Shelter from the Storm

Chapter Twelve

Faith's POV

Kaden. Kaden. Kaden. That's all I can think about. Why haven't I told him before? I haven't told anyone what John has done to me. It was too humiliating. I always had to cover up the bruises and cry in secret places. I just don't know what he would think. I have been friends with him for so long it just seemed right to tell him now and not have it be a complete mystery. 

I memorized his number from so many years of friendship. I take my phone in my hand from my back pocket. I have to do this now. Now or never. I dial his number and I press call. I wait as it rings. I am surprised when it rings only twice.

"Hello?" says a familiar voice.

I sit there in silence from his voice coming through the other end. 

"Hello?" The voice says again.

"Kaden?" I ask unsure.

"Faith?" He asks.

Tears starts to stream down my face. And those awkward sobs start to come. 

"Oh, Faith, don't cry. Please." He tells me.

"It's just so good to hear your voice. I called to ask if you could meet somewhere. I need to tell you something."

"Of course," he says, "Where?"

"How about the park in, let's say, 15 minutes?" I say as the sobs are still audible.

"Sounds good. See you soon?"

"Yes. Absolutely." I reply. 

I hang up the phone and take a deep deep breath. Phew. That had been stressing me out. 

__________________________________

I make my way to the park and I sit on a bench. I wait for about 5 minutes when I see someone walking towards me from the other end of the park. It's Kaden. He waves. I get up off the bench and run towards him with tears running down my face. I outstretch my arms and give him the biggest hug on the planet.

"Kaden." I bury my head into his chest. He pulls me close and rubs my back soothingly. 

"Faith." 

"Kaden I need to tell you something. Something extremely important." I say with a little hesitation. 

"Let's go sit down." He puts an arm around my shoulder and we walk towards the bench that I was previously sitting at. 

I sit and take a deep breath and turn myself towards him.

"Obviously you realize that I haven't talked to you for a while and for that I sincerely apologize." I tell him. Oh goodness. More tears. 

"Don't cry. Please." He says as he wipes the tears away. 

Another deep breath. 

"Okay. There was a reason why I had you drop me off at that bus stop away from my house. My step father, he h-he would beat m-me everyday I w-would come home from s-school." Those awkward sobs come again.

"Oh Faith." He pulls me to his chest.

"I'm sorry I never t-told you. That was the main thing I was going to tell you, but there is something else..."

"Tell me."

"It got so bad that one day that you brought me home. I got beaten and then he t-took a knife and h-he..." I couldn't say anymore. I just couldn't. I didn't want that day to haunt me anymore. 

"Faith. You're safe now." 

After I caught my breath, I could finally explain the rest.

"That's also another thing I was going to tell you. I am now living with the Ryder's. You know that guy Max?"

"Yeah. I do."

"He was the one that saved me." 

"And I'm thankful he did."

"Me too."