The Four Elements

Bot

I slowly blinked my open and I felt soft sheets underneath myself. Wait not only sheets, but a mattress. Where the hell am I? I looked around and suddenly memories came flooding back. I tried to sit up but someone gently pushed me back on to the bed. My eyes landed on a dark silhouette, but I couldn't tell who it was.

"Hi." I croaked.

"I'm sorry." the voice I recognized as Dew said. "Do you remember what happened?"

 "Yea," I whispered. "I couldn't forget if I tried." It felt like I was talking to myself rather than him.

"So you believe us?"

"Believe is an understatement." I said trying to lighten the mood. "But I think you owe me an explanation. All three of you." I added.

Dew looked at the door and sighed. "Guys come in. It's time to talk." Bot and Tornado came in and Tornado flicked the lights on. I noticed Bot linger by the door, trying to distance herself between us.

"Well?" I asked. No one said anything. Tornado suddenly became really interested with a scratch on the hardwood and Dew was staring at Bot, studying her face. Bot had tears coming out of her eyes and I felt like I was destroying her bubbly persona.

"Bot?" I looked at her. "Bot, look at me. Please."

Her quiet crying had progressed into sobs that violently shook her body. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

I looked at Tornado and Dew. "Could you give us a minute?" I asked. I really needed to talk to Bot.

They both nodded and Tornado gave her a stern look before they both left the room.

"I'm not hurt, you know." I told Bot.

"Yes you are. We saw the bruises on your body. If I hadn't been so stupid you'd be okay. But now you probably hate me."

"Listen, Bot you didn't give me any bruises. I barely fell to the ground after Tornado did what he did. How could I have bruises if all that hit me was air?" I asked her, trying to cheer her up.

"I-I. But-" she stuttered. Then she gasped and put her hand to her mouth. "Your bruises?"

I nodded. "I think I should tell you my story."

She wiped her tears on the back of her sleeve. "Do you want me to get the guys?" she asked.

I shook my head. "I think I would feel more comfortable telling it to you first. Then you could tell the guys? I know it's weird for me to ask but I feel like I know you and I-"

She cut me off. "Tell me."

"It's gone on for as long as I can remember. The beatings, the name callings. They treated me like a servant. Told me I'd be better off dead, and after a while I started to believe them. But there was this old woman who live across the street from me, Mrs. Peers. I used to go over to her house and she was like a mother to me. Clean my bruises and make me feel comfortable. She never asked and I never told. It was the happiest I'd ever been in my eight years. She had a heart attack and for the eight more years, I felt nothing. I mean, sure I felt pain but I just sort of blocked out all my emotions. Until..."

I choked up and felt like I couldn't continue.

"It's okay," she said. "You don't have to tell me."

"No. I have to tell someone." I drew in a deep breath. "My brothers friend slept with me. And I know that doesn't sound that bad. But it broke me all over again. The years I had spent building up a wall were broken in a matter of minutes. He and my brother made a bet to see how fast he could sleep with me."

Bot was quiet and she looked at me. "You are strong. You're with us now and we protect our own. You're our family."

Those words made me feel complete and I engulfed her in a hug. 

"Now get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow." She smiled at me and I realized she was going to be my friend for years to come.