Babette's Story (Lawless Fanfic)

Chapter 26: Battered and Bruised

I was alone when I came to. The sun barely in the sky. My head was heavy, no doubt caused by deputy Rakes vicious blows. I laid on the ground looking towards the sky with a million thoughts and questions running through my mind. I sat up very slowly. My hand skimming my face knowing that there would be bruises. My cheek stung at the slightest touch and my lip felt swollen. My dress, smudged with dirt and grass stains was completely open. My body only covered by my slip. I heaved with inconsolable cries.

'Why? Why did this happen to me? Forrest is going to kill that deputy. What do I do? Where do I go? Is he still around watching me?' I tortured myself with these questions. I don't know how much longer I remained in the woods before I gathered enough strength to get back to the car. I stumbled groggily towards the vehicle. I had a pounding headache. Once inside I immediately drove away not wanting to stay another second in this place.

I was numb. I didn't know where I was driving to, but it didn't matter as long as it wasn't back at those woods. I came to a stop at a place that I thought was the last place I would ever go. 'Do I really want to go in there? Like this?' I thought to myself. I rested my head on the steering wheel, hot tears streaming down my face. So many emotions going through me all at once. I couldn't get myself together if my life depended on it. I was a mess- images playing in my head over and over again.

"Don't you think it's creepy to be sittin' outside your old house?" A voice came from beside me. Startled by this person's presence, I look their way to be met by my brother's eyes. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of my face. He hastily opened the door of the car.

"Jesus Christ!!" His hands reached out for me but he hesitated to touch my face. "Who did this to you!?" I couldn't look him in the eyes. I was ashamed of my appearance. I threw myself into his arms and cried into his chest. He didn't push me away he just held me. "I'll kill the son of a bitch who did this." Richie said through gritted teeth. "C'mon lets get you inside." He said as he lifted and cradled me in his arms.

He sped walked to the house door practically kicking it open. "Pop!! Eli!!" His voice raspy as he called out to them as if he were about to cry. "Pop!!" He placed me on the couch in the family room. "Pop!!" He yelled again as my father and other brother rushed to answer his calls.

"What's goin' on Rich? What's wi-" Eli stopped mid sentence at the sight of me. "The fuck happened to you Babette!?" His eyes filled with rage and fear simultaneously. I just cried making no eye contact whatsoever. He knelt down by my side trying to get a good look at the damage. "Who did this to you?" His voice was softer this time. I caught a glimpse of his eyes but quickly turned away. They were watery. "Talk to us, Baps. Please. Tell us what happened."

There was shuffling all around me. I didn't even notice when my aunt and cousin joined us. They were looking for stuff to clean me up. Angie clenched fresh clothes in her hand but made no move towards me.

"We need to get you cleaned up sweetie. Okay?" It was my aunt Gillian's gentle voice. I stared off into space. I wanted to answer but I just couldn't find my voice, knowing that I would lose my control.

"Babette, hunny, can you tell us who did this?" My pop asked cautiously. He was kneeling in front of me now. Gazing into my eyes intently. I felt my hard shell cracking. I didn't want to say that vile man's name. I felt sick just thinking about him. "Did something happen at the station?" He speculated. I shook my head.

"You boys can question her all you want, after we get her cleaned up and decent." She nodded at my tattered dress. Both of my brothers eyes traveled down to my dress. They were so focus on the damage of my face that they did not notice the condition of my clothes. Pop clenched his eyes shut understanding that the abuse I suffered was far more worse than they thought. Richie stomped off out to the front of the house. I could hear him screaming obscenities outside, as Eli stared at me with narrowed eyes and a tight jaw. Aunt Gillian came to my side- helping me up.