Trapped

9

Erik rests his back on his pillows with his feet rested on the sheets with his knees in the air. My eyes wander to an angle at Erik's thigh, looking at a two-inch scar. I look up at him while he is busy doing my homework as I read my book. I return back to my reading, wanting to ask what's behind the story.

"Homework is done, m'lady." He says, interrupting my thoughts.

I smile, taking the papers. "Thanks."

"Going down to the kitchen, you want anything?"

"A juice or whatever you have is fine."

He comes back with pop for himself and apple juice for me. He sets his drink down without opening it, and he walks around, tidying his room. I set my book down, taking a sip of the juice. I set it back on the coaster, and I got the courage to ask him.

"Erik..."

"Huh?"

"Come here."

He tosses his last clothing in the hamper and jumps back on the bed with his legs crossed.

"Everything okay?" He says, a little worried.

"What's that scar on your thigh?"

"Just a plain ole scar." He answers, trying to make it a joke.

"Are you sure?"

He looks away, looking out the window. "My uh... Dad did it."

"What the hell... Why?" I say, infuriated.

He looks back at me. "I don't know... He just did."

"That's not right. That's actually fucked up. Thank god you haven't let me seen him, or otherwise, I would take matters into my own hands."

He laughs. "That's so sweet of you."

"If he does anything else to you, I am going to take out my skills from the black belt."

"Ellie, you don't know karate."

"There's no reason why I can't learn."

"Alright, I will leave you up to it to do so."

"Why don't you join? It's good to defend yourself."

"I have enough to worry about, and you know that."

"Tennis this, tennis that. Why don't you expand yourself?"

"My dad wants me to stick to one thing, and tennis is the one thing I am good at from all the practice he made me do"

"Okay, party pooper."