Affliction

Chapter 6

Abigail

It's been about a week since I been home, but it feels like just yesterday I was... attacked and hospitalized. When I awoke in the hospital room I realized what had happened was no dream, it was real.

  It made my stomach churn just thinking about it, lying back on my firm twin mattress just made me flash back to that crappy firm hospital bed, and I had to get off. Instead I curl on my swivel love seat and stare out the window of my bedroom into the back yard.

It's a beautiful summer day. Kids are out in their yards and running on the street; playing tag and hopscotch, so innocent and loving; while I hideaway tainted and bruised. I envied that they could enjoy life the way I used to. Giving no cares about what could happen next, just taking on the days care free, when I would get back to that? To the free spirited person I used to be.

Mom and dad seem to be able to act like nothing ever happened, outside of offering me all my favorite foods and sweets which I kindly decline because I no longer have the stomach for anything anymore. Jessie on the other hand was quiet she's been quiet since the day we left the hospital and I know it's because she has so many questions, I know this because I do too.

Like why me? Why was it that I could never go to a party and just enjoy myself? Something always had to happen, a quick flashback of my assaulter's figure hovering over my cold naked body swept my mind.

I closed my eyes so tight in hopes that it would wash it away; I couldn't get the image out my head. The way he threw me around, man handling me like I was some drugged up rag doll which I kind of was I guess.

After the ambulance picked me up and sedated me the memory of that night slipped away and all I'm stuck with are glimpses, I remember meeting with Brandon in what I know figure was his room – I remember his beautiful blue eyes staring into my amber ones as he tried to tell me something, I remember trying to leave and Richards's jock self blocking me. Lastly I remember moments of the attack, only the ones that randomly pop in my head that I wish would go away; and her... the dark haired girl in pajama's that found me.

I didn't know who she was but I owe her my life and hope that one day I can thank her for finding me and calling the police. Knock knock, someone's at my door but I don't answer; I left it unlocked so they can just come in because I knew I wouldn't have the energy to go open it.  "Abby"? Jess's enters slowly creaking open my door. Her voice soft and sentimental "someone's here for you." she continues this time fully opening it.

I haven't turned around to address her yet, but I can see her in the reflections of my bedroom window. She looked so cute, my beautiful baby sister; so grown up and mature.

I can only hope that she doesn't get the luck that I have when she is out with her friends and that she can fend for herself better than I.  When the door fully opens I can see the reflection of a second person. "Abs." they call out, their voice deep and scruffy.

My heart melts because I know its Brandon; I couldn't see him right now, I didn't want to, I didn't want to see anyone. I was too embarrassed of what happened and my scars to look at anyone.

Instead I watch them both from the reflection in the window. His perfect brunette hair wasn't spiked but instead in a shake and go mess, the details of his face were blurred but I could still see those deep blues of his watching me as I ignore them.

He steps in over the door stub, "I know, you've been through a lot lately." He begins, running his big quarter back hands through his messy mane, "and I'm not here to recap on what happened or anything, but I just wanted to apologize." He continued.

"I feel somewhat at fault, I should have been more assertive on taking you home." he finished again brushing his hand through his hair.  He then placed both hands in his denim blue jeans; I still haven't turned to address them. "If you want to hate me, it's ok I get it. Just please, come walk the stage... its graduation; you have to be there Abs." he states firmly and desperately.