We are one (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 39

"Ok, your good to go." The nurse says with a smile. Steadily, I get up from the hospital bed.
We came back in a few hours after I saw my dad. The reason we came back was when my dad trod on my toe. I felt it. Yep, I felt it. So they had to run some tests and check what was going on. We found out that I had in fact gained feeling. They wondered how though. So they kept asking me questions on whether I'd hit my back. Hard. On anything.
No, not apart from being slammed into a wall few times. But I couldn't say that so I lied. I just told them that i fell over a couple of times. I had to.
I told Natalie and Andrew that I was going back with my dad. They didn't take it very well... They didn't like it at all.
"How did your meeting with your dad go?" Andrew asked me over dinner. I played with peas and mash that lay on my plate. I didn't really feel like eating, especially after what happened with my dad. So I lie.
"Alright." I reply bluntly. Caleb shoots me a unsure look.
Natalie looks to Andrew and he nods at her.
"What did you decide to do." She asks shakily. I gulp. A vision of Andrew being beaten up on the way home from work runs through my mind.
I'm not going to let that happen.
"Um... I-I've decided to move back in with hi-him." I say and look down at the floor. I push away my plate still not making eye contact with anyone. Their stares burn into my skull.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Andrew asks, his voice is full of concern and a slight bit of... Anger? Is he angry with me?
"Yeah, Tris. This is true. I mean you've got a life here now. Us, your friends. Tobias." Natalie reminds me.
Yeah everyone he'd hurt if I said no.
Oh, why can't he just beat up Eric or Peter. Or both. Why!
"Don't let him force you into anything. Has he forced y-" Andrew asks before I cut in.
"No."
"Are you sure?" Caleb questions. I nod but he didn't seem convinced. None of them did.
"You don't have to- "
"Oh my god! I know I have a life here. I know that! But I also have a life back in Michigan. I life that I had before a came here!" I exclaim, taking them back a bit.

Yeah and what life was that exactly?
Being beaten up by your dad every night. For no other reason other then he wanted to?
Or wait no was it, being forced to go out and steal because your dad and his goons were too lazy to do that?
Wait. no. here's the real reason. You had a small group of "friends" that turned and ran the first chance they got? The only person who could've and might helped you was Cody. Oh yeah, he's dead. Yup and you killed him.
Then once you finally got out of the juvey they threw you right into foster care. With people like Bree, Matron and... Him.
You had no friends and you let them get the better of you.
Congrats. What a life you've had. Well done.

I really hate the voice in my head sometimes.  But it's true. All of it. The only reason I'm going back to that he'll hole is because I was threatened. I'm not risking their lives for mine. It's not worth it.

I would still have to walk with crutches for now. Just until I get me strength back in my leg. Then once I can walk again, like a normal person. I will never have to look back. I walk out of the hospital with Natalie. It's Tuesday and I saw my dad on Sunday. So I've been in there for a little while. The gang have been texting me. Asking where I was. I didn't answer.
They called.
I didn't answer.
I didn't even answer Tobias. I just needed space and time to think.
So we're heading back to school.
Sadly.
We sit there in silence. I look out the window in a small attempt to make it less awkward.
It didn't work.
"When's your dad picking you up?" She asked. I sighed.
"June 23rd" I say.
"That will be exciting, won't it?" Her voice dripped with fake sincerity. She didn't mean a word.
"That's your birthday, isn't it?" I nod.
"You'll get to go home. And you'll be seventeen!" Every word sounded forced. Finally we got into the school parking lot. I got out in an awkward silence. I was easier trying to get out without a brace.