Suicidal Screams

Chapter Three

“Do you have any idea how serious this is?” Mr Cole slammed his hand down on his desk. I jumped out of my daydreams and looked up at the middle aged man. His hair was grey and balding in places. He was holding my note in his other hand, waving it at my mum and I who sat in the chairs opposite his desk.

“Yes I do. I will try to take these matters in my own hands.” Mr Cole sighed at Mum’s response and took his seat.

“Mrs Skye... It’s my honest opinion that Adam should see a therapist.”

“A shrink? No. We don’t need that sort of... Charity.”

“Mrs Skye, Adam’s life could be at stake here. We can’t rule out any options and a therapist is the best way for Adam to get help.”

“I don’t want a shrink.” I muttered.

“Sorted. I’ll take these matters in my own hands. I would also thank you for not calling my husband while I’m at work.” Mr Cole looked confused.

“Mr Skye is registered as Adam’s parent.” Mum looked upset for a second. She managed to regain her composure and stared at Mr Cole right in the eye.

“I think it may be best if I talk things over with Adam at home.” Mr Cole nodded as he started shuffling paperwork on his desk.

“Very well. Please do consider the therapist though, Mrs Skye.” Mum stood up and left. I gathered up my bag and followed her.

Mum had her lips in a thin line as she marched past the receptionist and to the car. I got in the passenger seat. She slid into the driver’s side and started the car.

It was a silent journey. I was waiting for her to explode or something. This hadn’t been the first time she had been called to pick me up from school.

She stopped the car on our corner. She didn’t look at me, just looked straight forward.

“Your dad answered the call.”

“He’s not my dad.”

“Fine. Steven answered the call.”

“He doesn’t even deserve a title.” Mum turned to face me. She pulled my blazer lapel so I was facing her too. Although she was wearing make-up, I could see the faint shading of a new bruise.

“You see that?” She pointed at it. I winced slightly. “This is because your father got a call.” I pulled away from her and folded my arms around myself, trying to keep myself together.

“I’m sorry I abuse you Mum.” Mum shook her head sadly.

“It’s not your fault...”

“Really? Sounds like it.” I grabbed my bag and got out of the car.

“Where do you think you’re going?” She called after me.

“Home. I’ll meet you there.” Mum only hesitated then she drove off.

I walked home alone. It wasn’t far from the corner. Each step was one step closer to whatever fate my new stepfather, Steven had for me. Steve Skye had married my mum not so soon after Dad had died. Dad and Steve had been best friends. I didn’t understand how they could have done this. I loved my Dad... I was over grieving him but I was still forced to live with a man who tried to act as the new ‘man of the house’ and failed.

When I got home, the car was already in the drive. I didn’t want to go inside but whatever choice did I have?

Inside was deathly quiet. I knew what that meant...

I walked into the living room. Confirming my fears was my mother on the floor, with my stepdaddy standing over her. I swallowed hard and examined my mum.

She had bruises all over her face. Her shirt had been lifted and I could see that a rib had been broken. Maybe more. I couldn’t tell. Her arm stuck out at an odd angle.

I felt sick. I turned round, ran to the kitchen and threw up in the sink.

“It’s your own fault.” He told me. I spun around to face him.

“Why?” I gasped.

“She was working. If you had just behaved at school...” Steve started advancing on me.

“Stay away from me.” I warned him. I felt weakened from throwing up and I had nothing around me to use as a defensive weapon.

“You deserve this.” He told me. I almost swore when I realised that I was trapped in the corner of the room.

Steve spun me around so my stomach was pressing against the countertop. His hand went in my hair and tightened into a fist. He threw my head back before slamming it into the counter. My temple caught the side of the marble chopping board.

Steve pinned my head to the worktop. He bent over to me so his lips were against my ear.

“You’re worthless.” He told me. I could smell his disgusting breath.

Steve slammed my head down on the counter once more then let go. I heard his footsteps fade as I slumped to the floor. I could feel the blood trickling down my temple, down my cheek. I didn’t care.

The front door slammed shut and silence was in the house once more. I stayed where I was, waiting for something. It was only then that I remembered that my mum needed medical attention. I got up from the floor. My head felt dizzy.

I opened a cupboard and took out the medical kit. After Steve started beating me up, Mum stocked the first aid kit with literally everything. Most of it was stuff nicked out of the hospital.

I went to Mum and knelt down beside her. She looked up at me. Tears were falling down her cheeks. She raised her hand and touched my cheek lightly before her hand fell to the floor again.

Mum’s shoulder was dislocated and yes she had one broken rib. Clean snap from the looks of it.

“Mum, I can put your shoulder into place but I can’t do anything about the rib... You have to go to hospital.” Mum shook her head slightly. She was too weak to stop me. I picked up the phone and dialled the number. I held it to my ear but it was dead. I looked at the back of the phone cradle but the main cable was gone. Steve had taken it. I threw the phone in my anger. It hit the wall and chipped a big chunk of pale pink painted plaster out of it. I fell to the floor and sobbed, wishing my life would end.