House of Horrors || 18+

Chapter 17| Hannah

"I want Kyler behind bars. He needs to be locked away," I confess to April. We're currently sitting on my couch drinking coffee, as I discuss what happened with Kyler and why I have bruises on half of my body.

When I called April, she rushed over here. April's reaction when she got here was what I expected. It was one of shock, struggling to comprehend the image of me battered and bruised. I explained that it was Kyler, and she was confused. She thought the same thing that I did; that Kyler had left town as April demanded.

"I have proof, all I have to do is report him, report what Kyler did to me. I need to finally make it official, expose what he's done to me."

April, ever the realist, questions the solidity of my claim. "But what if it doesn't go anywhere? Like don't you have to have a witness or something?"

She has a point; but I'm sure with the proof I have, it will be easy to get justice. I want Kyler to pay the price for what he did to me, and is still doing to me. I want him to face the consequences for his actions. If I report him now, when I still have proof of bruises and wounds, it'll make it that much easier. Physical proof that brings justice just within my reach.

I also really want to tell April about Nathan. My cheeks warm at the thought of Nathan and last night; thankfully April left to get more coffee and can't see my face or she would think I am truly crazy.

Last night was amazing, just the memory brings a smile to my lips. I left this morning, with wobbly legs, and a dazed smile across my face.

I snap out of my thoughts when April sits back down.

"You should go to the police now, while it's still early in the day; reports like these can take hours to record," April says matter of factly. She's right.

April leaves shortly after, and I go upstairs to get ready to leave.

Picking out something to wear that is easy to take off to show bruises, I chose a pink button-up flannel with a black tank-top underneath and plain black skinny jeans.

I shakily apply some jewelry and spray some perfume.

Once I am ready to go, I grab my keys and my phone, and make my way to the police station.

Still having bruises on my face, my arms, and my stomach, I did not want to leave my home, but for this, I will. I need to do something; Kyler can not just walk free from this. Not now. Before, I didn't do anything because I was moving anyway, so I was going to be free from him. But now? He's still hurting me, and I can't just sit here and do nothing. Hell, he could be hurting other women and not just me. The thought alone makes my skin crawl.

I shake off the thought for now, and drive to the station.

***

Officer Gordon, his badge gleaming under the stark fluorescent lights, greets me with a concern that wrinkles his brow, the alarm clear in his eyes as they take in the bruises marring my face. "I'm Officer Gordon. How may I assist you today?" His voice, a blend of authority and empathy, fills the sterile air of the precinct.

"I would like to file an abuse report," I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

He nods, understanding flashing in his gaze, and motions for me to follow him. "Follow me, ma'am." He takes me to a room that you would see in a movie; stone walls, and nothing but a metal table and two chairs.

"I'll need to ask you some questions, and then I will need further proof to go further in this case." I nod and take a deep breath. I'm digging deep into memories I've tried so hard to forget. I'm hashing out a past that I never wanted to remember.