Beautiful Nightmare (18+)

2. Golden Opportunity

WHEN THE TORTURE finally ended, my uncle carelessly tossed me to one side and pulled his underwear on before going to sleep in his room, leaving me naked and ashamed on the cold living room floor. Alone. He was rougher than usual this time, and I blamed it on the pent up anger that he had been saving for the past few days.

I wiped the tears off my face and slowly got up, limping into my small room and into the shower, where I scrubbed my skin raw. I was no stranger to Jacob's sexual advances, but that doesn't mean that it didn't make me feel like filth every time.

I think I stayed in the shower for over an hour before I finally dragged myself out and shrugged on a loose black sweater and jeans. Despite the fact that Jacob hated when I left at night, every part of me screamed to get out of the house. Tonight, I was going to find solace outside Everest's house.

Even though I've never actually been in his house, I always dreamed of the day he would invite me inside. He lived alone in a small two-storey house just outside the city, far away from the hustle and bustle. Being in the peaceful suburbs always brought me a sense of comfort.

I made sure to make as little noise as possible in order to not wake Jacob up, and slid out of the door and into the dark night. It was going to be a long walk to Everest's house, but it was worth it. I had a lot on my mind that a walk could help clear too, anyway.

A part of me felt ashamed to even show up at Everest's place after what had happened. No matter how hard I tried to scrub the sin off my skin, it still stuck to me like latex. I swallowed, feeling even more miserable knowing that I was a stain while Everest was pure, white, innocent.

He might not be the light the world needed, but he was what I needed. I had to see him tonight, see his angelic smile and messy black hair and dark eyes. It was the only way I knew how to feel alive.

I picked at the hem of my sweater, where a few loose strings already hung. It was a habit that I developed, something that I did unconsciously whenever I was anxious or scared.

Although this wasn't the first time I camped outside Everest's house, I always felt a little nervous. I knew better than to feel scared of getting caught, since the neighbourhood he stayed in wasn't overly-populated, and the majority of the residents were the elderly.

When I rounded the bend and saw the familiar quaint brown brick house come into view, my lips unconsciously lifted into a small smile. My hands that trembled the entire journey here suddenly calmed down, and I was able to flex my fingers and curl them and uncurl them without trying too hard.

My tense shoulders relaxed and I no longer felt the need to constantly look behind my back to make sure my uncle was following me, bottle in hand, face red with anger and eyes dark with lust.

I crossed the road, standing opposite of his house. Hiding behind a large, thick tree trunk, I had the perfect view of his house. The lights were off, indicating that he still hadn't returned from the bar. Checking my phone for the time, I realised that he wouldn't be coming back for another hour and a half.

I inhaled the night air deeply, feeling a sudden sense of calm wash over me. If I had the money, I would want to move into this neighbourhood. Not only because Everest lived here, but because this place was just so...still. Peaceful. Like nothing bad or sinister would ever happen here.

But I knew that wouldn't happen until a very long time, since my monthly salary was blown away from buying cigarettes and alcohol for my uncle, and to pay rent for the shabby apartment we stayed in. I was still knee-deep in student debt from college, since my uncle refused to pay a single cent for my education.

Looking up and down the street, I realised that no one was around. It made sense, after all, since it was one in the morning. The neighbourhood was dead silent, save for the crickets that sang their song in unison.