The Worst of Times

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

I played with the food on my plate, well aware of everyone's eyes on me.

"It's nice seeing you again, my little Chaz." My mom said softly. I looked up at her and instantly knew something was up.

"What's wrong?" I asked and she seemed shocked that I could see straight through her. When you've spent the majority of your life with something wrong, it's easy to pick up when others are feeling that way too.

"Nothing." She instantly said and Emma gave her a glare. I could see she knew what was happening too.

"She's stressed about court." She said for her and my mom's eyes snapped and I could tell it was taking everything inside of her not to raise hell against Emma.

"What's going on?" Samantha asked and I could see my mom trembling.

"Nothing. Stay out of it." She snapped and Samantha clearly became serious.

"I can't stay out of nothing." She countered and my mom rolled her eyes. I looked to Emma and her eyes teared up when they met mine.

"Mom, just tell them." She pleaded and she shook her head. "Mom! They could help!"

"No, they can't! Shut up!" She yelled and the restaurant grew silent at her outburst. She settled down and the conversations amongst people picked up again but not as loudly.

"We can." Mike insisted, also wanting to know what was going on. My mom groaned in defeat.

"We're pressing charges of rape against Frank. He's been molesting the twins and Emma for years. He probably is right now." She teared up and bursted into sobs. Samantha instantly went to comfort her. I was shocked.

"That's impossible! Why the hell would you want Chester to move in with you than?!" Mike snapped and she looked up at me and then to him.

"I was hoping he'd lay off the girls if Chester was around." She admitted and my eyes heated up.

"What do you mean?" Mike's voice shook.

"I mean, I hoped he would hurt Chester instead, okay?! Is that what you wanted me to say?!" She cried out and I rose without saying a word. I went straight to the bathroom and locked the door behind me.

I looked around and saw a rope holding the window shut. I wasn't surprised, this wasn't the best neighborhood. I grabbed the rope, undoing it and stood on the toilet seat. I threw one end over a pipe on the ceiling and tied it so it'd stay. I knotted the other end and stuck my head through it and without thinking, stepped off the toilet seat.

I heard loud banging coming from the other side of the door as my body swung, fighting for air I didn't actually want. I gurgled and choked, hearing bodies ramming into the door.

Tears were flooding down my cheeks as I heard someone sliding in through the window just as I was beginning to see black dots cloud my vision. They hoisted my body up and I gasped in the air, my neck feeling weak from holding my body up against the rope. I cried out and tried kicking at the body holding me up, hoping they'd drop me so I could die but I heard sirens and knew I wouldn't be able to die right now.

"Chester! You idiot! You can't leave me! Chester?!" Mike cried out, holding onto me tightly.

"Mike." I wheezed out, tears pouring down my face. He continued gripping me from behind.

"You jerk. Stop trying to leave me! I can't live without you, God damn." He said in frustration but he just doesn't get it. I could've been raped by ANOTHER person. It's torture having to live with the rapes I suffered before, knowing it could've happened again is terrifying. It must be all I'm good for is fate keeps leading me on that direction.

I passed out in defeat.
~
"Mike." I breathed out, realizing I could barely speak.

"Don't speak, Chester." A doctor said.

"Mike," I repeated and the doctor groaned with impatience.

"Chester-" He tried again.

"Miiikee!" I begged and started crying. I felt someone's arms wrap around me. They were definitely Mike's. I gripped onto them. "Mike!"

"Chester, it's okay. I'm here. Doc, what's wrong with his voice?"

"His vocal cords were stretched."

"Will they heal?"

"I don't know quite yet."

I was suddenly scared. What if I never sing again?