The Cry of Silence

3 - Dad

TW: abuse, alcohol, drugs, coarse language

- M A E V E -

"Maeve!" I was startled back into reality with Leah shouting at me.

"What??" I asked.

"Ugh you haven't been listening to me at all. I said that I have to go and do the masses of homework. Also, you should probably go because it is like 6:30pm and the sun is gonna be setting soon." I nodded to her words.

"Um yeah I'll go soon and just call me if you need help with the work." I smile and look back out at the sea.

"Oh, also do you need a lift home? I'm happy to drive you." Leah asked not knowing the panic it caused me.

"Uh n-no I'm fine to walk," I stuttered out before giving her a forced smile. I hadn't been in a car since the accident apart from airport trips and even then, I would have to take a shit ton of medication to help with my anxiety.

Now I either walk everywhere or occasionally I ride my bike. I prefer walking though. It's more enjoyable. You get to see the small things you would have missed if you were on a bike or in a car.

Leah nodded at my answer, still with an unsure look on her face and gave me a quick hug before walking off. I stayed and watched the sun set over the ocean. It was almost magical. How all the colours blended together. Bright warm oranges and reds with the contrast of the cool blues of the ocean.

I closed the door as gently as I possibly could to try and not bring attention to myself and prayed that Dad would already be asleep. No such luck.

"Where the hell have you been?" He shouted.

The house reeked of alcohol and although there was minimal light, I could see that his pupils were dilated. Great. Drunk and high. Just my luck. I kept my head down and tried to walk past him, not answering his question.

He lunged at me and grabbed a fistful of my hair, sharply tugging me back causing me to fall.

"WHEN I SPEAK TO YOU, YOU ANSWER BACK AT ME YOU FUCKING BRAT!" he screamed, kicking me repeatedly in the ribs.

I tried to protect my head as much as I could. Every kick to the gut knocked the air out of me. The pain hadn't kicked in and I knew I would be covered in bruises tomorrow, possibly a few broken ribs. I kept my sobs in knowing that if I made a noise I would be in even more trouble.

"YOU'RE A FUCKING BRAT."
Kick.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE TO DIE."
Kick.
"YOU'RE AN UNGRATEFUL PIECE OF SHIT"
Kick.

It went on and on. My head was swirling and ears were ringing. I closed my eyes tightly and tried to focus on picturing Serenity and Mum in my head.

All of a sudden, I was yanked up by my hair and swung around. Dad was still yelling. I open my eyes to see a fist flying at my face. My head flew back as it collided and then nothing.

I woke up possibly a few hours later on the floor when I had collapsed. I had a metallic taste in my mouth and my whole body hurt. When the world stopped spinning, I painfully dragged myself back to my bedroom and locked the door. Not having the energy to assess the damage I slipped into bed and silently cried myself to sleep.

——

A/N
Hi everyone! Hope you are enjoying this. I had a really good time writing this. Poor Maeve am I right? For all of you trauma loving people, the book is only going to get better! x