A Red Lighter

Caleb: Healed Scars and Fading Bruises

I hated days when the coach wanted to see me at lunch, it always made me feel a thousand times worse than I already did. But today was the worst, as I was on my hands and knees under the coach's desk, the door opened.

"Hey coach" the voice was oddly familiar but I had to worry about not choking to the death then who the voice belonged to.

I gagged as the coach pushed further into my throat and tried to pull my head away but only found the coach's hand wrapped firmly around my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

They talked for a little too long but once the door shut coach let up a little. I could feel the tell-tale sign that coach was close to the edge. And as he stiffened I once again tried to pull away but to no avail. I felt like I had to puke and I wanted nothing more than to scrub my teeth and tongue till they bled.

"Hey, Caleb look at me" I did what I always did and followed orders "You're so beautiful when you cry" I closed my eyes as he wiped the tears from my cheek "I could take care of you...better than your father does and all I want in return is that you take care of my too."

"A-are you going to pay me" my voice broke as I spoke "o-or was t-this our special time a-again"

"Do you need the money" I shook my head yes and the coach smiled as he handed me a hundred dollar bill "Caleb you want to spend some time together, we can miss the period after lunch" I shuddered as the coach ran his fingers over my bare chest, my shirt still discarded under the desk. His fingers running over healed scars and fading bruises.

"I have to go to class" I whispered pulling my shirt over my head

"Okay, baby next time" I went to speak but was cut off when the coach pressed his lips against mine.

I ran out of the coach's office and straight to the stalls in the boys change room. I needed to vomit then bolt home or start work early, something to get me away from this school. When I was done puking my guts out, I was more than startled to see Connor the kid I stole from standing at the door.

"Hey" he all but yelled

"Please... I'm so sorry" I continued to ramble out apologies but was cut off when he asked me about the coach

"I did him a favor" I didn't hear the question but I knew the answer and before he could ask me another one, I booked it between his legs and fled.

I didn't bothering grabbing my backpack or any of the school work I had to do. Once I was a good block away from the school I reached into my pocket to grab my smokes, but after searching each pocket I realized the principal seized them.

"FUCK" I yelled kicking anything that was near me, I was so angry and I had to get it all out before I got home. Because once I got home I had to be an obedient little bitch.

I was in the midst of cooling down when a car pulled up beside me. I instantly went into work mode and calmed down, only to be filled with self hatred and fear.

"Get in" and of all people to pick me up I really figured that Connor, the cops son wouldn't be the one "I'll give you a ride home," I knew that ploy before and I didn't believe it for a second.

I didn't listen as Connor asked me questions and after just one I was done. So I turned on the radio, if he wanted to talk it would cost him more. I was fine with him taking me to a hotel or some other sleazy place where the manager's just turned a blind eye because I was just another whore. But when I saw that he was taking me back to his house I slowly started to panic on the inside.

I followed closely behind Connor as he got out of the car and started to walk towards his house. I didn't like this neighbourhood; everyone was rich and turned their noses up to me. I got lost in my thoughts as we made our way to the back door. About how police officers don't make that much money or how Connors mom must make a ton and really just about anything then what was really going on?

I ran smack into Connors back causing him to nearly fall over and sending me straight to the dirt. I felt so fucking stupid, I just ran into the costumer, if word got back to dad he would beat me. When Connor turned around I knew that he was going to hit me so I started muttering apologies.

But when the long awaited hit never came I realized that Connor wasn't actually a customer.

"Please just take me home...Dad's going to be pissed as is and me being late isn't going to help" Connor agreed but then entered the house, so I followed him closely

I remembered where the kitchen was and where the liquor was, that was about it. But Connor led me up into his bedroom. Talking about something I could care less about. That's when I spotted the pack of smokes. So I swiped them, I had my lighter I just needed something to light.

"Really kid" Connors voice caught me off guard "is there anything you have that you didn't steal" I smirked at this comment

"No"

Connor just laughed at my words and I couldn't help but genuinely smile along with him. It was nice to not feel pressured or forced to do anything that I didn't want too. So I lit a smoke and let the nicotine curl around my tongue. If I was going to feel safe for whatever little amount of time it may last I want to enjoy it.

"Dude" Connors voice pulled my out of my thoughts "smoking's bad for you"

"A lot of things are bad for me" My words came out harsher than I meant them to

Connor just shrugged and turned on the radio, it wasn't anything I've ever heard but it kept the silence at bay so who was complaining. It didn't take me long to finish my cigarette and after the general satisfaction it provided was gone, I found myself drifting off to sleep.

"Caleb" the voice was harsh and rough as it called me down the stairs "GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE"

I tried to be as quiet as I could, if dad was already drunk pissing him off would just do more damage. But just like everything I do I fucked it up and ended up running right into him. And just as I thought he was plastered

"WHAT IS THIS" he asked holding up a piece of paper to my face

"Uhmm" it was too close for me to read so I just shook my head "I don't know" his laugh was evil and I knew that there was no way I was getting out of here bruise free.

I didn't expect him to go for my throat though and as his cold unforgiving fingers wrapped around my neck I figured this was it, theses were going to be my last breaths.