Hollow Whispers

The Physical Soul

"One time for a nigga who knows. Don't save her, she don't want to be saved."

J-Cole blasted from the speakers in Vale's room. She lightly bobbed her head to the beat of the music. The song had been on repeat for quite some time as she turned up the music after the first time so the bass would come in clearer.

"One time for my L.A. sisters, One for my L.A. hoes, Lame niggas can't tell the difference, One time for a nigga who knows, Don't save her, she don't want to be saved."

The song replayed again as the chorus came in once more. Vale enjoyed the song thoroughly as it connected to the harder aspects of her life. The second verse started as the front door slammed shut signaling it was time for the music to be turned down.

"No role models and I'm here right now, No role models to speak of, Searching' through my memory, My memory I couldn't find one"

The loud voice of her rather cut through the sound of the music like a knife.

"Vale! I said turn that piece of shit off!"

Vale got up and sighed got up turning off the music just as the third verse rolled in to only be cut from the speaking the second line.

"I really hate my life."

She sighed while she waited for the abuse that was undoubtedly about to come as soon as he got his first beer. It came sooner than she expected as her father, a large man of about five foot eleven barged in through her door. If you saw them out in public you would think they were not related at all with his darker Puerto Rican features and her with the fair and light features of her late mother. He hated her mother, the woman who grew sickly and died, leaving him to deal with their only child.

Dereck was her fathers name. The first time she actually learned his name was when her aunt was yelling at him to stop as Vale's arms flailed aimlessly in the air as her oxygen was cut off due to the large hands around her neck.  It was almost like that time right next. Except, he had his foot on her chest and was repeatedly stomping on her every time she moved her body. He called her every insult that could come to his toxic mind.

"You filthy piece of trash. I swear you probably enjoy getting leered at because you can't keep your legs closed. If i had a cork id give it to you so you could have at least kept track of when your cherry popped."

His voice was low and gruff as he kept up with the of insults until he tired of hearing himself and left with the slamming of the already battered door. Vale coughed as she turned onto her side and threw up the blood in mouth. Her eyed watered as she continued to heave for air but no sobs were to be made in this house. They would only be answered with fists to silence them. She got up shakily as she quickly begin to clean the waste off the floor. It was done quickly and silently the only sound coming from the water being rinsed into the bucket she used. The night drew to a close as Dereck fell asleep on the couch in his drunken stupor. Vale closed her eyes and came to a world of blackness as she lay there for long hours unable to sleep. It had been going on like this for over a week now, but her mind occupied the time with wordless fantasies and countless scenarios of her life in different ways.

"Useless"

She spat in disgust, only to realize she had spoken aloud. With a sigh she gripped the covers tighter and tried to drift off.

"Get the fuck up!"

Dereck yelled from his spot on the couch downstairs as Vale's alarm sounded off once more as if trying to one up the man. Vale groaned as she shut the screaming device off, dreary eyed getting out of bed she stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.

"Just another day."

she mumbled to herself as she silently slipped her under garments off and stepped into the steaming shower enjoying the hiss of steam as her skin recoiled under the assault of warmth. The goose bumps that rose amused her but she quickly got down to it as she began to scrub herself and wash her hair.  It would definitely be a long day indeed.

The bell rang signalling it was the time of the day again where Vale would head up to the 'Open hearts, closed minds' group meeting. The title was supposed to represent that everyone there, was there because of their own accords and actions, but it was clear bullshit since no one is always one hundred percent responsible for their actions. There are just too many variables to consider, but that didn't stop anyone from saying it was our fault.