Bruised But Not Broken

Chapter 5

It was now a lot later. I had been at her house for hours-from around 12:00- and it was now 7:30. We had not eaten anything since this morning, and to be honest, I was starving. We were sitting on the ground in the living room, playing video games on my cell phone.

I know she's abused but I haven't told her yet. I have been really on the edge the past half hour. Her dad had called to tell her that he wasn't coming home at all today. The reason was not mentioned and Windsor did not ask. She told me what he had said while standing. I immediately thought back to a murder I had seen on TV. The husband said he had to stay at work so the wife would let her guard down. Then, he came home and killed her.

She went to sit down on my right, where she had previously been. But my instinct won me over and I pulled her onto my left.

"Why can't I sit on your right?"

"Because then you would be closer to the door."

"Your being really protective."

"That's what good boyfriends are."

She smiled. "What if someone comes through that window?"

I laughed and started to tickle her sides. She giggled and I pulled her onto my lap.

"I love you, Windsor."

Her beautiful brown eyes looked into mine.

"I love you too, Pike."

Minutes later we both got up. We warmed up some chicken and made some chicken and vegetable tacos. She barely ate anything, and she ate really slowly.

That really worried me. Her dad may deprive her of food, but she's here with me, and she still didn't eat. What if she was anorexic?

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I could tell Pike was worried that I did not eat anything. His blue eyes had a mixture of disappointment and worry, but I could not bring myself to eat. It's all a psychological thing. And my dad is the one who made me like I am today-untrusting and stressed, self-conscious and insecure. It was the exact opposite with Pike though. I was calm, confident and safe. Plus, I trusted him.

We sat down on the couch. Pike turned on the TV. The channel that was on was playing a police show. It was about and abused 15 year old girl. Pike went to change the channel, but I stopped him. I wanted to see this. I needed to see this.

Why? Because the women that was just speaking, was my mother.

"Where and when does this take place?"

Pike clicked the "info" button.

San Francisco Abuse Victims
Featuring Audrey Adams
Original Air Date: September 14th, 2013

My mother. She is alive. And she left me with my father. She left me to be hurt again and again. She hasn't done anything for me.

Then I realized something. The abuse started after she died-well actually, left.

We continued to watch the show. I ended up laying down, with my head in Pike's lap. He held my hand and stroked my hair.

Eventually my eyes closed, and the world around me turned to blackness.

xxxx

I woke up in my bed, alone. Pike must have carried me upstairs during the night. Next to me, my clock tells me it's 11:00. There's no school today, it's a holiday although I don't know what it is. I walked downstairs to my dad sitting by the window, reading the paper.

"Hello, Windsor. What should we do today?"

"Whatever you want."

"Let's try something we've never done before."

Next thing I know, I am knocked out.

When I wake up later, I am sore and weak. It is dark out and my dad stands over me, watching his friends abuse me.

Later they pay my dad, and he pockets the cash. I am left on my bed, violated and crying.

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My brother slapped me hard across the face. My cheek stung.

"I'm leaving and your staying here."

With that, my brother left.

So I sat on my bed, bleeding and upset.