WHERE ARE YOU CHARLIE?

NOW - CHAPTER 13

"Shall we take her to the hospital?" One of the men asked as soon as the car started.

"No, please!" I exclaimed, remembering what Mrs. Fields had said on Friday.

"If things don't settle down with you here, you'll be sent to a foster center specialized in teenagers whose parents are involved in some criminal activity based in Carnforth up north..."

"I'll be ok. Just drop me at the bottom of Chamberlayne Gardens..." I added with as much authority as I could muster in spite of the throbbing pain that seemed to come from everywhere.

When no blows had rained a few seconds later, I let go of the breath I'd been holding.

"What number do you want us to drop you at?" the same man asked after a while.

"I'll walk, don't worry about it..." I mumbled, no longer capable of keeping my strong façade.

"What number?" The dangerous voice above me didn't match the gentleness he'd used with me.

"Ninety four..." I answered, knowing that arguing with him would lead me nowhere.

They rang the gate bell for me before driving away quickly.

"Hello?" I recognized Dennis's father.

"Mr. Monroe, it's Zoe..." I called from the pavement. "Is Dennis there, please?"

"What's going on? I can't see you, Zoe..." His voice was laced with worry but I heard the side gate open. "Den!" He then shouted. "Zoe's there! She needs you..."

I stood up slowly, my legs unsteady under me and I instinctively reached for the blindfold. They'd tied it too tightly that I couldn't take it out.

I reached in front of me blindly until I came into contact with a wall. I held onto it hoping Dennis would hurry. He must have heard my silent prayers because I heard him run to me.

"What the f*ck happened, Zoe?!" He yell-whispered when he finally reached me. Ever so gently, he lifted me into his arms and carried me inside.

"I'm calling the Police..." I heard Mr. Monroe say.

"Please, Sir, No!" I pleaded. "I'll explain everything but please don't call the Police or an ambulance..."

He sighed loudly.

"Get that blindfold off her eyes..." He instructed Dennis who sat me down a stool and proceeded to cut the dark piece of fabric.

It took me a few seconds to get used to the light again once he was done.

"D-do you want to lie down?" Dennis was as pale as a ghost and for a second I wondered whether I'd made the right decision by coming here.

I shook my head.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come here..." I mumbled.

"What?!" He exclaimed. "No! Zoe, please, don't say that!" He quickly added. "You just look in so much pain... I hate to see you suffer..."

"Son..." Mr. Monroe was back in charge. "What do you need Zoe?"

"C-could you clean my wounds and dress them for me, p-please?" I asked in a small voice.

"You mean your face?" He asked with a frown.

I shook my head. "No, my back..." I unzipped my hoodie and took it off as delicately as I could.

Mr. Monroe gasped from behind me.

"What...?" Dennis' voice trailed as he took in my bloodied tee-shirt.