The Hurt

Chapter 12

Melissa’s POV 

I laid in silence for a few more minutes, making sure that Jessica and Aaron were both asleep before I got out of bed. When Jessica went to bed, I could here Jake pacing back and forth; there was this one floorboard that always creaked when enough pressure is applied to it, but it stopped an about an hour ago so I assume that means he finally got tired enough to get some sleep. As for Jessica, I haven’t heard much from her room so I think she must have went to bed ages ago.

I slowly slipped out of bed, out of my room and into the dead silent hallway. I tiptoed passed Aarons room, stopping momentarily to hear him snoring quietly before continuing passed Jessica’s room. I peaked in the doorway just to make sure she was still in bed before I excitingly walked back to my room. I quietly shut the door behind me and went over to the window that faced the front of the house. I noticed that the roof right underneath my window was quite flat which gave me an idea.

I opened the window as quietly as I could so that I wouldn’t wake up anyone. I grabbed my sweater and iPod, then cautiously slipped out the open window and on to the roof. With my body low, I scaled the roof to find a suitable spot. Once at the top, I noticed a portion of the roof extended over what looks like another window facing the backyard. From its location, to the far left, it seemed to be above the window in Jessica’s room. I smiled, knowing it was the perfect spot.

Jessica hated it when I’d do this; she thought it was dangerous, but it was the perfect night so how could I not? I sat down on the extended piece of roof and put in my headphones. I pulled my knees into my chest and rested my head on them. I used to always do this at Uncle Georges house, without him knowing of course. Up here, I felt free and was able to sit alone with my thoughts. I craved these moments because they were the only things that I had; sitting on the roof was the only thing that was completely mine and no one would stop me from coming up here.

The full moon lit up the entire neighborhood and I could see all the way to the hills in the distance. It was a beautiful sight. It was a warm night with a slight breeze that still whisked the strands of hair that fell out of my bun. The dead silence of the night was interrupted by the sound of a train in the distance. I let the night engulf me as I drifted into my own world, my perfect world where I didn’t have to live in fear of being hurt.

Jessica’s POV

The walk back to Aaron’s house was longer than I initially thought it’d be, but I didn’t mind it. The cool night breeze created a calm, and brief sense of peace before he  crept back into my mind. I’m crazy, absolutely crazy. He’s dead and nothing will change that. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, there was a constant and growing ache in my heart every time I thought of him. Good, happy memories came to mind when I’d hear his name; the time he took me and baby Melissa to the park for a picnic or the water fights we’d have during the summer. Despite the chaotic atmosphere around us, he always managed to look on the bright side of things. When he was around, we were happy.

As I approached the house, I could vaguely see a silhouette of a figure in the window. Ah crap, Aaron must have woken up and realized I was gone. But when I opened the door I realized that it wasn’t Aaron or even Melissa, instead it was a man. He was definitely older, his salt and pepper hair was short and combed back. His face was stern and looked as if he had never smiled before. He was dressed in a suit and stood about two or three inches taller than me. “Ah Jessica, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“W-who are you?” I stuttered, he must be working with George.

“ A friend. I’m here to help you.” His voice was low and close to monotone. Something wasn’t right, this man was clearly not here to help me. I tried to back out the door, but instead bumped right into two taller men who looked just as menacing. “Don’t worry, we’re not here to hurt you Jessica.”