Saving Hope

Chapter One

The beginning of my worst nightmare
*****
"Next time, do as I tell you! No questions asked!" Trevor roared, standing over my petite body. His face is a fiery red, seething with anger. I pushed myself as far into the wall as I could, feeling my entire body shake with fear. My heart is beating wildly against my chest, the sound of it echoing in my ears.

(In Hope's head)
Whatever you do, don't look him in the eyes, Hope.
(In reality Hope's perspective/memory)
His hands curl up into a tight fist and I immediately shrink into myself, screaming out as they come crashing down onto my body. Pain is all I feel, so much pain.

"Please stop! You don't have to do this!" I yell pleading with him, tears rushing down my face. My screams of agony fall on deaf ears so I give up and lay there, emotionless, letting him torture me like his little rag doll that I am.
*****(after the incident)

I stare at my reflection in the mirror and sigh, hastily wiping my tears away from my eyes. I refuse to cry. That's exactly what he wants and I would never give him the satisfaction of knowing I already am. A big clump of my dark brown, almost black hair is missing, the scalp throbbing painfully where he'd ripped it out. My fingers trailed down my cheek, under my eye where the stinging was now turning a tender blue bruise. It was times like this where I thank God I have an Olive skin tone. The bruises don't show up as easily.

I bite my bottom lip and let out a small whimper as I attempt to lift my top to see the damage he'd inflicted. As expected, the bruises ran up my side but thankfully, nothing felt broken.

How sad is it that I could tell the difference between a bruised and a broken bone?

..........

"Why did you leave me like this Dad?" I whisper, glancing at the frame on my bedside table. A photograph was taken of me as a little girl... large brown eyes shining happily as I sat on my father's broad shoulders, holding tightly to his hair. His own eyes mirrored mine, a pearly smile so white and wide. Dad and I were inseparable.
I adored the ground my father walked on. Every time he entered the room, I craved his attention. Mum had taken the picture at my sixth birthday party. I remember that day so well, the way my father smiled at me as he sang Happy Birthday. I remember him clutching the cake in front of him, telling me to make a wish and blow out the candles. He cheered so loud, it felt like I had my own personal cheerleading squad.
Dad died suddenly the following month leaving his only daughter with a shattered heart. 12 years now without the man I admired.
I shuffle towards my bed, sitting down on the edge of it. I lifted the picture up to my lips, placing a gentle kiss over the glass. It felt cool and I closed my eyes, taking slow breaths, allowing the oxygen to fill my lungs and calm my thoughts.
"Night night, sleep tight my little princess," Dad said every single night, tucking me up tightly before leaving the room and closing the door slightly.
He knew I didn't like the dark. " Night night Daddy," I whispered, clutching the picture frame tightly to my chest.
***** (the next morning)
I walked into the school, scanning the crowds for my best friend, Trisha Lockwood. The friendship between Trish and I had always been peculiar to anyone looking from the outside. I'm relatively quiet whereas Trish is loud and bubbly. My dark hair is the complete opposite of Trish's bright blonde locks. She wears pink skirts with frill tops whereas I prefer to stick to denim jeans and a simple t-shirt. The only thing I regret every day is not telling her about my stepfather. The secret was kept for so long, I didn't know how to tell her anymore. Trish knows I despise my stepfather and mother, but doesn't question it any further as she knows that it's a sensitive subject.
The girl had the ability to make me laugh until my sides hurt... and even though she's wild at times, I know she has a good heart. We've been friends for years now, first meeting in primary school. We clicked from the start, she was wild and I was calm. I tamed her behavior and she inserted some of her craziness into my life.

Trish was surrounded by three hunks of guys, which didn't surprise me in the slightest. She received enough male attention for both of us. I watched as one boy leaned in, whispering something in her ear. Trish immediately giggled like a love sick school girl, batting her long eyelashes at him flirtatiously in return. I rolled my eyes and walked over to them, ignoring the pain flaring up my side from the simple movement. Images of my stepfather raising his fists last night clouded my mind, making my hands clench into tight fists. I'm not a violent character... I'm too scared to fight back. I tried once when I was twelve years old and ended up breaking my thumb.
How was I supposed to know I shouldn't tuck my thumb into my fist when punching?
Let's just say my thumb has never been the same after that accident. I chuckled at my own stupidity, shaking my head.
"What's so funny, Hope?" Trish asked, walking over to me and linking her arm through mine. The boys behind her appeared heartbroken. I shook my head at Trish, giving her a smile.
"Nothing, how was the concert this weekend?" I asked eagerly, wanting to change the subject. Trish winced from the memories before letting out a cute chuckle--
"First of all, I was drunk, I ended up peeing in a bush."
I let out a loud laugh, shaking my head. Typical Trish behavior.
"What about the music? You know, the whole reason why you went?'
"The music was mediocre compared to the boy attention that I was getting."Trish giggled
"Meet any cute ones?" I asked, giving a brief wave to a group of girls walking past. Trish nodded, her eyes lighting up--
"The cutest. Let me tell you all about it!" She giggled, dragging me towards a nearby chair. I took a seat and Trish took a breath before diving right into every male she encountered at the concert. Whilst she gushed about a handsome blonde, I quickly scanned the room.
My eyes landed on a hunched over figure at the back of the class. I frowned, tilting my head to study him. He was wearing a gray jacket, the hood pulled over to mask his features. His shoulders were broad and a hint of dark hair was sticking out from under the hood. His right-hand scrolling through his phone and his other was bandaged tightly.
"Hey, Trish, who's the new boy?' I asked, interrupting her and signaling in his direction. I watched as her eyes widened once she noticed who I was referring to.
"That's Jake," Trish muttered quietly, not wanting to be heard.
" Jake? As in Jake Melvin?" I asked, knowing the name well. All purely through gossip, of course.
" He's beautiful, but he gives me the creeps." She said with a disgusted look on her face.
" Yeah..." I agreed light-heartedly, my gaze still fixed on Jake Melvin.
He wasn't surrounded by any friends, but the confidence that oozed from him was undeniable. I knew he was bad news, but that didn't stop the fact that he was very good looking. Despite the permanent scowl on his face...
Rumors flew around town about how Jake Melvin is involved in a local gang. He lived with his mum but no-one ever mentioned a father.  People avoided talking to Jake due to his dangerous reputation, nobody wants to get involved with the wrong side of the law.
Jake slowly lifted his head and raised an eyebrow at me, clearly catching me gawking at him. That's when I noticed his eyes, so bright and blue. Protected by thick, dark lashes that should be illegal. They immediately became daggers of ice and fire staring dangerously deep into my soul, narrowing threateningly. I shuddered, immediately looking away.
"I can see why he gives you the creeps," I murmur to Trish. His icy stare resembled Trevor's, my stepfather.
"You got a problem freak!" Jake spoke with such a deep stern scathing tone that my heart dropped and I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I immediately raised my hand to be excused, the look of concern on Trish's face just made things so much worse. I ran as fast as I could to the bathroom and to the closest stall the whole room felt like it was about to fall on me. I didn't know what to do. It felt so real the walls were getting so close and the ceiling was crumbling down. My heart was racing, my arm was numb, my head was spinning as if I was about to pass out. I've never felt like this before.
  All I could think was ; am I dying...