Hot Starry Nights

*6th Grade*

  Her screams ran through the house. I could still hear them under my pillow. Her sobs tore through my ears. He yelled at her, she's worthless, good for nothing, a stupid bitch, it just keeps going. Then all of a sudden, they stopped. It was silent.

  The door bursts open. I do my best to pretend I'm asleep. He's not fooled.

  "Get out. Get the HELL OUT. Of your BED!" I don't move. Maybe he'll leave me alone. 

  He pulls me from under my blanket and I shield my head. He pulls me to my feet by my arms so now I'm in his face. He smells heavily of alcohol, as always.

  He studies me, and I try to keep my expression as clear as possible. He drops me and I shield my head once again. I feel his boot in my side as he kicks me over and over again. I don't know how long I'll be laying here. I need out.

  Once he's done, he goes in his their room, and locks the door; he locked mine on the way out. I get up as carefully as possible, limping towards the window. It's on the second floor, but . . . what if I just . . . jumped? Then everything would be over. No more screaming, no more fear, no more hiding, no more anything. 

  I slowly push the window open, climb out, and stand on the roof. The ground looks so inviting. Would I be reborn? Would I have a kinder family? Like his?

  Him.

  I grab onto the ledge of the roof and lower myself towards the ground as much as possible. I drop down and start running to his house, ignoring the pain in my body. I focus on my feet pounding down on the pavement. My heart racing. The wind blowing through my hair. His house comes into view, and I start running even faster, exerting my body. 

  I pound on the door, waiting for him or his brother to answer. He opens the door and I fall onto him. He asks what's wrong. Should I tell him?