Consumed

Chapter 5: Meri

"Who was here?" My mom staggers into the kitchen, the smell of cheap beer and vodka wafting off her like a suppressing cloud.

"No one." I duck my head in submission and put her plate out onto the table. The food's only lukewarm since I didn't have enough time to get it fully cooked. I really hope she doesn't notice it in her inebriated state.

"I saw a jacket in the front on the hook."

Heat rushes into my cheeks. He left the jacket? I told him I couldn't take it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sharp pain explodes in my cheek as she slaps me. I lose my balance and fall back against the counter. More pain splits down my spine as my back collides with the sharp corner of the granite countertop. Stifling my cry of pain, I struggle to catch my balance and keep the tears at bay. I deserve this... I remind myself of that fact. I lied to her. I deserve it.

"Don't you dare lie to me!" She slaps me again, harder this time.

I try to absorb the blow by leaning back, but I just lose my balance again. This time, I land on my behind on the cold floor. Pushing myself back, I stare up at her with teary eyes. But I refuse to let the tears fall. I refuse. I am strong enough to take my punishment like an adult. I deserve this.

"I can't stand the sight of you," she slurs, bending over to peer at me. "Get out of my house."

Mutely, I get up and flee for the door. I know better than to argue with her. If I do, I'll get an even worse beating and no food in the morning. If this is the form of punishment she has chosen, so be it.

In a way, Milan's coat is a gift. At least I'll be a little warmer tonight. But I'll be lucky if I don't die. I can't go to the neighbors. They'll know something's going on. There've been too many times that they've heard yelling and crying from our house. Anyway, they're the mind your own business types. None of them have lifted a finger to help me, and I don't want them to. I don't need anyone's concern. This mess is my fault, and I should be responsible enough to fix it.

I guess that leaves staying out here in the cold. Grabbing my threadbare backpack, I go outside and sit on the steps. My mom always locks the door, so there's no way to get back in once she's asleep. She brings the outdoor key inside too.

Just in case, I check our hiding place. Sometimes, if she's drunk enough, she forgets. My heart lurches into my throat as I find that it's gone. Flopping down onto the steps, I stare up at the darkening night sky in abject silence. Stars twinkle brightly, winking at me from the sky.

Sighing, I shove my hands into the pockets of Milan's coat. The hard shape of a cell phone meets my numb fingertips. My eyes widen as I pull it out. The screen turns on when I press the button, and there's no password. Maybe I can see if Milan will help. What are you thinking? He already knows something's wrong. If you ask for a place to spend the night, he'll wonder. My mind snaps back at me. It's freezing out here. You're going to die of hypothermia if you stay on these steps all night. Trust him. He'll help.

I stare down at the phone, uncertainty quivering through me. Shivers assail me as I breathe out. The exhale sends out plumes of steam. The rational side of me is right. If I want to live, I have to call. It's well below zero out here right now. My fingers are already numb, and my nose is sore from the wind. Flipping the hood of the jacket up, I look through the contacts.

Fortunately for me, Milan's home number is the first one on the list. I select it with trembling fingers and wait for it to ring. Fear spirals through me, dragging my very soul down into darkness as I listen to the dial tone. Pick up... No, don't... I don't know... Just... Pick up. I think, biting my lip.