Together We Stand

CHAPTER FOUR

t is for trauma

Ruth Harper Everly

unedited

RUTH GLANCED AROUND THE DARKENED room, not being able to make out anything. She could feel a presence, an intimidating one. It felt like an aura with claws, maybe a tiger. It was out to get her, and she needed to run.

"Get- get away from me!" she gasped. She could feel it following her. Tears were streaming down her face as she shook in terrifying fear. "Please don't hurt me," She whimpered, now slowly backing away.

"Ruth," It growled, and Ruth couldn't help but feel she recognized the voice, but still it scared her. She felt the thing place a hand on her shoulder, and she screamed, running away once more. "Ruth, it's me. Dad."

"Daddy?" she whimpered, clutching her head. It couldn't be real, her father left. He didn't give a shit about her. "You left me, leave me alone! Leave me alone! Don't hurt me..."

The darkened space illuminated, and Ruth was able to make out her surroundings. She was in a wooded forest, but a single streetlight was in the middle of a clearing in the trees.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" The creature, her father, claimed. Ruth shriveled away from him. This was not her father. He had the same face, but something was wrong. He had... claws, long ones, at least five inches. She could see them glimmer, they were very sharp, like knives. How had she not noticed this before? Who put a hand on her shoulder? "You like my hands? Had them replaced for these beauties. Easier for hunting people, my love."

Ruth let out a shaky breath, deciding to run once again. She ran into the trees, ran until she couldn't see the streetlight, and darkness had surrounded her once again. But just as quickly, was a new streetlight placed, her father standing menacingly in front of it. But still Ruth ran, and ran, and ran. There had to be at least five streetlights by now, and Ruth was panting in fear and exhaustion. She collapsed on the ground just as he appeared above her.

"These babies are better than a belt, my dear," he whispered with a smile, and smashed his hand onto her stomach.

Ruth liked pain, she'd cut herself, but this wasn't the pain she wanted. She let out a screech, as tears flowed freely from her eyes, and the blood from her stomach pooled around her. She could feel the warmth around her, seeping into her clothes, skin, hair, shoes. It kept flowing, and flowing, warming her up unpleasantly.

"I'll always be with you, my dear Ruthie," He cackled, applying more pressure as she let out a forced breath and cry.

"Daddy! Stop!" She cried out, her arms flailing as she tried to get away from him.

His claws were now coated in blood and tears, the crimson red illuminated in the dim lights. She looked up at his face, seeing no love for her in his blue eyes. Instead, she saw menace, out to get her. And he got her. He had her in his grasp. She let out a choked gasp as blood gurgled out of her throat. She tried to back away, but his claws digged deeper into her stomach, making her cry out even louder.

"Dad! Dad... Stop it, please!" Ruth cried, shooting up in bed. Tears were welling in her eyes, as she gasped for air. She is shaking, hugging her knees as she screams.
"Ruthie," she heard a voice whisper, and she shot her head to where the voice came from fearfully.

"Don't hurt me, please," she whimpered, backing up on the bed and hitting the wall.

"Shhh, it's okay," she whispered, the voice coming closer to her as Ruth shivered into the wall. "It's Venus, baby."