Two Sinners Make a Right {+18}

10. Burnt Gasoline and Rubber

Chapter 10 is here. I hope you enjoy it!

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     I don't know how I did it but when I left that bathroom after Alex threatened my family, I managed not to freak out. Or cause a massive scene that would have everyone looking at me like I'm crazy.

     Rather, I managed to convince my sister I'd suddenly felt unwell. Concerned, she felt my forehead with the back of her hand and felt how warm and sticky my skin was and agreed to take me home. Of course, my flushed skin was because of that arsehole but it did help my case.

     For the rest of the night and Sunday, I stayed in my room. For years, I'd buried the memories and suffering I went through at the hands of Alex, his dad and my mum. My mother never laid a finger on me, but she never helped me either. She just watched until she disappeared when I was four, abandoning me to deal with it alone like I always had anyway. Now, the memories are all rushing back, choking me.

     I don't think I've slept a second since I got home. My sister keeps checking in on me to see if I'm feeling better and to bring me soup. Apart from the spoonful I take for her benefit, I haven't eaten the soup either.

     Now it's Monday and I feel no different than yesterday or the day before. My alarm goes off, reading seven and I can think of nothing worse than going to school today. My pills are in my bag, always there if I need them but being numb isn't what I want. I hate the numbness but sometimes for me, it's necessary just to get through the day when most people find it so easy. I hate and envy those people.

     I'm still buried in my bed covers when I hear the door open. "Brielle, how are you feeling?" My sister asks, walking around the side of the bed to kneel so we're face level. She has her blonde hair in a high ponytail today and she's dressed in a two-piece lilac yoga outfit. She's sweating a little, so I know she's been awake since six doing yoga in the living room.

     "Not well enough to leave this room," I answer, rolling onto my back so I don't have to look into honey-brown eyes that resemble mine and can read right through my bullshit.

     She frowns and I pray she'll at least give me today. Just one more day and I'll drag myself back together like nothing was ever wrong. I don't know how I'll manage it, but I'll find a way. Even after I face Alex tomorrow, I'll find a way not to let it get to me.

     I'll manage.

     My sister interrupts my internal dialogue where I'm obviously lying to myself and says, "Okay, I'll make you some more soup but this time I want you to actually eat it, okay?" She waits for me to nod and then adds, "Good. I'm working tonight but Ace will be home if you need anything."

     "Thanks, Ash."

     She gives me a smile and then grabs the bowl of cold soup she left for me last night and leaves the room.

     I roll over and close my eyes, praying for at least an hour of sleep.

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     My eyes open to find my bedroom now dark. Shit, I was asleep for hours. I feel like all I did was blink and I feel no better than I did before I tried to sleep.

     I pull the covers off me, still wearing the same sleep shorts and oversized T-shirt I put on Saturday night. I open my bedroom door to find all the lights in the house off which means Ace has gone to bed and Ashley will still be working until five in the morning.