Not A Word

Chapter Nineteen

Tara

Having hid myself in Greg's room I looked around for somewhere to hide. There was nowhere. The closet was beyond full and I couldn't have fit in there even with my small body. Looking around I saw that his bed was high enough to for me to fit under.

I sent up a quick prayer and slid myself beneath the bed frame, taking my bag with me. Forcing myself to breath more quietly I listened for any sign of who had come to the door.

Through the deafening silence I faintly heard a woman's voice speak. Was it my mother? Had they decided that they missed me and loved me after all? I shook my head, of course not. They told you everyday just how much of an abomination that thought you were. You shouldn't want to go back to them even if they suddenly wanted you back. Your father tried to kill you! I admonished myself.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs and the voice grew closer to the door. "You're going to love her." I heard Greg say from the other side of the door. I heard the handle turn and the door swing open. "Tara, please come out. There is someone here I want you to meet." he said calmly.

I felt my stomach clench and tie itself in knots. My father had always said that when he brought his buddies over to help beat on me. Those words rang in my ears as I remembered all the horrible things they had done. The pain and horror was still fresh in my mind as if it had happened yesterday. Biting my lip I debated on coming out.

"Sweetie are you sure you're alright? There's nobody in here." a worried female voice said.

"Please don't be afraid Tara. I told you I would never hurt you. That also means I wouldn't bring someone here that would hurt you either." Greg continued to console me.

I sighed lightly and slid out from under the bed. There was nothing I could do now. I had told Greg that I trusted him. I just hope he lives up to my trust. Once I stood up I refused to look up at the woman's face, instead focusing on her shoes.

"Greg!" she exclaimed, "You've had another woman in here while I was gone? She looks your brother's age! How could you do this to me?!" she wailed.

My eyes widened. Do something with Greg? That's the conclusion she had jumped to. looking at Greg I saw he looked panicked. This must be the girlfriend he had spoken so sweetly about, and because of me that could change. "Don't blame Greg." I said startling her.

"Why should I not? He obviously has been keeping an underage tramp in the house while I'm at work!" she screeched at me.

"You may call me a tramp but know that it is not the worst I have been called. The only reason I am here is because Greg has taken me in and has offered to protect me when nobody will." I said softly meeting her eyes finally and wanting to fit things for Greg.

The woman glared at me. "Why don't you go home to your parents!"

I wanted to scream back at her but knew I needed to stay calm, "That's impossible. My parents think that I am dead. Before you say that we could enlighten them I would ask you to not. They are the ones that tried to kill me." I said and felt tears fill my eyes.

The woman stood there looking shocked by my words. I couldn't handle her gaze anymore and walked toward the door. "Excuse me please, I need to use the loo." Walking in I shut the door and leaned against it with a sob. If I broke them up then I would leave no matter how much I needed the help.

Denise

I looked over at Greg in shock. "I think you need to explain." I said miserably. "Why did she say that her parents tried to kill her?"

Greg sat down on the bed and motion for me to sit next to him. "I would sit, this could take some time to explain."

I sat next to him and faced him waiting for his explanation. "Start with her parents."

"Tara's family is not like others. You and I grew up in loving households where we were sheltered and protected. Tara was never sheltered, never protected, never shown love or compassion. Her parents hate her though I have not found a reason as to why. She's honestly the sweetest girl I've ever met... besides you Denise."

I chuckled, "Nice save. Okay go on I know there's more to this story."

"The problem is that her parents don't just hate her, they despise her existence. About a week ago her father tried to kill her after years of abuse. They would beat her. That isn't where her problems ended though. At school she is bullied. There is a group of kids at school that beat her up. She's been to the hospital multiple times because of them and her parents.

"As a result she doesn't easily trust. I brought her home one day about two weeks ago when I found her beaten into unconsciousness in the hallway. I hadn't seen who did it but I couldn't just leave her there. I brought her home and helped her. She wouldn't stay then because she still didn't trust me." he took a deep breath and continued.

"She was released from the hospital today and she knew that she couldn't go home after her father tried to kill her. She came to me and asked for help. This is a girl who only goes to the hospital when she's brought there unconscious. I knew that I needed to help her."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek. How could one girl have survived through so much pain and dejection?