Book of Vents

This is War

(A/N: I decided to make a story based off the song This is War, from Thirty Seconds to Mars. I hope you enjoy. Heads up, there's some themes that may trigger stuff.  Eh.... I think I should of put this somewhere else, but eh, it's kind of a vent write but it's more of a random short story that's kinda dark. Idk. But here's the music video if your interested. Okay, enjoy!)

I was never the same after getting beat up so much. I just... kinda got used to it. The emotional and verbal attacks did more damage then the many kicks to the ribs. I thought at school... I would be safe. But I wasn't. Because I was so small, I was always thought of being weak.

At home, my sister would pick fights with me, and then she would get the joy of releasing her anger on me. I just decided to take the painful blows. She was sister, why would I hurt her? At school the older kids would surround me before class started at the beginning of the day, and after class at the end of the day. I tried to avoid them, but that made things worse for me. So eventually I waited for them there. They were slightly kinder, but not by a lot.

High school though... I gained a crush. He had dark hair and bright eyes. I worked in the cafeteria, that's how we met. Funny how someone would pay attention to a nobody like me... but he was my first friend. One day I saw him getting bullied after school. They looked like seniors, and athletes....

That day... I don't know what happened. But I ran over to the two beating on him, and I kicked the one punching him in the stomach right into the face with all my might. He seemed to almost fly through the air onto his back.

Then I turned my attention to the bigger dude who was holding my crush in place. He let him slump against the wall. He reached out to me and mouthed "No..." while shaking his head. He started to crawl towards me.

The words in my favorite song came into my mind. "To the left... to the right... we will fight to the death... it's a brand new world...."

I punched to the left, hitting him hard in the nose, dodged his punch to the right. He was sent stumbling behind me and I turned around, sending a groin kick straight in between his open legs as hard as I could.

He screamed out as he held his injured crotch, falling to the floor. He laid there until his friend stumbled over to him, picking him up and they both limped away.

I rushed over to my crush and held out my hand, shaking greatly. I... I did it...

He was shaking lightly as he took my hand and I raised him to his feet, putting my arm under his and walked slowly towards the office.

"Th-thank you.." he said, looking at me, "Have you ever done that before?"

I shake my head, "No, I'm normally the one with the bruises."

He was silent for the rest of the walk there. After he was patched up, the nurse walked over to me, about to touch my shoulder, "Now let's get a look at you, hon."

I jumped up before she could touch me, and I shook my head. "No ma'am. I didn't get hit in the fight."

She raised my eyebrow suspiciously, but left. He smiled at me. "Hey, really, thanks. That nurse said I was lucky to get away with only a few bruises and a sprained wrist."

We started walking back towards the hall for our stuff. "Heh, ya. You would do the same for me.. it's.. it's what friends do right?"

Though I didn't actually know what friends do. The only friends I had were ones that used me. But oh well. Can't change the past.

I picked up my stuff and then his, handing them to him. He smiled, "You wanna hang out at my place?"

"Ya, I--" I look down sadly, "No. Sorry, my mom and dad won't let me. I'm already late! Fuck!"

I turn and start to run towards the exit. no, no, no! I'm so dead! I'm so gonna have a broken rib for sure!"

Then I notice him running beside me, "I'll go with you. I don't have to go inside or anything, just till the end of the block or something."

I was so happy to have him there. I felt so safe and empowered with him near. That may have been why I was able to fight those huge dudes.

I slowed to a walk, panting, as we approached my block. "Welp... my house is down this block." I point to the shitty house on the corner. "That's my house."

He nods and pulls me into a tight hug and I mumble as my fragile ribs and fresh bruises from this morning are squished, "ow.."

"Wait, am I hurting you? I'm sorry." He lessens his grip and I the pain dies down, I wrap my arms around his tightly.

This... this is a hug.... I start to cry silently in his arms. This embrace... it felt so warm and safe.

He pulls away, but I hold on a moment longer. Then I smile a little at him. wow... i.. i haven't smiled in so many years.... "See ya!"

He smiles back, "Ya, let's do this again okay. Maybe without those jocks this time."

I wave, "Wait, what's your name!"

He told me his name, gave me his Facebook account and cell number. I put it into my backpack and turned away, walking into my hell-home.

My mom and father were passed out drunk on the couch, I was able to sneak in without them noticing. They came in late that night and beat on me well into the morning. It was an hour before school when they felt satisfied... at least for this day.

I silently cried, if any whimpering was heard, that meant even more beatings. I took off my shirt, crawling slowly from my bed and looked at my bruised body. There were multiple cuts too where my dad stabbed me. That only happens once a week or so thankfully.

I through the bloody shirt into my laundry hamper and got out a different long sleeve shirt. They were always thorough with their beatings. Hands and knuckles were slapped with a ruler once a week, to avoid detection from school. My arms were given hard hits and Indian burns. Stomach and ribs were kicked daily. My back was burned with cigarettes and cigars. I was spanked repeatedly. Toes were stepped on. Head smashed into a hard surface. Face was slapped by a hand more than four times. Back, arms, thighs, and abdomen was where I was stabbed by a small kitchen knife.

I went into the kitchen and did the dishes. Then I made food for my parents and sister. My sister didn't like the food I made so through the glass plate at me and it hit my shoulder. A piece of glass was lodged in my higher bicep. I didn't even flinch. I just picked up the pieces and through them away and then wrapped my arm up after taking the thick glass from my arm. I changed into a different shirt and then grabbed my bag, grabbed wine for my parents and left for school.

I'm fighting a war. One that I will make it through. I have someone to fight for now.