Obadiah

Twenty-Three

Warning: mentions of sexual assault

His skin was ablaze.

Even his own touch left him unsettled and afraid.

This wasn't right.

But it was familiar.

If only he had never tried to be regular.

No learning, no Guinevere, no life outside of these four walls.

He didn't need to try and learn about God.

He should've known better.

Why would God allow someone to touch him in His own house?

Sobs wracked his body as he lay across his bed.

He couldn't do this anymore.

He wasn't safe.

He wanted to tear his skin off and burn it.

He wanted to forever quiet his mind.

How could someone like him move forward?

In the frenzied state of his mind, he scrambled to remember the peaceful words of the Lord.

What did He say?

Exhaustion swept over him as he tried his hardest to remember.

"Please," He whispered before his eyes shut, abruptly and purposefully ending his pursuit.

-

"Obadiah!"

Chills covered his body at the harsh tone.

He shook his head rapidly and kept his head covered.

"You know you hear me, boy!"

He wanted to disappear, to die even.

Panic crippled him as the footsteps drew near.

The door opened, making his heart sink to his toes and tears pour from his eyes.

"Hide and seek. You worthless oaf,"

Cool air hit his chilled frame as the blanket was torn away from him.

Cruelty shone brightly in the eyes of his tormentor.

"Don't make me upset, Obadiah."

His eyes rolled as the impact of brute force struck his cheek.

"You'll learn."

Nails sunk into his jaw, making him cry out.

"I want you awake for this."

Pleas of mercy were stuck in his throat as the tormentor came closer.

No. No. No. No.

He was petrified.

Not again.

Save me.

Please.

"I want you to remember this forever."

"Nooooooooo!"

-

"-oooooo!"

Obadiah cried out grasping at the air, hoping to end his tormentor.

This was the worst of all.

He could feel everything.

He could remember everything that happened that night.

That was the night before he left.

It was the night that he swore to leave forever or die.

His first memory was of being hurt by his tormentor.