Until The End

Chapter Four

It's dark. Why is it so dark? I was just talking to Jerome. I passed out. Okay. Why am I not awake? Open your eyes. Open your eyes! OPEN YOUR EYES!

"I think she's waking up! Nurse!" a distant voice yells.

"Her eyes are opening, I can tell she wants to wake up." another voice says.

I open my eyes. It's bright in here. "Where am I?" I whisper.

"Hello Willow, you're in the hospital. You have a small concussion. Now that you're awake, we are going to monitor you for another hour and you should be good to go home." says a calm male voice from above me.

"Who are you?" I question.

He chuckles, "I'm Doctor Tucker." he answers simply.

"Willow, I am so glad you're awake. You really scared me." Jerome says appearing beside me, he grabs my hand and smiles at me.

The doctor leaves the room as Uncle Jake appears in the doorway with a small smile on his face.

"How are you feeling sweetie?" he asks as he approaches my bed.

"I'm okay, I just have a headache. I'm ready to get out of here." I sigh.

"I bet you are." He chuckles.

Something feels off but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

I sit in silence, it's quite peaceful. Smelling the sanitized room, the bare walls that feel like a warm hug in a weird way, I feel comfort. I stay silent for the remainder of the hour and wait for the doctor to come in.

"How are you feeling Willow?" Doctor Tucker asks as he comes into the room. I get a better look at him this time. His brown hair is nicely combed back, his eyes a beautiful light green, and his small smile as he looks at me is perfect.

Stop thinking about the doctor, you'll never see him again anyway.

"I'm feeling better." I answer shortly, although I'm not I know if I don't get home soon my father is going to be very angry.

"Good then you're all set to go. Here's a prescription to help with the headaches. We don't want you passing out again." He says with a smile. He hands me the paper and his finger grazes mine. He locks eyes with mine and it's as if he's telling me something with only his eyes.

What is going on?

He clears his throat and breaks eye contact with me. He quickly leaves the room.

"Alright get dressed and we will meet you outside." Uncle Jake says as he exits the room as well.

"You really scared me Willow. I thought I had lost you..." Jerome trails off.

"I'm not that easy to kill I guess." I chuckle trying to lighten the mood.

"I think Im in love with you Willow." He whispers looking at me.

"I think I feel the same way Jerome." I whisper back with a small smile on my face.

Jerome smiles and walks over to me, leans down and kisses me. I feel butterflies in my stomach instantly. He then stands up, smiles, and walks out the door leaving me alone. I change and go outside to meet them when I see my father. I look around for Uncle Jake but he isn't with Jerome.

Weird.

"Willow!" My father booms from inside his car. I look away from Jerome and quickly walk to my father. "Get your ass in the car, now!" He yells.

I glance over at Jerome before getting into the car. Once we arrive home I know he's angry. He grabs me by the arm and rips me out of his car. He drags me into the house and up the stairs, throwing me into my room.

"Stay in here until I come in here you little slut!" He screams before slamming the door. I hear the lock click and I realize he locked me in. I run to the door.

"Dad! Dad let me out! Dad please!" I yell for what seems like forever.

Hours go by before I hear the lock on the door click. I scramble to the furthest corner away from the door. My father comes rushing through the door his eyes on me already as if he knew where I'd be. He grabs me by the neck and pulls me from the corner. He takes off his belt and looks me in the eye.

"You better learn this time or it's going to be much worse next time. Take your shirt off." He says calmly.

I take my shirt off, keeping my bra on. "What are you doing dad?" I ask quietly.

He doesn't say anything he makes a circle with his fingers and I turn away from him as he gestured. There's a few moments of silence before the pain. He whips me 15 times on my back. I don't say anything I don't even dare move.

"That'll teach you whore. Do not disobey me." He says before leaving my room as if nothing ever happened.

I find the strength to climb on my bed. Laying on my stomach, I cry myself to sleep wishing I were in my mothers arms again.