.
He seemed just as uncomfortable as me with the close contact. We pulled away quickly.
"I'm going to shower and get ready for bed," I declared, grabbing my bath supplies.
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning then," Charlie said, backing up out of my room.
It was going to kind of suck having to share a single bathroom, but I would survive. I grabbed my things and hopped into the shower. I was done quickly, as I was absolutely exhausted from my trip. I walked back into my bedroom and got dressed. I then grabbed Atlas's food and fed and watered him. I sighed heavily. I didn't want to take him outside, but it wasn't really optional.
I waited for Atlas to finish eating, and then I grabbed his leash. He immediately was animated. "Good boy. It's time to go outside."
I leashed him up and walked down the stairway, nearly tripping twice. We made it safely outside, and he went to the bathroom quickly. I felt bad then about making him hold it, but it was too late now. A lesson learned.
I jumped in bed as soon as we made it back upstairs. It didn't take long, and I fell asleep. And then I dreamed…
Immediately, terror overwhelmed me. I stumbled toward the front door, hoping to get outside and to safety. I wasn't religious, but I prayed anyway. I begged God to let me live.
He grabbed me by my hair and threw me aside. "Nowhere left to go, you little bitch."
I breathed heavily, sobbing and scared. "You won't get away with this. My mother won't allow it."
"Your mother won't ever know about this," he slurred, incredibly drunk. "Unless you want Atlas to have an accident."
I closed my eyes tightly. I had no choice. I had to get through this. I continued crying as he yanked my pants off. I gave up the struggle and laid there, a dead weight.
Flashbacks hit me. I remembered back to my early childhood, back when this had happened to me before.
I felt him throw me onto the bed, and he began to get undressed. I continued crying, but I said nothing. And then I woke up.