Dangerous

Caught

2 months later

I snuck quietly inside the apartment, trying not to make a sound. I had taken Lindsey out to see a small show downtown. I thought she'd like it since she's into music. Apparently she actually got into the honors all-state orchestra with her violin. I'll have to hear her play sometime.
We've been hanging out a lot recently. Something about her just drew me in, I guess. Plus she promised to keep talk of my family on the low and has kept that promise. Anyone else would've instantly told everybody even that little sliver of information, or turned me in to the police after coming to my deal with me.
It seems like everybody hates me...
But she doesn't.
I finally have...someone.
She's made me realize how much I miss being around good people. Ever since my dad...

Just then, I stepped on a loose floorboard and heard a loud creak. Shit! I already took off my shoes and grey hoodie, so maybe if I made it into bed fast enough, he wouldn't catch me. I saw him stir a little in his bed and out of panic, I ran for it. I wasn't exactly quiet, but I made it. I quickly pulled my blanket around me and closed my eyes. About a minute later, I heard footsteps approach me and the curtain being pulled back. My body tensed up as my nerves rose. I felt a foot touch my back a couple times before receding. I let out a small breath.
Then, just as I thought it was in the clear, I felt a strong hand pull me off the mattress by the collar of my shirt.

"You little shit!"

I felt a weight on my chest before a fist started making contact with my cheek. He hit me multiple times while yelling at me.

"How dare you sneak out of my house?! You little piece of fucking garbage!"

I didn't even bother yelling back. I just tried my best to block his punches. He was holding me down, so eventually I just gave up. When he saw this, he laughed a little before getting off from on top of me. I just lied there, with my eyes closed, waiting for it to end. But then my eyes shot open as I heard the sound of a belt buckle.

"You thought you were done? You little man whore piece of..."

I didn't hear the rest of his insult. It was interrupted by the crack of the belt on my face.

~~~

Where was Mark?

We had agreed to meet behind the school. I know my parents still didn't want me seeing him so most times we met up in public were in quite secluded spots. But for as rebellious as he could be, he was a very punctual guy. So where was he...?

Just then, I saw someone with a black hood walk past me while carrying goggles. I ran up to him, grabbing his shoulder, pulling him back and turning him around.
I gasped at what I saw.

"M-Mark...what h-happened?"

He had dark purple bruises on his right cheek, and his left eye area was cut up and swollen shut and his lip was cut on that side. He had red marks all over his face and cuts on his neck.

"Lindsey..."

"Who did this?"

"I..."

He looked down, unable to finish his sentence before a tear fell down his cheek. He sat down against the school wall, pulling his legs to his chest. I kneeled in front of him, slowly and gently reaching towards him. But as soon as my hand made the slightest contact with his face, he loudly gasped out in pain, clenching his teeth and holding back a yell.