The Brave, Bold and Beaten

Chapter Three: Father

   The second I walked into the house all hell broke loose.

   "Where the fuck were you?!" My father screeched.

   "Out with a friend." I replied shortly.

   "Well, that's not okay Ashley!" He growled and step towards me.

   I flinched slightly and looked him in the eyes, "I'm sorry Father."

   He slapped a hand across my face, as I recoiled a looked back at him he punched me in gut. "Never leave without permission again."

   I gasped for air while I laid on the floor. There was a soft knock at the door that only I heard. "I'm going to get the mail!" I croaked to my father and dragged myself up. I opened the door to see Luka.

   "You left your-" He paused and gasped at my bruising face, "what happened. "

   "Please, just get me out of here." I coughed and fell into his arms.

   I was carried to the car and set in the back seat. I smiled slightly more than I have before and peeked to see him climb into the drivers seat and look back at me through the mirror with a smile.

   We drove for a bit, the Windows were down letting a soft warm breeze wash over us.

   "Hey, Ashley, Wake up." His sweet voice, so soft and calm.

   I had slowly opened my eyes which appeared to be a soft magenta against the setting sun. "Hey.."

   "Would you like to tell me what happened?" He looked a bit concerned and what seemed uneasy.

   I started at the floor of the car and sighed, with the reaction he climbed in to the back seat and sat next to me.

   "I'm here for you Ash." He looked at me concerned.

   I smiled and blushed slightly. "My dad, he abuses me."

   His eyes flashed with glimmers of anger, hatred, concern and sorrow. He didn't say anything just held me in his arms tightly and whsipered reassurances in my ear.

   "Ill protect you." He promised.

   I looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Really?"

   "Always." He confirmed.

   I nodded to myself and sighed. "You should probably take me home so I dont get in more trouble."

   He nodded and motioned for me to sit in the front passenger seat. I did and we rode home in silence.

   When we got to my house I opened the door and looked back him. "Thanks for everything you did for me today."

   He nodded, "Of course."

   I got up to leave and he grabbed my arm lightly. "Before you go."

   I slid back down into my seat and looked at him a bit confused. "What is it?"

   He said nothing and pulled me in for a soft kiss. His soft lips against made me smile which ended the kiss.

   "Now you sleep well Ash, ill pick you up for school tomorrow."

I walked into my house and upstairs and fell a sleep with a huge smile on my face.