Crystal's Heart

10 years ago [Part II]

Crystal's eyes cracked open, and she moved her fingers, but they were wrapped tightly behind her. She attempted to move her legs, but it was hopeless. Her light breaths echoed the cold, wet room.

She wanted to go home.

When she saw a man step forward, she opened her mouth to scream for help, but nothing came out.

"What should we do with her, sir?"

The man stared down at her.

He went down and moved the wet hair from the dried blood, "Ruffle her up a little bit, but make sure she doesn't pass out. I want her Dad to hear her sweet little voice."

Crystal released a tiny whimper as the man walked out. Salty tears drained down her red cheeks as the men surrounded her.

She's scared.

She's very scared.

One of the men went down, and she could hear a light exhaling. He ran his cold hand down her cheek as she shook her head. He grabbed her hair and pulled it back.

Crystal let out a silent scream.

It hurts.

Without a single warning, he slapped her.

It hurts.

He forced her tiny body to stand.

Help.

His hand covered her neck.

Help.

It tightens.

Help!

Crystal wiggled her body in an attempt to free herself, but it only caused his grip to tighten. Her muffled scream became a desperate gasp for air. Her vision blurred, and the tears rolled down her cheeks harder than ever.

Just when she thought it was over, he dropped her onto the floor.

Her head smashed against the concrete.

Crystal closes her eyes.

She wants to sleep.

They threw cold water on her body.

When they hit her again, she threw up the candies. Her face rolled into the vomit.

They lifted her limp body again, and soon, Crystal wished they'd kill her for her birthday.

When Crystal opened her eyes, she saw concrete and shoes from below. They threw her body on the ground.

"Crystal?" Her bruised eyes travel up to see her Dad. Crystal wants to cry for him, but her body refuses to listen. Her Dad grabbed her lifeless body and held it close, the tears dripping down his trembling chin and onto the dried blood. "Oh, my Crystal." His trembling red and brown hand grazed against her cheek very carefully, as if any amount of strength would've ended her. "What did they do to you?"

His wet eyes travel to the group in front of him, "What did you do to her!"

Crystal blocked out all the other voices in the room and concentrated on only one.

Her Dad.

With all the energy left inside her body, Crystal lifted her red hand and held onto him - warm.

Before Crystal could get another second in his arms, they ripped her away from him and threw her limp body on the floor.

"No. No." Emerson begged, "Not her. Please, not her."

Crystal thought it was weird.

"Please." Emerson's head pressed against the cement, "Don't hurt her."

His cry breaks her heart.