Battle Scars

chapter 11 - he knows

I can't move. It's like I'm stuck to the sidewalk, and my eyes are suck on him. He gives me an evil wave and I can no longer breathe. I hear Brandon calling my name, asking if I'm ok but I can't answer. I try to talk or scream or even whisper but my throat is too dry and I can't get the words out. People push past me and a group of teens yell at me to move but I don't care. My worst nightmare came true. He found me. He found me....

I swear my heart stops when he starts walking towards me and Brandon. The sun shines down on his evil face and the whiteness of his plain tee shirt makes his skin look more tan than it really is. His blue eyes that I used to think were irresistible now make my stomach ache. The way he looks at me is terrifying - like he all he wants is for me to hurt.

When he gets to me, I panic more. Brandon strokes my hair and rubs my back trying to calm me down. Liam asks who he is and when Brandon replies by saying he's my boyfriend, Liam looks at me.

"I see you replaced me," Liam says. I don't even nod. I just stand there, out of breath.

"Replaced? Who are you?" Brandon asks, defensively.

He smiles, "Liam."

Brandon automatically stiffens. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. Though he doesn't say anything, it's obvious I told him about Liam.

"It's been a while," he says turning to me, "two years? Did you miss me?"

"Leave her alone! If I see you near her again I'll-"

"You'll do what?" Liam cuts him off. Brandon stands there glaring at him and Liam laughs. "Say hi to Jude for me."

I watch as he walks away and I can finally breathe again. Brandon hugs me as I sob into his chest. Seeing Liam is just too much for me right now.

***********************

That night, I lay in bed thinking about earlier. Mariana's asleep but I still lay awake, trying to forget about the few minutes with Liam. I reach for my bracelet and smile as I stare at the shining diamonds. I gently put it back and try to fall asleep. My phone goes off, telling me that I have an instagram notification and I decide not to ignore it.

A new comment from a user, @4underpar, was left on my picture of the tree in the yard. I tap on the notification and my heart stops when I read it:

      "Nice tree. That's the one outside your window right?"

I stop breathing as I scroll through the user's profile. I click on one of his pictures and see the same face I saw earlier today; the same face I never want to see again. Liam knows where I live. Liam knows which bedroom is mine. Liam probably knows that Brandon is my foster brother....