Stranger, Help Me

THEN

"How'd it go, Evangeline?"

"It was scary."

"Are you hurt?"

"No... Almost. I'm fine. I am."

"That's good to hear. Tell me everything that happened?"

"Alright. Well, it was around 10pm, when generally everyone was asleep. I could tell because of my f-... Anyway, I picked the lock and found Cooper's room. He was awake and when he saw me, almost screamed. Luckily I grabbed him and quietened him down before anyone woke. I apologised to him and gave him a hug. He said he was sorry too, that he thought his mother would be fine with it. Cooper was so innocent and when I told him I'm going away soon, he cried. I'm... I'm going to miss him."

"We can always visit."

"We?"

"Yeah, so you don't feel alone."

"T...thank you. Next, after I lulled Cooper to sleep, I went to my sister's room. I woke her up and she saw me and thought I was a ghost. She thought I was killed by the step-mother, which didn't make me comfortable. I told her everything that happened, held her close as she tried not to cry. I said I was going to leave and she didn't show any emotion, but her body was shaking and I was scared she was going to cry. She cries loud. She didn't say anything to me, just stared when I left. She was the only thing I was trying to protect, I told her, that I refused to die until she was safe. You're safe now, I told her, so I can go. I closed the door with her staring. I'm..."

"... Take your time."

"I meant every word. I didn't care how many bruises I got, how many times I got things thrown at me, how many scars he dug into me as long as she didn't get hurt. I wasn't looking for a thank you from her, I was looking for love. I don't know... I'm sorry, but I'm glad my father is in jail."

"That's nothing to be sorry for. He hurt you and it was against the law."

"He may have a-a-abused me... But he was my father."

"Evangeline, no father does that to their child."

"Stop. Stop. He..."

"I'm sorry. Go on..."

"I wrote down a five page note to the father. My hand still hurts. I had to find a way to put it somewhere where only he can find it. I remember he had a briefcase so I snuck into their room. It was so scary. As soon as I crawled in, the step-mother woke. I quickly went to the father's side and she closed the door and went back to sleep. I found his briefcase and quickly slipped in. I was making a move to go when he woke. He stared at me, as if seeing me for the first time. He glanced back at his wife, then got off the bed and wrapped his arms around me. He told me he was sorry. I was so scared. I thought he would hurt me. I told him I put in his briefcase the truth. That only he can read it. Then I asked him if it was okay to leave. He said I was too young and who I was staying with. I said you and mentioned your mother and he was fine with it. He said he'd talk to my step-mother. Isn't that... A relief?"

"That's awesome! Good job, Evangeline. What else is on your list?"

"Telling my step-mother what happened after she left. I'm speaking with her when she comes into my room later today. Wish me luck."

"Good luck!"

Beep, beep...