I Almost Lost You

Chapter 22, Part: 1

We got to the waterfall shortly after. Ashton was right, it was absolutely breathtaking. I snapped so many pictures before I even put my stuff down. I told Ashton to turn aroun so I could change into my bathing suit. I went behind a tree just to make sure. I came back and Ashton was climbing his way over to this little cavern thingy behind the falls. I booked it over to him and pushed him in. But that doesn't mean I got away with it. He heard me coming and right as I pushed him he grabbed me. So we both went into the water. It felt amazing.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Ashton spoke as he sat himself up in a rock.

"Yea, you were right. It's gorgeous." I responded following his lead.

We made our way into the little cavern thing. It was nice in there. It had perfect little rock seats to sit on.

"So, I need to tell/ask you something..." Ashton started.

"Yes?" I asked nervously.

"So the other day I was cleaning around the house, and I was looking through all your books. I came across a small little brown one that I thought was your actual book, like an unpublished copy. So I flipped through the pages and read one...as soon as I finished a sentence I slammed it shut and put it back. Now my question is, now can you explain, like from earlier; when you burned your hand. And if it relates to this...?"

My heart was racing a mile a second. I was shaking and he could tell. He stood up and hugged me. I tried to answer his question but no words came out.

"Take your time. You don't have to answer now. I just want to make sure you're okay." He whispered in my ear.

I pulled away and began.

"So, I-im assuming that you are wondering what I was talking about. A-and the answer is, I was abused by my father. That's a main reason why I left Boston. He ki-killed my mother right in front of me. I had to get ou if there when I was able to. I almost committed suicide. As soon as I turned 18 I left. And now I'm here. I've been dealing with self harm for the past like five years. And when I said I'm used to it when I burned my hand, I meant that it doesn't really hurt anymore. I'm surprised you haven't noticed any scars or anything." I finished calming my self down.

"I haven't, where are they." He said with a stern face.

"My arms and hips, they are very noticeable." I stood up showing him. He looked, then looked away.

He didn't respond for a few seconds, but it felt like hours.

"Why?" Was all he asked.

"Why what?" I asked sitting back down.

"Why'd he do that? Why would he fucking cause that much pain to you. That you'd so that." He said with an angry tone. "He is your fucking father...no child should have to go through that."

I didn't know how to answer that. I just stayed there silent, hoping he would take that as an answer.