Your Crying Shoulder

Burned

Flashback

I sat on the edge of my chair swinging my legs back and forth while starring at the ground. I didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. Especially with someone like daddy. I had no idea where the officers took him and if any of these other people were like him, I didn't want to be seen by em. I pushed my hair infront of my face, hoping to disappear as I held tightly onto my doll I was given by the nice officer that brought me here. Officer grimes I think his name was? I quickly thought about the excuse for the new bruises I was here for. Daddy always told me if I said anything to anyone, he'd kill me or worse mommy. I was happy she traveled with her job, she was safe. But I'm only 10 and I needed her more than ever. I was extremely scared to be here. I then saw a shadow bend down to me and say,

"sweetheart?"

I looked up for the first time to see officer grimes giving me his best sympathetic smile.

"Will you come with me? I want to talk to you." He smiled sweetly as he stood up and extended his hand to me.

I flinched as I just looked at it and then back up to him who was still smiling down at me. I hesitantly took his hand in mine and he led me to a room with a few chairs and a table. He led me to two chairs as I sat in one and he pulled one up so he was sitting infront of me. I started looking back down at the floor. I was always told by daddy to not look someone in the eye, I didn't deserve attention from anyone.

"I'm Rick" he smiled sweetly.

I just nodded and then he asked,"is it alright if I ask you some questions?"

I hesitantly nodded and smiled,

"alright honey can you tell me how you got those marks on your arms?"

I looked down to the hand print bruises on my arms, quickly thinking of an excuse.

"I fell" I whispered.

I heard him sigh,"sweet heart those ones on your arms are in the shape of hand prints"

I started to shake. I thought hard to think of an excuse.

"well when I fell daddy caught me" I whispered.

Officer Grimes sighed again and placed an arm on my shoulder. I flinched and he noticed.

"He's not going to hurt you anymore. He will be locked up for a very long time and you may never see him again. He can't hurt you anymore." He whispered.

I wanted so badly to believe him.

"Promise?" I whispered.

"I promise" he said. "Now did your dad do that to you?"

I remained still, but finally nodded.

I heard Rick sigh,"did he ever say why?"

"I was a twin, but when we were born my brother died in mommys tummy. Dad always wanted a boy. He thinks it was my fault my brother died, but it wasn't I promise!" I said.

"I know it wasn't sweetheart. Now did daddy do anything else to you? Hurt you anymore?" He asked.

"I have scars." I whispered.

"May I see?" He asked.

I nodded and stood up, turned around and lifted the shirt above my back. I heard him gasp as he touched one.

"What's this from?" He asked.

"Bike chain" I whispered.

He touched another one," and this one?"

"burned" I sighed.

He turned me to face him, there were more burn scars on my stomach, "he burned you?"

I felt tears threaten to spill as I nodded and lowered my shirt over my body. Rick pulled me in for a hug as I started sobbing.

"It's ok. It's over now" he whispered.

"Please don't tell him I told you, he said he'd kill me and mommy" I cried.

He pulled out of the hug, "does mommy know about this?"

I shook my head no and he sighed,"where is she?"

"she travel for business" I said wiping a tear.

He nodded and then the door opened as someone walked in. I immediately hid behind Rick, holding onto his waist. He gently took me out from behind him so I saw another officer.

"Mae this is my partner Shane. He's going to stay with you so I can call your family" Rick smiled.

Shane smiled at me, but I was too afraid to be with anyone besides Rick.

"can I come with you?" I asked Rick.

Rick thought for a second, but Shane said,

"I can make the calls Rick. Stay with her"

"thank you" Rick said as Shane left.