Ray of Hope

The Monster

The next morning Raidyn awoke to an aching body, she was still sitting in the car. An imprint of the steering wheel on her forehead. The alcohol still drifted in her bloodstream and she tried hard to remember how she had driven home. Slowly she stumbled out of the car, her purse dangled clumsily from her shoulder.

As she neared the door, there was shouting and she instantly knew who it was. She rolled her eyes and took a seat on one of the wicker chairs waiting for the heated argument that her father was having with most likely backstabbing Mia to cease. "Happy Birthday Nora" she whispered.

You would be fifteen now, I miss you so much. I wish you were here so badly. Life sucks...take me with you.

Mia wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at her mom "I'm sorry...it just happened and I really want to keep the baby."

Maria smiled "I think she's old enough to have a baby Miguel...so stop your yelling. Now you just have to tell us who the dad is? I'm going to get my purse so we can leave." She smiled "Where in the world did Raidyn stay?" she spoke to herself walking down the hall.

Miguel glared at Mia "What did I tell you? How dare you come up with this story about getting pregnant!!" He slapped her with force and she tumbled over the couch and onto the floor, her face burning with pain.

She crouched as he proceeded to kick her, covering herself she yelled. "I'm not getting rid of it. It's my life you know...I can make my own choices. I'm not asking to be taken care of. I have someone to help me..."

Maria entered the room, her jaw dropping at the sight, she cried out "Stop it. You'll hurt her!" but he didn't listen and grabbed Mia by the hair, dragged her to her feet and swung the door open. Maria tugged at his arm, while Mia tried squirming out of his grip.

Raidyn jumped at the sound of the door slamming against the wall and the next thing she saw was Mia flying out the door and crashing into the brick post. She stood up startled, her head still pounding miserably. Then she recognized the monster in the doorway, his chest heaving with anger, she knew that look very well. He was on another one of his violent stupors.

His arm raised and he swung hard letting Mia have another hit to the side. Mia cried out in pain, as he held Maria away with the other arm.

Raidyn's heart pounded with force, she stood watching, frozen in place as Mia stood up as fast as she could, leaning against the brick post on the porch.

Why should I help her, backstabbing bitch. Let him kill her, she deserves...wait...the baby...there is a baby... her father raised his arm again, his hand balled into a tight fist.

"NO!" Raidyn yelled getting in the way, his fist landing right to her face. She winced in pain and wiped the blood that trickled down her nose. "Mia get in the car." Mia obeyed, almost running down the stairs and making way to the car "No more...she's having a baby you idiot." the words coming out of her mouth hurt more than the burning of the blow Nick's baby. "You're a monster"

"Ray honey please" Maria was still forced back by her husband's arm. She shook her head to keep her daughter from continuing. "Please Miguel just calm down..." she tugged at him, but he didn't move.

His arm was still raised, "She's a whore...and as for you...you're not far behind, coming at this time. I can't even celebrate my baby's birthday in peace without being interrupted by one of you pieces of shit."

Raidyn glared at him "You're not the only one that misses her you know. We all do...it's a horrible day for ALL of us, not just you and your selfishness." she snapped, sniffling and wiping her nose with her sleeve. Her mother stood speechless now, there was no use in trying to stop the verbal confrontation.