As winter turned into spring, Tim's situation at home grew more unbearable. His father's drinking escalated, and the abuse became more frequent and severe. Tim did everything he could to avoid his father, spending as much time as possible at school, at football practice, or with Lucy and Angela. But there were nights when he had no choice but to go home, and those were the nights that left him battered and bruised, both physically and emotionally.
One night, after a particularly brutal encounter with his father, Tim found himself standing on the front porch of Lucy's house, his whole body trembling with pain and exhaustion. He didn't know where else to go, and he didn't want to be alone. He knocked on the door, his heart pounding in his chest.
Lucy answered the door in her pajamas, her face lighting up when she saw him—until she noticed the state he was in. Her expression changed instantly, her eyes widening in shock and concern.
"Tim, what happened?" she asked, reaching out to touch his arm.
Tim flinched at the contact, the pain from his father's blows still fresh. He shook his head, unable to find the words. "I...I didn't know where else to go," he said hoarsely.
Lucy's heart broke at the sight of him. She stepped aside, pulling him gently into the house. "Come inside. You're safe here."
Tim nodded, allowing her to guide him into the living room. He sank down onto the couch, his whole body aching. Lucy sat beside him, her hands trembling as she reached out to gently lift his shirt, revealing the bruises that marred his skin.
"Tim..." Lucy's voice cracked, tears filling her eyes. "We have to do something. We can't let this keep happening."
Tim looked away, shame and fear warring within him. "There's nothing we can do, Lucy. He's my dad. I just have to deal with it."
"No," Lucy said fiercely, her hand resting on his. "You don't have to deal with this. This isn't normal, Tim. It's not okay. You deserve better than this."
Tim shook his head, the years of abuse and self-doubt weighing heavily on him. "I don't know what to do."
Lucy took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "We'll figure it out together. But you can't keep going back there. Stay with me tonight, okay? We'll talk to Angela in the morning, and we'll figure out what to do."
Tim stared at her, the tears he'd been holding back finally spilling over. "I don't want to go back there, Lucy. I'm scared."
Lucy pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly as he finally let himself cry. "You don't have to go back, Tim. I'm here. I'll always be here."
