breaking the truth

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"Who is ready for the big fight?" The announcer yelled, "Please join me in introducing the black bear."

A large man with a big beard went into the ring. He was new; he had not seen me fight yet. This is going to be fun "and scarlet," he roared as I got into the ring, and he looked dumbfounded.

"I can't fight her; she is barely a girl."

"See, that is your first mistake," I said as he got out of his stance and turned to face the official.

The bell went off, signaling the start of the fight. He was sloppy and easy to predict. I ended up winning within 2 minutes. I tried to drag it on like the crowd likes, but he was just too easy.

"And this was your second mistake." I looked down at his bloodied face as he exited the ring.

I went to the office to get my money.

"Hey Joe, how much tonight?" He looked at me and shook his head.

"You get 800 tonight; now go home and take a break from this for a bit." He has always hated me for fighting, but it's something I can't stop.

"You know that's never going to happen," I giggled as I walked out of the office and started to walk home, stopping in my tracks when I got to my driveway.

Shit, he is home; he wasn't supposed to be home tonight. I slowly walk up to the door, hoping he is asleep. I open the door slowly, and there he is, sitting in a chair in the living room.

very much awake.

"Where have you been?" he yelled.

"Out." Shit too much; tone it down. "I'm sorry Im late; I didn't mean to, and it won't happen next time," I spoke calmly, but he still stood up.

"I know." shit "There won't be a next time." What happened next was a blur. Another punch, hit after hit, never ending, not until I am out.

The only thing I can smell is the metallic taste of my blood and the alcohol in his breath. Another punch, this time to the stomach.

This is going to hurt tomorrow. "You're not worth my time," he stormed out of the two-story house that once used to feel like home.

I slugged off the ground, stumbling into the bathroom to assess what he did. Fuck, this one was bad; I wouldn't be able to clean it up.

As I was contemplating where to go, I decided I couldn't go to the hospital because it was too risky, so I went to the best place: getting into the car speeding off to the gym. As I was driving, I started seeing black dots.

If I don't hurry, it's going to turn worse than it was going to be in the first place. Pushing all the way on the gas pedal, I finally see the gym sign, not caring where I park.

I stumble into the gym. "Oh my god, Chlo, what happened?" Joe yelled, running over to me. All I could do was start laughing, then the black took over my sight.

I woke up in the gym's medical room. I tried to sit up because the pain was consuming me. "You're awake and finally going to tell us what happened," Maya said. Joe's wife spoke softly.

I only replied with a head shake; they knew about him and what he and his friends do to me.

"Ok, well, how about you take these?" She sat the familiar pills on the table with a bottle of water.

"Hey, can I get a couple for home, you know, in case this happens again or if I'm still in pain?" I looked at the pills, then at her, and without any hesitation, she went to the cabinet and grabbed the bottle.

"Yes, but don't take so many; they are additive, and I don't want you to get hooked." I knew how addictive they were.

"I won't, I promise," she nodded her head, satisfied with my answer.

"What's the damage this time?" Joe came into the room.

"She has two broken ribs, and her lower stomach is pretty bad. She also has a black eye and a busted lip." Joe shook his head as Maya read off my injuries at this time.

"Look, I'm okay, I just needed some pain medications and a little fixing, so I came here. You know the drill." He came closer to me.

"I shouldn't have to know the drill your 16 and one of the best fi-"

"It's just life," I cut him off; he scoffed and walked out.

"Thank you, Maya, for everything. I'm going to go back to the house."

"Will he-"
"not till tomorrow, don't worry," she gave me a soft hug, letting me go.

The car ride back was a blur. I just wanted to be at the house.

I lied to maya I was going to take those pills for the high; I have been doing so for the past year, and I also lied to her about him not being there. I didn't know if he would be there, and I know what will happen if I'm not there, but I didn't care at this point. I would rather have it be me than anyone else.

I pulled up to the house; no one was there. I walked into an empty house with blood still on the ground.

numbly walking up to my room and softly sitting on my bed, I looked at the bottle, opening it and putting two in my mouth, swallowing, then laying back and staring at the ceiling, drifting in and out, waiting for the inevitable—him—to show up.

He is late; it is now 12 hours later, and I have been pacing the house. I got the blood cleaned up.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at the door. No one ever knocks. I look through the small window.

2 cops and a lady in a blazer "What did you do now." I swore under my breath as I opened the door with a smile.

"Oh, good evening officers, how may I help you," I said with a fake smile and all.

"Are you Chloe Smith?" The officer looked at me with a straight face.

"Yes, why what's wrong." I immediately changed to a worried look. I wasn't worried; the only news they could deliver was good, unless I was getting arrested.

"Your father was in an accident; he hit another car, killing someone; he was drunk and high; he is in jail; we also had a warrant for his arrest; it's looking to be a minimum of 30 years."

I broke down crying. What a show I can put on about my so-called dad; he lost that title nine years ago.

"I am so sorry; this is Mrs. Lexi; she is your caseworker." The other officer said that almost on cue, the lady in the blazer walked up and sat down next to where I was on the ground.

"Look, I know this is a sad thing, but we need to get you to a new home." I forgot about that part. Maybe I can live with Joe and Maya.

"I don't have any family," she looked at me with a smile. What does she have up her sleeve.

"We found some; you have five older brothers; sadly, it will just be them; your biological dad passed away two years ago," she said slowly, almost like she wanted to pop the bubble I was in.

I stopped 'crying' right when she said that "he wasn't my dad." I questioned whether he wasn't my dad.

"No, hun, Dominic was not your father," she answering my question with hesitation.

I couldn't help but start to laugh. "I'm sorry, am I missing something? Why are you laughing?" She looked at me like I was crazy.

I stopped laughing in that instance and said, "Look, I don't care where you put me; I won't be staying long." She just stood up.

"I highly doubt that, now why don't you get packed and all of that, and we will be back in an hour to pick you up and take you to the airport?" she now spoke quickly.

"Wait, airport, look, I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving this town, let alone state." I looked at her in disbelief.

"Well, that might be a problem." She looked me up and down and said, "Your brothers live in France." She spoke sharply now, almost like she was done with me. What a bitch.

"Welp, see you in an hour." I slammed the door right after my last sentence.