The yelling was low at first but in a matter of seconds I was able to hear every single word. My father's slurred words were a little difficult to understand but I knew well enough he was talking about me; I knew I shouldn't have skipped class but I was pressured into it, I even told the teacher I was but he didn't care. My mom tried her best to stay calm but I could hear the fear in her voice and I knew my father could to. I heard a loud smack and then a thump, my heart leaped and I tried to yank the door open but it wouldn't budge. I screamed for my mom as I heard the loud hitting continue and my mom's whimpers. After several more tries with the door I sunk to the ground helplessly. It was all my fault, she's getting beat to death because of me. It seemed like it would never end until I heard footsteps pass my door and down the hall to their room, I assumed he took her to lie down. I put my ear against the door and listened closely, the footsteps came out of the room and stopped in front of my door. I scurried backward as he unlocked my door and let it slowly open. 'It was my turn,' I thought as he grinned down at me, his blood shot eyes piercing into mine like an endless pit. He wet his lips with his tongue and said something in a slurred voice that I couldn't understand but I was pretty sure he was cursing at me. I backed up against the wall as he slowly strode forward. I had never been so afraid in my life. I looked down and saw that he was loosening his belt buckle and then unbuttoning his pants, it took me a moment to realize what he was doing and then a wave of nausea washed over me. I have been beaten at times to the point where I couldn't walk, but nothing like this. My stomach turned and twisted in various directions as he unzipped his zipper. The next thing I knew was that I was being pinned against the wall, it all happened so fast, my own flesh and blood trying to ruin me completely, the only dignity that I had left in me. He unbuttoned my pants and tore my shirt open, exposing my bra, I couldn't explain how disgusted and dirty I felt. I tried to wrestle him off with as much force I could, I couldn't let him take away the only thing that's keeping me together, but he was much more stronger than I was. He shoved me across the room and I felt my head slam the edge of my dresser, it was as if I was welcomed by the darkness.
Visions played like a black and white movie throughout my mind. I saw my mothers sweet smile, the warmth in her hazel eyes. Her brown hair was pinned up into a messy bun and the light touch of make-up made her features stand out even more. I saw my father come up behind her, she seemed so small compared to him. Her smile faded and she mouthed my name,"Riley!" as he swung at her over and over. I screamed and cried for him to stop but no sound came out, I tried to move, to pull him off but it was like a glass wall between us and I just had to stand there an watch my mother get beat half to death. Anger and pure hatred boiled up inside of me and ran through my veins, I wanted him dead, wanted to kill him with my bare hands and make him suffer the way he made us suffer all our lives. The scene seemed to be getting darker and darker until, once again, it was complete darkness.
I felt a deep pain in the back of my head and then the urge to throw up as I slowly gained consciousness. I opened my eyes slowly, waiting until my vision came back into focus. All I saw was the ceiling and then the earlier events rushed back into my head and I shot up, regretting it the moment I did. My head pounded and my vision blurred again, I waited once more for my eyes to adjust. I looked about the room and my stomach did a flip at the sight and my blood ran cold, my room was almost covered in blood, my father lay a few feet away, barely recognizable as if something had clawed him to death. I felt something wet and sticky on my hands, I slowly looked down and saw blood, his blood. My heart raced and I turned toward my door but caught my reflection before my eyes could reach it, not only my hands were covered in blood but my mouth as well. I couldn't take it anymore, I turned my head and vomited all that I had left inside of my stomach. 'What have I done?!?!'
***
I pulled myself up with shaky legs, thankful for the support of the dresser. I closed my eyes to let the nausea pass. When it finally did I opened my eyes and tiptoed out of the room cautiously, not to step over my fathers remains. When I reach the door, I have the urge to collapse but I force myself towards my mothers room, which was deathly quielt. My hands braced the wall, guiding me to my mother's room. The only light that filled the small part of the room was the bedside table. She lied there motionless, looking as small as ever; I rushed to her side and shook her gently. "Mom," my voice was hoarse and tears creeped in the corners of my eyes. Nothing. I wiped my eyes to see her more clearly, her face looked almost broken, she had a busted lip and two black eyes that were beginning to swell. Her arms were covered in bruises, fresh and old ones. She looked so broken and helpless, I could hardly look at her. I checked for a pulse, and to my surpise, felt a faint beat of her heart. "Mom, please wake up," I whimpered. Her eyes fluttered open and I let out a sigh of relief, she was going to be okay.
