Battlefield of Changes

My Uncle

"What are you getting for Harry?" I asked Ryan as we sat hand in hand at the bus stop.

"A new skate helmet and a night light. You?"

"I haven't a clue. What do you think he would like?"

"He's into skating and giraffes. I'm sure you'll find something."

"I hope so. He deserves a great birthday."

"Everyone does."

"What's everyone else doing today?"

"The others are organising the party whilst Mike takes Harry out for the day."

"Party?"

"Yeah, everybody has a party at the house on their birthday. It's meant to be a surprise but everybody kind of expects it anyway."

"Cool." I said as the bus pulled up. We bought our tickets and took our seats towards the back of the bus.

I rested my head on Ryan's shoulder and he held my hand. Throughout the journey we received lots of glares from old people. But we didn't care. It felt amazing and that's all that mattered.

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"What do you want?" Ryan asked as we sat down in an adorable little cafe.

"I dunno just whatever your having" I said fed up. Ryan had bought Harry his presents but I couldn't find anything!

We have to be back in just over an hour so we were just having lunch.

I watched as Ryan ordered our food. I've got no clue what he was getting but by this point I didn't really care.

"Marie?" Said a voice from behind Mel. I turned round to see someone I thought I would never have to see again. My uncle.

I just sat there dumbfounded. "Marie.." He said approaching me. I quickly stood up and began planning my escape.

"Marie I can't believe it's you!" He said coming right up to me and trying to hug me.

"No!" I screeched trying my best to push him off but he wouldn't budge!

I heard the clatter of plates from behind me and Ryan was rushing towards me having just dropped the tray of food.

"Marie I can't believe I found you again. I love you and I want you to live with me..."

My uncle stated.

"Get off me...leave me alone!" I said in tears, trying to get my wrists out of his harsh grip.

"Get off her!" Ryan exclaimed before attempting to push him away from me. Unfortunately he failed and received a punch in the face which sent him to the floor.

"Ryan!" I screeched still struggling. Ryan began to get up but as he did my uncle threw me over his shoulder and started to walk off!

"Let go! Help! HELP ME!" I shouted, kicking and screaming with tears falling at an alarming rate. I felt scared. I haven't felt scared in a long time.

I saw Ryan and another women who I'm guessing worked at the cafe run out after me and my uncle. Ryan had blood on his face from the punch and looked like he too was on the verge of tears!

"HELP ME!" I screamed.

They were quite far behind and I could tell they wouldn't be able to keep up.

"Ryan!"

"Don't worry I'm coming!"

"Please somebody help me!"

"Shut up!" My uncle spat, throwing me down on the pavement in front of him.

My back slammed against the damp concrete and my uncle stood above me.

I looked up at him. He was towering over me with a clenched fist which soon came into violent contact with my face.

He punched my cheeks and scratched my with his fingernails before punching my stomach and my chest!

I just lay there crying as he ran away! I was in too much pain to move. There was blood on my face and it suddenly felt hard to breath.

A small crowd of people for,ed whilst the lady from the cafe called Mike and Ryan knelt down beside me trying to bring me out of my panic state. He was holding onto my hand and telling me it was going to be ok.

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I eventually got my breathing back to normal but I couldn't stop crying. The pain hurt so much.

Mike showed up and took me back to Ashdene ridge after we went to the hospital to have me checked.

The doctors were extremely concerned about the pain in my lower abdomen but gave me some tablets to take daily and told me I could go home.

I was over the moon when I found out it wasn't serious. Ryan told Mike about my uncle randomly showing up and trying to take me away.

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I looked at my body in the mirror. I had bruises all over, a black eye, a scar on my left cheek, the scars on my wrists, and the burn on my neck.

I had on a t shirt and some shorts. I don't usually wear shorts unless it's to bed, but everything else gripped my waist too tightly and caused more pain.

I was going to put some leg warmers on my arms, to hide the scars of my past. I dont want people knowing. Not anybody.

But of course, that was never going to happen in this place. Ryan strolled in with a smile on his face, but he looked over at me and it quickly disappeared.

"Marie, Mike needs to talk to you about what happened earlier."

"I thought he would." I said approaching the door. Before I had fully left Ryan quickly grabbed my wrist, obviously noticing the scars.

A worried expression formed on his face and he asked...

"Marie, I had no idea I'm..."

"Don't say sorry. It's not your fault."

"Did you start when you went into care?"

"I started after my parents died."

"But you don't..."

"No I've stopped. Now let me go and see Mike" I said, throwing a hoodie on.

"Meet me in the lounge after. Every bodies going to watch the new Disney film."

"Ok then Hun"

He chuckled. "What?!" I asked.

"It's usually me using the silly nicknames"

I scoffed before heading downstairs.

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"You wanted to see me?" I asked, poking my head through the door.

"Yes take a seat" Mike said gesturing towards the chair in front of him.

"Now you may not like this but I don't want you leaving the house for a while. The police need some time to investigate and find your uncle and I don't want to risk you getting hurt again."

"I understand" I say, looking down onto my lap.

"But don't worry, Mai Lee and I are going to plan some indoor activities for everyone to do before you go back to school."

"Ok then. Bye Mike" I said bluntly as I left the office, heading in the direction of the living room.

Ryan was on the sofa and patted the empty space next to him. I sat down and cuddles into his chest. This is what I need right now, some downtime.