Still Here

Chapter 5

The first thing I do when I uncover the fact that the house is mine is go into my bedroom, faceplant onto my mattress, and scream into my pillow.

And I just screamed. About everything happening, and everything that was going to happen. I didn't stop until my throat felt raw and my voice was hoarse.

Next, I went into the kitchen and did my homework. Geometry.. ugh. Effortlessly, I push it away.

It's a nice day outside, not too cold. Maybe I could walk up to the corner store and buy a snack. But I just can't seem to find the motivation to get up and move. Everyone knows this feeling, I hope. Maybe I'm not the only one.

After some contemplation, I decide to go. I should get some fresh air, anyway.

I grab a handful of cash from my pocket and stuff it into my sweater. "This should be enough" I mumble.

Setting out, I pull my sweater close as the cold air bites into my skin. I didn't expect it to be this cold, but we still haven't gotten past the bitter season that is winter. The walk to the store isn't that long, so I won't have to be out here for very long.

At least that's what I thought.

About halfway to the store, I notice a sound coming from behind me.

Crunch....Crunch....CrunchCrunch

Footsteps? A person?

Casually, I sneak a glance over my shoulder and notice a man who looks to be in his late 30s. He's got grey hair and is going bald, and is wearing a black jacket. He's smoking a cigarette. What's more interesting is that he's making eye contact with me..in a funny way.

It's almost menacing the way he looks at me. The look in his eyes is aggressive, but he seems to be calm in his walk. Wierd. I'll just mind my own business now.

So that's what I do. I just keep going on my way, soon to arrive at the corner store. Everything will be okay, I'm just getting paranoid about nothing. Relax. I'll be fine.

Now I'm about 2/3 of the way to the corner store. The man is still behind me. It's gotten worse. This time, when I glanced back at him, I caught him staring at my ass.

That was when I decided to start running. I was too freaked out to just walk any further. I wanted to get out of there. There was no one on the street with me, and that made it even worse. No one to scream for help to if things got bad.

I glance back over my shoulder, and, too my horror, he is running after me.

I want to scream. I want to call out for help. Instead, I just run into an alley and hope that he won't see where I went.

I was wrong.

He found me hiding behind the dumpsters and, with a disgusting smile, he walked over to me.

"Well, well, well. Aren't you a pretty one? I like the pretty ones..." He says and continues to come closer to me.

"W-What are you doing? I need to go." I reply with a shaking voice.

"Isn't it obvious?" He smirked and grabbed my hips. "Let's have some fun."

I can't move. I'm so terrorized that my body has become rigid and limp, and I can't seem to find the strength to run, hit, punch, or defend myself in any way. I just stand there.

He shoved me down onto the floor and slid his hands underneath my sweater. He got under my shirt, too. He put his hands up my bra and started fondling with me up there.

He made his way to my jeans, and just when he was about to get inside my underwear, I hear a shout.

"What the hell? Get out of here!"

The man ran as fast as he could away from us. I never saw him again.

In that moment, all I could do was lay there and take it all in. This actually just happened. Why did this happen to me? I wasn't wearing anything that showed too much skin. I was minding my own business.

As I lay there on the cold and hard concrete, I could not find the strength to stand. I just wanted to die.

It wasn't until the people started showing up that I found myself to be conscious again.

"Miss, are you alright?"
"What did he do to you?"
"Did you see where he ran?"
"Where do you live?"
"Are your parents here?"
"Should I call 911?"
"Can you hear me?"

I sat upright and put a hand to my head. There were at least a dozen people gathered around me. I saw a lot of people who looked like parents. They just seemed like someone I knew as a parent.

I got up, with wobbly knees, and just walked away, ignoring all the questions. I was going home.

I felt dizzy walking. It felt like 1,000 miles on the way back to the house. I was weak, tired, and barely conscious. And I was confused. Would I tell mom? Does she need the extra stress? Should I keep this a secret?

I arrive at home, and my mom still is not home. Instead of screaming into a pillow when I get home now, I cry into one. I try to be quiet, hoping that no one will notice.

I lay there, sobbing like a maniac into my pillow, until it's completely tear soaked. My eyes are red and puffy, and my hair's a mess. At this point, I could care less what I look like. I just need to sleep.

And so I did. In an attempt to wash out everything that just happened.

At least for now.