Lifelines

Chapter 3

It was around midnight by the time I got back to my house and I had the feeling of dread at the pit of my stomach as soon as I walked through the door. Then I heard the yelling.

"Get out!" I heard my Aunt's terrified screams and cringed at the loud sound that reminded me of a smack. "Shut up!" I heard her boyfriend, Frank, yell back who continued to call Aunt Ray terrible names. I couldn't listen to this. I couldn't just stand by while she got hurt.

I ran upstairs to find him pressing her against the wall and whispering threatening things in her ear. "She said to get out." I tried saying in the most confident way possible but all the man did was laugh at me. I couldn't blame him. I was an ant compared to his height and build. "Run along and let the grownups talk." he sounded so evil. So satisfied to be threatening a woman. I cautiously walked up to them and got in between the couple. "You will leave now." I stated angrily. Next thing I know I'm the one being pressed against the wall with the smell of bourbon and sweat filling my nose. He moved his face closer to mine but all I could do was turn my head to the other side. "Aw, come on darlin'." He grabbed my chin forcefully, making me look straight into his cold eyes. "Your awfully pretty. Maybe you'd be a better time than that old hag right there."

I felt so disgusted. He was touching me in places I didn't want and all Aunt Ray did was stand there and watch. While this grown man was groping her own niece, she stood and watched. I continued to struggle beneath Frank's strength and came up with an idea.

"Why don't we go somewhere more comfortable?" I gave him a fake smirk that made me want to throw up. I felt the pressure of his arms lessen and found my chance to escape. I pushed him back forcefully, which caught him off guard, and ran. I ran as fast as I could outside not even looking back. I felt a strain on my ankle and that's when I felt a searing pain in my head, falling into darkness.

*****
Ever get the feeling where you think you should be dead but you're still unfortunately alive? That's how I felt when I woke up on a couch in a room I did not recognize and saw a little girl staring at me from a few feet away. "Mommy! She's awake!" The girl's scream made my head ache and next thing I knew a lady came rushing in with two boys by her side. Guess who they were?

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." I groaned and quickly apologized for cursing in front of the what I assumed to be a three year old child. Carson and Luke never brought her up. "Honey, do you remember anything from last night?" The woman who I'm assuming is Mrs. Anderson asked and offered me a cup of tea. "Just that your sons are lying pieces of..." I noticed the little girl watching me intently, "...dog poop. Can I go home now?"

I didn't mean to sound rude but I really didn't want to be in the same room as Luke and Carson right now. They didn't have to know what went on in my home. I had my secrets too. Wow, talk about hypocritical. God, I'm a terrible friend.  "Honey, it's Saturday." I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. I've been out for a whole day? I didn't realize I'd said it aloud until the little girl spoke. "Yes but mommy and I took great care of you. Luky and Carsom said they know you. I told them you are very pretty. I'm Maggie."

She made me smile. A genuine smile came to my lips when she spoke. "Hello Maggie. I'm Cassandra. What's your favorite color?" I don't know why I asked it. I wasn't very good with children but I was randomly curious. I didn't have any younger siblings and I wonder what it must be like. Then I noticed she didn't have the same blue/green colored eyes as her brothers. They were a deep chocolate brown.

"Purple. My whole room is painted purple. What about you?" I smiled again and sat up straight. "Mine is also purple." Her grin got so big that it made my heart melt. "Can you play house with me?" She begged but her mother interrupted her and turned to me. "Maggie let the big kids talk okay? Go play upstairs with Barbie." She took off super fast and yelled a word that sounded a lot like female dog. I don't recall saying that so I should not be blamed.

"She's cute." I told Mrs. Anderson. "I really should be on my way now." I tried sitting up straighter when I felt a pain in my head and ankle. "Don't try sitting up too fast. Can you remember anything that happened yesterday night?" I looked to the boys who had bags underneath their eyes and looked at me with extreme concern. After everything I've said and they still care?

"I got home and I went to bed." I lied. "Why were you knocked out cold on the sidewalk then?" She challenged me and I froze.

"I shouldn't have been home so late and I didn't mean to interfere I just didn't want her to get hurt." I sounded so small. So weak.

"Who did this to you?" Now it was Lucas who spoke and I immediately felt tears come to my eyes. "It doesn't matter. It's over now. Can I go home?" I begged. "Not until you tell us what happened." This time it was Carson who spoke and his voice was stern. He sounded angry. I looked down at my hands. "My Aunt's boyfriend. I walked home and I heard them yelling. She screamed for him to get out and I didn't want to hear it. I ran upstairs and told him to leave her alone. He looked so mad. He called me things. Said gross things to me and her." I gulped wishing I didn't remember anything. "He had me pushed up against the wall and...he started to...do things. Aunt Ray just stood there and watched. I finally got out and I ran outside. I felt my head hit the pavement. That's all I remember. Can I go home now?" They all looked at me with shock and anger. Mostly the boys showed anger. "Can I go?"

The boys remained silent and their mother shook her head. "Stay here tonight. Sleep in Maggie's room and she'll share a bed with me."

"I couldn't intrude or anything." I said but hoped that she really would let me stay. Luke said how she always made a killer breakfast. "It wasn't a question dear." She gave me a smile that reminded me a lot of Carson before she walked off to fetch some blankets. I went to go help her when I noticed my foot was wrapped in bandages. I eyed it skeptically and looked up to see Carson watching me intently. "Uh, I need a drink." I blurted out and hid my face back in my hands. Smooth. I heard footsteps and opened my one eye seeing Carson was holding out a hand. I eyed him warily hoping he could support me. He rolled his eyes playfully. "Just trust me, willya? I'm not gonna let you fall." I gave him a slight smile. Carson won't let you get hurt.