Broken (Edited edition)

The Injuries

The next morning, I wheeze in agony and pain.  For a moment, I can feel the hands around my throat.  I can feel the punches hitting my chest and stomach.  Then the feeling subsides.  My throat is bruised, my ribs have been cracked, my hands have been injured, my body smashed to pieces.  I hurt all over, feeling every breath hit me like a truck.  More like a plane hitting me.  Yesterday, I was a hero.  Today, I'm a broken person.  I lay my head on the pillow, taking in deep breaths.  As I sit up, I clutch onto my rib cage sucking in a painful breath.  Holding tightly to stop them from moving.  I shake badly, feeling aches that stretch my abilities to the fullest.  Everything hurts, very painful.  I'm in Mark's room, he's sleeping on the other side of the bed.  He's on his back, his arm resting gently on his chest.  His chest slowly raising up and down as he sleeps.  I stand next to the bed, and look down at him.  His bruises are coming in, dark blacks and blues all over his face.  Under his eyes, all over his chest, his legs.  Like the starry sky.  His eyes are a bit swollen, his breathing is slow.

I walk out of the bedroom, taking slow easy steps to the bathroom.  When I shut the door, and look into the mirror, I see a different version of me.  One I wish would leave me alone.  My tortured self, my injured self.  My broken body, from when Todd was here.  That face with the tears rolling down my face, with the ache that won't stop.  The bruising covering most of my face, taking the beauty that once was there.  Replacing it with a deadly poisonous ugly that has become my friend."  You're an Ugly Creature, no one can possibly love you!"  I remember Todd telling me after my ninth birthday, when I asked him why we couldn't celebrate.  After that, I stopped enjoying the birthdays, and enjoyed living as much as I could.

In the mirror, black bruises run up and down my face.  The bandages around my arms are stained red with blood, and I start to cut them off.  As I pull off the bandages, I find that the stitches have held and they're starting to scab over.  My skin has started to bruise, but I know it's going to get worse due to it only to be the first day.  I get fresh bandages from the cupboard, and wrap my arms to keep the wounds clean.  I pull up my shirt, and see the bandages around my ribs.  I remember being told not to touch them at all.  I drop my shirt down again, and walk out of the bathroom.  I walk downstairs, and find everyone sleeping somewhere.  The Grumps, Bob, and Wade are sleeping all over the living room.  I go into the kitchen, I take the eggs and bacon out of the fridge, and I start to make breakfast.

I make scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast with jelly on it.  My arms ache, my back killing me, my legs almost collapsing underneath my weight as I stand.  I make eleven plates of breakfast, and set them on the counter for people to grab.  I make a steamy hot gallon of coffee in the coffeemaker.  I bring out the cups, and the creamer out onto the counter, then pull out forks and knives."  Guys...."  I groan out, holding on my ribs at the moment my voice escapes my throat.  It's painful to even speak.  So instead of doing that, I grab a pot and metal spoon.  I start to bang them together, and the group wakes up suddenly."  Lyca?  Sweetie, what are you doing up?  You're injured..."  Wade says, getting up.  He then notices the breakfast on the counter, and gives me a soft smile."  Even hurt, you do all the work."  He says, and rubs the edge of my chin."  Come on guys, eat some food.  Enjoy."  I groan out, rubbing my sore throat.  They all get up and grab some food, then take a seat in the living room.

Bob says he'll go get the other two, I sit down on the couch in between Arin and Danny."  You feeling okay Angel?"  Danny asks, and I rub my ribs."  As good as I can be."  I say.  He wraps his arm carefully and gently around me.  Jack and Mark walk down the stairs with the help of Bob, and they thank him once they hit the first floor.    When they see me, they look stunned to see me even up yet."  What are you doing up sweeite?"  Mark asks, and he stands over me.  I stand up, and almost collapse again when my knees give out.  He catches me with his good arm, and I lean into him."  You should be sleeping, you went Black yesterday."  He says, and I just hold onto him."  How long did I go Black for?"  I ask, and he shrugs."  Maybe close to three hours, maybe four."  He says, and I feel dizzy for a moment."  That's the longest one yet isn't it?"  Jack asks, and Mark nods."  So far, we don't know how much worse it's going to get.  Maybe we should go back to the hospital, make sure everything is alright."  He says, I shake my head.