October 20th- 3:00pm
June
The school bell rang signaling the ending of school and I was immediately up and out of my chair. Knowing I needed to get home to cook then leave so my Uncle was happy. I was out the door before anyone else had risen from their seats and all but running down the halls. I was moving so fast and around students I couldn't stop in time to avoid running face first into a locker that flew open. Cursing under my breath as I stumbled backwards, rubbing my hand on my nose, I blinked twice and met the same brown eyes I had met earlier today.
"You again?" she said, sounding honestly stunned. "What is your problem?" she hissed suddenly suspicious.
I shrugged, opening and closing my mouth a few times before I could even force my mouth to form words. Oh god, she probably thought I was such a weirdo, I kept running into her. What if she reports me? What if she beats me up? I can't take anymore beatings. Ducking my head down I stared at my scuffed up barely held together converse, "I am so sorry, I didn't see you there." I whispered, scared of what she was going to say but also remembering I needed to get home. Anxiously I bounced on the balls of my feet, "I really am sorry but I have to go." I said as I moved past her and rushed down the hall once more.
The walk home was a blur that I barely remember, but as I moved around the kitchen all I could think about was where I was going to go tonight. I had nowhere to go, no place to run to, no safe place to find. I wish more than anything that I had a friend whom I could 'hang out with' but Issah strictly forbade it, saying if anyone found out what goes on in our home, the consequences would not be enjoyable for me.
I really didn't want to find out what he meant by that.
I had no idea what any 'consequence' could be worse than what he already does to me.
Putting the spaghetti noodles into the boiling water I began making the meat sauce and a veggie platter for the guests and Issah to pick from. The motions of chopping the food and cooking the meat was once again all a blur. It felt as if there was a timer over my head, counting down the minutes until my uncle got home and suddenly I remembered I still had to clean around the house. Allowing the food to simmer on the stove top I ran through the house picking up, dusting, and sweeping the floor. Plating the food and putting it out on the table with serving spoons and plates. I sighed and stepped back, making sure I got everything done off the mental list in my mind when I remembered the drinks.
"Shit!" I breathed, rushing back into the kitchen and grabbing some cups and the pitcher of lemonade out of the fridge when the sound of the front door opening creaked through the house like a sound of my nightmares. "Oh god, oh god..." I whimpered under my breath. Quickly I placed the pitcher with the glasses on the table and rushed into the hallway, my heart racing so fast I could feel it in my head.
"June." Issah uttered, his voice sounding rich with disdain and I knew I had massively fucked up when rushed forward and grabbed my arm in his rough punishing grip. "I thought I told you to be gone by the time I was home." he hissed in my ear. Whimpering I was unable to respond, my body was frozen. My heart proceeded to sink as I heard more voices come into the house and five male faces I had never seen before stood before me. "Excuse us gentlemen, while I go make sure my niece makes it to her room where she won't bother us." He growled the last bit, his grip getting impossibly tighter.
"We dont mind, Issah, I'm sure we could find something for her to do to keep her busy." One of them murmured, I could feel their eyes run up and down my body and my stomach rolled in disgust.
"After we discuss business of course, Jarrad." another man said.
"Yes of course." the man she was assuming was named Jarrad added.
Issah smirked, "Make yourself at home Gentleman, I will return momentarily." And with that I was being dragged off and guided down the hall instead of up the stairs and to the comfort of my bedroom. Instead of throwing me out the front door like I thought he might do, he opened the door to the basement and shoved me in, immediately I stumbled and tripped over my own feet and stumbled down a few steps. "If you make a single peep I will leave you down here for a week, June, you're pathetic I gave you simple orders, cook, clean ,and leave, you cant even do that right you Bitch." he scoffed and slammed the door right in my face blocking my only way out. The sound of the lock turning from the outside was gunshot in my brain, the sound making me breakdown and jump to the door trying my best to shove it open. I pushed and shoved and clawed and scratched at the door but I didn't make a sound. I couldn't see and I couldn't hear very well either. Sliding down the door, I trembled trying to not think about the darkness around me. It was so dark I couldn't even see my own two hands in front of my face.
"Please" I whispered under my breath, tears falling down my face, "Help me."
