When Dusk Meets Dawn

Chapter 6

Kendall

I gasped softly upon seeing Asher's dad enter the room. The expression he wore was truly terrifying. "Asher Rivera," He spoke calmly but in a sickening way. "I don't even know what to do with you anymore," Asher gazed down at his shoes, his expression fearful. Mr. Rivera's eyes slowly shifted to me. "Leave us alone," he waved his hand. I bowed solemnly and quickly scurried out of the room. But I didn't close the door. I left just enough room for me to see what was happening. "Tell me, boy, what should I do with you?" Asher didn't respond. "I have given you several warnings, yet you refuse to comply," His head was still bowed, his dark hair falling into eyes. My breath hitched and I wished I had pulled him out of the room with me. "Well?" His father hissed. Asher breathed out but pursued his silence. "Answer my question!" I saw a glimpse of his father moving toward him but didn't see anymore because I had already turned away at that point. Anticipation ran through my veins even though I already knew what was going to happen. I heard a thud and Asher gasp in pain. Breathing fast and shallow, I covered my mouth with my hands to stop myself from screaming. There was no way.

I heard footsteps nearing the door and quickly got out of the way. His father walked out a satisfied grin on his face as he swept past me. Still breathing hard, I slowly stepped into the room and approached him. My eyes widened when I saw a bruise on his face. No freaking way. "Asher?" I whispered. He didn't respond. He seemed to be staring at nothing. I drew closer to him. "Go," He said suddenly. Taken aback I took a few steps away from him. "What do you mean-" "I said, go!" He finally met my gaze. His eyes were no longer the vivid, sparkling, green I had known. They looked empty and sullen. My lip quivered. I should have just left then. Instead I moved closer. "But- But- you'll be all alone," I stammered. "I want to be alone. Now leave before I make you," He snapped back. I breathed out. I had to help him. He was hurt. "Just let me-" He stood up and glared at me. "I swear to god, Kendall-" his fists were clenched in anger and if looks could murder, I'd have been dead by then. I took a couple more steps back before breaking into a run. I ran and ran until I was finally outside. I didn't care if I missed a shift. I couldn't go back. Not after what I had witnessed. Inhaling the frosty winter air, I began my three mile walk home.

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"Where the hell have you been?" Alex attacked me the second I walked in through the doorway. I didn't respond. Couldn't respond. My mind was still swimming with images that had been permanently etched onto the walls of my brain. I closed the door behind me and sank down onto the ground. I couldn't stop the tears anymore as they leaked from the corners of my eyes. Alex sat down beside me, her expression tender. "Oh, Kendall," I was sobbing freely now, holding onto Alex for support. "Is this because of Mom? Well you don't have to be sad... She's back!" She pointed to the kitchen doorway. Sniffling, I looked up. "Mom?" I whimpered. A blurry figure of my mother stood before me, looking down at me like I was a small, fragile, injured animal. Pity glistened in her eyes."Oh dear," she pulled me to my feet. "What- Honey- When...? Just come with me, okay?" I nodded as she dragged me to the living room. She pulled me onto the couch. "What happened, Kendall?" She brushed a strand of hair out of my face. "Is it because of me?" I nodded but then shook my head. "It wasn't just you..."

The entire story was spilling from my lips before I could stop it. At the end, my mother looked like she would start crying as well. "Sweetie, I am so, so, sorry on my behalf...I had no idea you felt that way. They've just been keeping me so busy at the hospital, and-" "It's okay, mom," I told her. "And about that boy - Asher, you call him? - don't stress too much about it, alright? He'll come around...He must have been upset about something," I had left out the part about Mr. Rivera hitting Asher. My mother hugged me one last time. "You're alright, Kendall," she whispered. "You're a strong girl,"