My Secret Angel

Chapter 1

     My eyes fluttered open to greet the sunlight streaming through the window. Memories from last night flood my mind. Hoping it was just a dream, I sat up, suddenly wincing from the searing pain in my abdomen. Last night was most definitely not a dream.

*FLASHBACK*

     "Get up you worthless piece of shit!" my dad screeched at me.

     I was too weak to get up fast enough, earning me a swift kick to the stomach. He pulled me into a standing position by a fistful of hair, causing me to shriek in pain. I felt as his palm connected with the side of my face... hard.

     Stumbling while clutching my cheek, I managed to increase the distance between my dad and I by a couple of feet. Glancing behind me, I expected to find him there ready to lash out at me again. But he wasn't even in the room. I heard a rattling sound coming from the kitchen. I came to the realization that he was probably grabbing another beer. He had always been a mean and angry drunk, so I always tried to hide when he wasn't sober. Unfortunately, it was a rare occasion for him not to be under the influence of alcohol... and he always ended up finding me.

     Seizing my chance, I quietly slipped out of the house and bolted down the street. It was eerily quiet, the only sound was my feet slamming down onto the road. My only light source was the dimly lit streetlights illuminating the rough asphalt. I never looked back, just focusing on getting to safety.

     My breath came out in short pants as the pain seemed to spread to my entire body. His house wasn't far away, but the pain made my lungs burn as I tried to catch my breath. Deciding I wasn't well enough to run, I decided to just walk/jog until I stumbled upon the refuge I was seeking.

     What felt like hours later, but in reality was mere minutes, I was jogging up the driveway to my best friend's doorstep. Wheezing and exhausted, I doubled over to catch my breath, only to whimper from the pain where my dad kicked me.

     Finally deciding I could make it up the last couple of steps, I knocked on his door. Within seconds I heard stumbling from inside of the house. The door swung open to reveal a sleepy Niall.

     He seemed alert with one glance at me. I must have been quite a sight. Without a question he pulled me into a hug and picked me up bridal style. Shutting the door with his foot and locking it, he carried me up to his room. By the time we reached his bedroom door, I was half asleep in his familiar and strong embrace.

     Tucking me into his bed, Niall crawled in on the other side and draped his arm over my hips. With him whispering soothing words in my ear, I quickly slipped into unconsciousness.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

     I pulled up my jumper to reveal the black, blue, and purple patches on my skin from the beating my dad gave me last night. Quite minor compared to some I've encountered in the past... my body covered in old scars.

     Glancing to my left, I saw Niall still fast asleep. I silently slid out of bed and tiptoed over to the door. As soon as I placed my hand on the door knob, I felt a pair of muscular arms snake around my waist.

     Fighting back a scream, I struggled to escape the tightening grip around me.

     "Shh, Ari, it's just me." Niall soothed in his raspy morning voice, his accent thick with fatigue.

     I turned around and instantly wrapped myself around his body. He chuckled as he stumbled backwards from the unexpected force of my body. We both tripped and fell onto the side of his bed.

     "Don't scare me like that," I croaked.

     "I'm sorry," he chuckled, "I felt you get up and I wanted to know where you were going."

     I breathed a sigh of relief. Who else would it have been? I was being paranoid. My dad was probably still drunk off his ass at home on the couch. I doubt he even realizes I'm gone.

     "Arianna?" Niall questions.

     I realized I must have spaced out again. It's been a bad habit I've had for while now.

    "Oh, yeah Ni?"

     "You never did tell me where you were going."

     "Haha well I was going to go make some breakfast. I'm starving!"

     As if on cue my stomach let out an embarrassingly loud grumble. Niall laughed to himself softly. His face suddenly turned serious.

     "So you are. When's the last time you ate?"

     "Three days ago..." I mumbled.

     "What was that?" Niall questioned, obviously not quite catching what I said.

     "Three days ago." I repeated painfully.

     I could already see his face clouding with anger towards my dad. Niall knew he had a habit of starving me as punishment. His anger almost completely masking the unshed tears in his crystal blue eyes.

     "Oh, baby," he gently whispered, giving me a protective hug. He pulled away, kissing my forehead, letting his warm lips linger there for a couple seconds.

     I mumbled an 'it's okay' but he could see right through my facade.

     "Well then, let's go make some food!" he suggested happily. Oh that boy and his food...