Alone

13

Parker put her shoulder under Austin's arm and helped him up the steps to the house. With her help he was able to make it to her room where he collapsed on her bed. Parker sat down and began to feel his leg, trying to find whether or not it was broken. He winced in pain as she gently touched his new wound.

"What happened down there?"

He shrugged.

"I'm not entirely sure how to explain it."

"You mind if I ask some questions?"

"Of course."

"What's your girlfriend's name?"

"Vanessa."

She nodded. Austin had been afraid that she would ask about that.

"I should apologize for her behavior, she's not used to being in contact with those above her."

She went silent for a moment, thinking of the was he addressed her. She shook her head then changed the subject.

"I'm guessing that boy is the same one that hurt your face?"

"Yes, Sailor."

"Has he always been cruel to you?"

"Yes."

"How so?"

"He and his 'friends' made me do their chores around the house, took things that I had, beat me up a couple of times more recently and sexual abuse a couple of times."

She raised her eyebrow.

"Why can't I see that in you?"

He looked up at her confused.

"I can usually understand what people have been through by their appearance, their walk, the little details about them and the big picture of their lives. Like your girlfriend, Vanessa. She was a house servant before getting herself into debt and being forced into slavery. Her parents both died when she was young and she has no family left, for that she was bullied as a child."

"How on earth did you know that?"

"I observed, I always do, but with you, the pain that should be evident isn't there."

"I suppose I've just made peace with everything."

"I wish I could be like you."

She said taking her hand off of his leg.

"There's nothing broken, you probably pulled a muscle trying to walk after that."

"If I may, you defended me, why?"

"Because nobody deserves to be treated like that, especially for no reason."

"No one's ever done that for me before."

"Well, I guess it was just time that someone did."