Thirsty Hearts

Chapter 1

Hearing the pounding on the front door, I got up from my bed quickly and ran to the door.

Opening the door just enough to see who it was, I wasn't surprised to see Ben.

-What did he do this time?, I asked with a sigh.

-He got into a bar fight because he wanted to buy a woman a drink.

- Where's the harm in that?

- The woman was accompanied by her husband.

He paused for a moment, sighing, before continuing:

-And your father threw a punch, a man came and separated them before things got out of hand," he finished.

- Do I have to go get him?

- No, I told the station I'd take care of it, and he's in my car, dead drunk.

I sighed in exasperation before slipping on my shoes and going to take him from Ben's police car.

Opening the door I saw him slumped over and indeed dead drunk.

Ben helped me carry him into the house, before setting him down on the sofa.

I walked Ben to the door to thank him. I know Ben 'thanks' to my father. He used to get into bar fights all the time, and Ben was kind enough to get him out of situations like this when he could, so that no one would press charges. When he was off duty, I had to go and find him at the police station and beg the people he'd fought with not to press charges, but that didn't always work out, so I ended up paying fines I couldn't afford.

-Thanks again, Ben, and I'm sorry to have bothered you, but if there's anything you need, don't hesitate, I say with a faint smile.

- You never bother me, he said, smiling, but there is something you could do for me.

- Yeah- of course anything, I said surprised.

- Well, I thought if you had time, maybe we could go for a drink.

My eyes widened, the fear transforming directly into a ball in my stomach already knowing what was gonna happen once I close the door.

- No, sorry, I'm very busy with work, I said, more coldly than intended.

- Oh, uh, okay, that's okay, bye, he said before turning and leaving.

As soon as the door closed, he started shouting:

-I knew it, that's all you can do get boys hard you whore, you're doing this so he'll help you and you won't have to pay a fine, huh?! Fuck you all, I don't need anyone, I can take care of myself, I don't need a bitch like you, he shouted at me, as he did every day.

I denied it and hurried off to my room.

- Hey, where are you going, you bitch, come back here, I'm talking to you!

- I've got to go to work," I said, simply, tired of my vital situation.

- You're going to do your job as a whore, that's what you're gonna do!?, he said laughing.

I shut the door quickly, trying to hush his words ripping through my heart.

I set off to pack my bag while checking the time on my mobile; 6.39pm. Shit, I'm going to be late.

Indeed, my father was right. I worked in a nightclub as a waitress, occasionally flashing a smile so that I could get tips, which I put aside hoping yo go to college. And during the day, I worked in a supermarket.

Finishing my bag, I quickly headed for the kitchen to grab something to eat to not lose consciousness like last time. I opened the fridge hoping to find something.

- Fucking obeise, aren't you tired of emptying that fridge, for fuck's sake, he spat at me with all the hate he could muster.

I didn't normally let his words get to me, except when it came to my weight.

It still hurts. Like my heart was a target that he never failed to miss.

I heard his heavy footsteps approaching. My heart pounded fast in my chest as I felt my lungs compress against it. Still, I held my head high. When he reached me, I saw something in his eyes I'd never seen before. Like... desire?

No, I'm his daughter, he'd never dare.

He stopped seeing you as his daughter a long time ago, and you know it.

Confirmation of what I'd been thinking came when he got a little too close, and when I was blocked by the counter behind me, he took advantage and took one of my curls, letting his finger slide down my arm.

- You know you're very beautiful, my girl, he said, looking me up and down with a smile and a gleam in his eyes that frightened me more than anything.

I felt my eyes watering. But that was only the last straw as he grabbed my waist with one hand and my hair with the other to make me lift my head. I pushed with all my strength. Being drunk, it didn't take much effort for him to fall to the ground and hit his head.

- Bitch..., he said, touching his bleeding eyebrow, wait till I catch you! he finished, trying to get up.

Wide-eyed, I backed away little by little. It was now or never. With that, I grabbed my bag and ran to the door, which I opened. Without waiting another second, I ran out, giving everything I could, hearing him calling behind me.

- Rosalia, get back here right now!

I didn't stop, breathless. My lungs compressed in my rib cage. Stomach heavy, I kept running as if my life depended on it.

It did.

I entered a forest, surprising myself with the speed at which I ran.

Escape.

It's the only solution.

Without looking behind me, my legs moved mechanically without being able to control them. I had to run. That's what I've always been taught. It's what we've always done. The adrenaline coursing through my veins made sure I didn't feel the tree branches stripping my whole body. My lungs struggled to fill with air, but I didn't stop, barely feeling the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Faster...

He's gonna catch you...

Faster...

FASTER...

Too weak...

You're too weak...

My legs had no strength left.

I only slowed down when I heard his voice shouting at me:

- I'LL FIND YOU SOONER OR LATER, ROSALIA, SOONER OR LATER YOU'LL GET BACK TO DADDY!

My legs fell to the floor on their own, hearing his last words and his blood-curdling laughter as frightened sobs escaped me. The tears wouldn't stop.

And then I knew.

I knew I'd never have to go back.

Otherwise I'd die.

Because if I go home, he'll let me know how sorry he was that I came into this world.

Oh me too dad...

You have no idea how much I regret...