Help Me, It Hurts

Exposed

Chapter 9

Exposed

I woke up to my body throbbing from head to toe. I tried to open my eyes, but succeeded in only being able to open one. I pushed myself up into a seating position, only to whimper as a result of the pain in my side. I gently reached up to touch my face and examine the rest of my body. I was still in my work uniform, but it was completely ruined. There was blood all over it and tears throughout the fabric. I could only imagine what my body looked like...I glanced down at my watch. There was a huge crack in the screen and it seems that it stopped working.

I started coughing into my elbow. Looking down, I realized I was coughing up blood. Oh God. I suddenly remembered my bag. Where is it? I quickly turned around, ignoring the stabbing pains erupting from my torso, only to find that it was missing. No no no! Everything I had was in that bag...what am I suppose to do? This can't be happening. I pushed myself up to my feet, swaying slightly as I felt dizzy. I reached up again to touch my head and saw that there was blood on my hands. What do I do? What do I do? I had no one to go to...except for two people...Mo and Chelsea. But they will both be working by now right? Maybe I can catch one of them on their lunch break. I wasn't sure what I planned on doing exactly but I didn't have anywhere else to go...no else to go to...

I took a deep breath before making my way towards the cafe. Luckily, it didn't seem to be busy out so I didn't attract attention. I'm not sure how long it took me, but I know it took me longer than usual to get to the cafe due to my injuries. After not being beaten in so long, it seems to have taken a greater toll on me than it would have before when I was getting beat on a daily basis.

When I finally made it to the cafe, I had plans on staying hidden while I waited for Chelsea or Mo to come out but that plan fell a part quickly. Meghan was outside of the front doors, almost like she was waiting for someone....She couldn't possibly be waiting for me right? I tried to hide in a nearby alley before she saw me, but it was too late.

"Oh my goodness, Ally! What happened to you?!" She exclaimed loudly attracting the attention of the few townsfolk that were out and about. She ran over to me, gripping my arm tightly while she practically dragged me into the cafe. I had to take a deep breath to stop myself from having a panic attack when she touched me.

"Meghan, no stop! I'm fine really! Just get Mo-"

"Non-sense! Everyone has been so worried about you Ally-dear, let us help you!" I suddenly remembered what Chelsea was telling me about Meghan and what Meghan did to her. She couldn't have possibly have gone as far as to set this up could she? Over a guy nonetheless?

"Oh my...Ally! What happened? Who did this to you?" Chelsea's voice rung out towards me. The once noisy cafe, became dead silent as everyone turned to look at me. My heart started pumping and my breathing sped up slightly.

"I...I-I" I tried to utter out some excuse but I couldn't think of anything.

"I found her outside like this. What happened Ally? Please tell us." Meghan asked as she turned towards me. I could see the glint in her eyes that wasn't there before. I took several steps away from her. I was speechless as things started to click into place. If Chelsea was right then-

"Pumpkin?" It was Andrew. My gaze turned to slowly meet his, along the way meeting Chelsea's and Mo's. Andrew took a step towards me, making me take a couple back away from him, only for me to stumble over my feet as my dizziness got worse. I saw him coming towards me, the action causing me to further panic as I attempted to crawl away from him.

"Man." It sounded like Walter's voice. I saw him shake his head to Andrew out the corner of my eye.

"Suga' it's okay. You're safe here; you're safe with me. I won't hurt you...we won't hurt you" Chelsea said as she took slow steps towards me. I knew I could trust Chelsea, that she hasn't done anything to hurt me. But I couldn't control my breathing and how to continued to speed up as I begun to hyperventilate. I felt her familiar touch on my arm that caused me to tense up, but she stayed put as she continued to talk to me; instructing me to take deep breaths and that I was safe here. Once my breathing became regulated, my vision came back into focus- as much as it could in this state-, and I was able to return to this seemingly nightmare of mine, I noticed that Meghan had stepped out.