Anger

Chapter Five

"What did Isaac do? Tell me!" Nick yelled. "I'm going to fucking kill him. I swear, I will."
"Nick, please." I cried. "Henry is upstairs sleeping." Nick raised his hands and sat on the couch across from us. Rian was silent and teary-eyed. She continued to hold my hand while I cried.
"He called me. He knows I'm here. And now he knows that Rian knows what he did."
Nick put his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes and temples.
"What do we do? You said yourself when it happened not to get police involved for Henry. Mom and dad left this house to us, we grew up in it, we can't just sell it."
There was only one thing I could do to protect those I held dear, one obvious answer.
"I'm leaving with Henry tonight and you can't stop me. I thought coming back was a good idea, but it's not. I need to protect Henry, He is my one priority." Nick and Rian nodded in agreement. Tears fell from Rian's eyes and I gave her a tight squeeze.
"It was good to see you again, sister. I love you. Maybe one day I'll see you again." I whispered. I had always hated goodbyes but this was different. This was forever.
"I love you too." She cried out, sobbing on my shoulder. I stood and hugged Nicholas.
"I love you brother. We both tried our best, but life had different plans. Stop blaming yourself." I whispered. He squeezed me tighter and I could feel him trying to hold back his crying.
"I love you Juniper. You better come back with Henry." I nodded and headed upstairs. Rian helped me pack my clothes while Nick packed Henry's and woke him up. Leaving again made me miss how simple life used to be, and how much I missed my mom and dad. I wished I could get myself out of this situation with their help. I could feel tears again as I got lost in my thoughts, and Rian held my hand.
"Don't blame yourself Juniper. You said no and he didn't listen. It's completely his fault." I nodded but I couldn't help but blame myself. I said no, but he was my boyfriend at the time. He was my boyfriend, and I loved him and I thought he loved me. If I had said yes, I wouldn't be in this situation. But if I had said yes then Isaac would be in Henry's life.
I finished packing and headed downstairs. Henry had fallen asleep again on the couch, his head on Nick's lap and his little suitcase by the door. I picked him up gently, making sure not to wake him. Nick handed me money but I tried to give it back. It was a flashback to when I left the first time.
"Take it. Find somewhere to go where you're safe."
I muttered thank you and looked back at Rian who was a crying mess on the couch.
"A proper goodbye, Rian." I said, coming over to her. I gave her another hug and I left.

I drove and I kept driving until I was out of the town. I pulled into the first motel before I ran out of gas. I couldn't afford to make other stops than this motel. I made sure that I wasn't being followed before I went inside and locked the door behind me. Henry was fast asleep on the bed but I was wide awake. I couldn't help but live in fear and paranoia for my son. I had to protect him at all costs, no matter what.
I laid next to Henry, looking at his sweet innocent face. As much as I hated Isaac, Henry looked like him. Henry had my red curls, my freckles and my nose, but he had his father's blue eyes, dimples, and smile. I still loved Henry with all my soul. I knew he would never end up like his father. My son was a good boy and someday, I knew, he would end up a good man like Nicholas and my own father. I raised him to be good and so far I was doing a good job. Then I heard a pounding on my door. I shot up, my heart racing and sweat starting to form. There was only one person it could possibly be, meaning I had failed Henry. The pounding continued until Henry woke up. He rubbed his tired eyes, yawning and stretching to life.
"Mommy what is that?"
"Nothing sweetie." I nervously said. I picked him up, ignoring the door. I took him to the bathroom, setting him on the floor. I handed him my cell phone.
"Remember what we discussed about emergencies? Repeat it to me Henry."
"Mommy what's happening?"
"Please Henry, don't question me. Jusy please repeat it so I know you understand."
"Only call 911 if I'm scared or hurt or you can't get to the phone."
"Good boy. Henry I have a visitor at the door. Do not come out of this bathroom until I tell you to. The moment you get scared, call 911, but do not leave this bathroom until they get here, alright?" He nodded looking like he was going to cry. I didn't want to frighten him but I knew how this would go and for my son, I would do anything to protect him.
"I love you. Do not cry or worry, I will be alright, I promise." I stuck out my pinky and he linked his with mine. I left, closing the door behind me. The pounding continued until I opened the door. Isaac barged in slamming the door behind him and grabbing me by my throat, slamming me against a wall. I yelled in pain as my head and spine hit the wall.
"You fucking lied to me Juniper. I expected you to tell Nicholas but you also told Rian." His face was inches from mine and red from anger as he yelled with a clenched jaw.
"I'm sorry Isaac. I'm sorry! Please..."
"No. You fucked up. I told you it was my town. And now you're all alone. Who's going to help you?" His anger turned into a smirk. I knew what was coming next. He quickly pulled me close, throwing me over his shoulder. I screamed, kicking and slamming my fists into his back. He walked over to the bed, throwing me down and pinning me.
"It's just like old times, isn't it Juniper? Oh how I missed you." He whispered, his hot breath hitting my face. I was terrified for my son, not myself. What if he didn't listen and he came out of the bathroom to see his father raping his mother? He would be traumatized. He was listening to everything right now.
Isaac kissed me, and I could feel stinging coming up my throat. I bit him and he yelled in pain, bringing his fist hard against my cheek.
"It's easier if you don't resist. I thought you would learn your lesson." He choked me, his tight fingers pressing into my neck. I couldn't breathe or yell. His fingers pulled at my shirt, the sound of fabric ripping echoed throughout the room like thunder. I tried to claw him off and punch him. I hit him a few times before he hit me again, bringing stinging pain to my mouth and nose, warm blood dripping down my face.
"Look at the mess you made, bitch!" His fingers pulled at my jeans, but I snapped my legs shut as tight as I could trying to stall him before the police came. I knew Henry was frightened right now and called the police, or at least I prayed he had.
Isaac punched me in my chest, knocking the wind out of me and making me weak. My vision began to blur and I couldn't fight back anymore. I felt my jeans come off and I tried to say no, but all that came out was slurred words. Before he could go any further, I heard the sound of sirens and tires slam to a stop. There was pounding on the door and Isaac jumped off me.
"How? How did you call them? Did you know I was coming?"
I found myself laugh and spit blood on him.
"You're...getting what you...deserve...you piece of shit..."
In anger he wrapped his hands around my throat again choking me. I didn't care; the police were here and whatever happened to me, Henry would be safe from Isaac forever now.
"Police, open the door!" They yelled from outside. I screamed as loud as I could, until I could hear the door being slammed open. I heard guns cock as Isaac jumped off of me.
"Freeze! Put your hands behind your head and get on your knees." A blurry Isaac complied, throwing hateful stares my way. They came behind him, cuffing him and throwing him outside. Two police officers came over to me, checking to see if I was alright.
"Ma'am can you hear us? Are you alright?"
I put my hand up and shook my head.
"My son... he's in the bathroom. I was trying to protect him... Don't let him see me like this... that's his father but he doesn't know that. Don't tell him... please..."
One of the officers called for a paramedic. He picked me up and took me outside while the other cop went to the bathroom. Isaac was being patted down and read his rights. I could hear my son crying and screaming for me as the cop tried to calm him down and talk to him. I didn't keep track of how long it took the paramedics to get to the motel. They brought my son outside to me and Isaac saw him.
"Who is that?" He screamed. "Is that my son? You fucking bitch! Is that my son? I'll fucking kill you! You hid him from me!" They threw him in the back and Henry cried in my arms.