Silent Night

Chapter 7

Taylor

I don't know how long he beat me and I don't remember much of it besides absolute pain. Finding a happy place is an abuses' salvation except I don't remember when I blacked out and I also don't remember exactly how bad the beating was. Therefore I have no idea if I was going to wake up. I suppose I should thank god that I was slipping in and out of consciousness because my brief unconsciousness ended quickly. My dad was standing above me just watching me, I only opened my eyes a crack so he wouldn't keep going. After about 3 minutes he walked out of the house slamming the door behind him. I could see my blood on the floor and I felt every injury he had inflicted except after a while the separate pain moulded into one. Tears sprung forth as I was lying there I just sobbed but as my shoulders shook with the effort I realized how much pain it caused me and stopped to cry silently and motionlessly. My head spun with weakness but I tried to stay awake afraid if I closed my eyes they would never open again. I tried moving but it provoked a thousand daggers stabbing into every part of my body. So I just lay there staring at the ceiling and the light mounted on it. Soon the light overtook my vision and I couldn't see anything in the house besides the blinding globe. I was fighting an inevitable battle that I would loose and I knew it. Before long I couldn't keep my eyes open and they drooped with the effort until I gave in.

I awoke in my bed with my mum sitting on the end of it. There were homemade stitches in my eyebrow and I felt a bandage binding my ribs. I also felt a little strip across my nose probably holding it in place. My mum must have patched me up, she always patched me up after really bad beatings and I couldn't do it myself. It is about the only thing she does do for me involving my father. When she sees my eyes open she puts a finger to her lips and I assume my father is back home and asleep. Waking him would be a bad idea so I heed her warning and close my eyes again waiting for morning.

When morning does come I feel worse than the night before if it is possible. Everything aches and I moan just trying to stand. I have literally no idea how I am going to get to school and survive the whole day like this but then again I have done it before. Slowly and painfully I slip on my uniform and over it I put on Ruby's jumper which is nice, warm and oddly comforting. Quietly I go downstairs and skip breakfast to head straight to school. When I reach the bus stop Ruby is not there thank god so I can get on the bus without any questions. Seeing Ruby is what I am dreading because I don't know how I am going to lie to her. She won't believe that I tripped and fell. She ain't as stupid as Trish. I start to contemplate my options but arrive far too quickly to come up with a solution. The walk to class is extremely painful and I barely make it the full way and decide to stop in the bathrooms to check my wounds. In the mirror I looked like a mess, like I had been run over by a truck and I knew that this time it would be different. I wouldn't get away without anyone noticing, chances are Ruby would be the first one to notice. Knowing that someone finding out would be inevitable I still decided to hide it as best I could by pulling the hood up over my head and pulling the sleeves down over my bruised hands. I was late to class and therefore made a bit of an entrance in a black hoodie and dark feeling about me. Ruby watched me enter class with a frown on her face and expected me to sit beside her. Instead I took the seat at the far back left corner alone. The whole class I never raised my hand and tried to not draw any attention to myself which would have worked out perfectly except the stupid teacher had to interfere.

"Miss Reece could you please remove your hood it is rude"

I stayed still and pretended to not to hear him until he repeated it.

"Taylor Reece take your hood off before I send you to the principle and he can figure out what's wrong with you"

I looked up slightly and glared daggers at him, why couldn't he just leave me alone. I sighed and pulled down the hood, upon seeing me the teacher gasped and was then speechless. A few other kids whispered and pointed but I didn't care. My gaze was on Ruby from the corner of my eye, she looked horrified at first and then angry. I just shrugged and then looked at the teacher

"Happy now sir"

He nodded with sympathy I think guessing what has happened. He probably thinks abusive boyfriend or abusive parent. Those are always the first two options. I went through the rest of the class avoiding awkward glances from the other students and even the teacher. But I didn't care, why? Because fuck them. Fuck everyone! I am so done with hiding and I am so done with pretending to be a normal person with no problems. Because I do have problems.

When the bell went I stood immediately trying to get out before Ruby and hide in the tool shed away from prying eyes and away from questions. I succeeded in getting out first but not in out running Ruby considering my physical state. She caught me quickly grabbing hold of my arm and spinning me to face her. I let out a groan of pain and snatched my arm back. Ruby's face went from curiosity to concern seeing my discomfort. She holds my gaze and then sighs with sympathy

"What Happened?"

I couldn't hold in my tears anymore, Ruby has that effect on me that when I am around her I don't feel the need to hide my emotions. She draws them out into the open. My legs buckle and I collapse into a heap. Ruby catch's me before I hit the ground and holds me around the shoulders letting me cry into her shoulder. She pulls back and looks into my watery eyes.

"I think it's time you tell me what's going on"

I nod and sniff back the tears so I can speak.

"My father's name is Jason Reece and he isn't exactly the model father"

I stop and she rubs my back urging me to go on

"Ever since I can remember he has been beating me and my mum, I don't know why but he does, it gets worse every time"

Anger and sadness spreads across Ruby's face giving her a very dark and intimidating look. She raises her eyes and speaks

"Why haven't you told the police?"

I shake my head

"My mum has begged me not to, without him we wouldn't have anything, no home and no way to pay for food. Plus she always claims that inside he is a good man but he is going through a tough time"

Ruby sighs and then tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. She studies each and every mark on my face and grimaces.

"What are you going to do when school is over and you have to go back home??"

"I don't know, I will just have to deal with it"

Ruby shakes her head

"You need a night away from him and away from danger, I know we haven't known each other long but I am not going to let him hurt you tonight at least. Sleep over at my place; we can have a movie marathon, popcorn and hot chocolate."

Damn it she found my weakness, chocolate. I smirk and then nod.

"Ok"

The rest of the school day is a blur; Ruby sat beside me in every class and did not let anyone near me to ask questions. It was kinda cute how protective she was and even Trish kept her distance today. The teachers didn't call upon me or give me a hard time either, I guess they noticed that if the fucked with me today Ruby might break a bone or two of theirs. Finally the bell went and we all filed out of class and to our lockers, I grabbed my bag and waited for Ruby to grab hers before we walked to the bus stop. Half way through the walk I caught Ruby checking me out with a small smirk and raised eyebrow. I do a little twirl swallowing the pain and giggle.

"Seen enough Rose??"

She chuckles and then grins

"My jumper suits you"

I blush a few shades of red before smiling slightly, I had totally forgot I was still wearing her jumper. Ruby jokingly flips the hood up over my head and smiles

"Why don't you keep it, it looks better on you then me"

I didn't agree with that but I nod gratefully at her gift. We get on the bus and sit through the 10 minute drive to her house, a little ways through it she puts her arm around my shoulders and I shift closer to her closing my eyes. Listening to the sound of her heartbeat I fall into a light and peaceful sleep.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT WHAT I COULD IMPROVE AND I WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THIS BOOK. HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER UP SOON HOPEFULLY.