In Darkness and In Light

In sickness

The smell of dust and chalk still lingered in the air, tainted with the stench of bleach and ammonia. The walls lined with what looked like century old drawings and pictures placed their to obstruct any curious eyes. The lighting above flickered as the bulb was ready to give up its illuminating fight.

Children's laughter echoed into cries.

The coldness of the floor pressed against my cheek as I had fallen down. The ache in my leg too strong to bare as tears fell on the ground. My arm felt like it was in two as a large lump pressured out of it.

The hose came up, I knew where she was going with it. Her eyes wild and spiteful, her face contorted in anger. My eyes rolled over to the younger children, huddled in the corner cowering as I received my punishment, again.

We were told to line up, ready for the pain. But I caused a diversion, I purposely threw my drink at her. I did it for them.. To stop their tears and cries.

The hose sliced the air, coming down fast before connecting with my bare skin.

I jolted awake ready to spring off the bed when Zak's arm tightened around me and fingers brushed my hair back.

"Shh.."

Our bodies were moulded together in the bed, keeping me warm and feeling a little safer.

I looked at my hands seeing the small stains of blood around my nail bed. I need to scrub them, bleach them, burn the blood away.

"Stay a little longer." Zak urged as I tried to get up.

I struggled under his arm until I pulled out of bed standing up shaking.

"Roo. Come sit down, for 5 minutes..."

"T-there's blood. Blood in my hands, in my hands. Blood Zak. I-" I shot into the bathroom sifting my way through the cupboards until I found a nail brush. I scratched at them hard, the bristles biting my skin painfully, turning them red but the blood was going away.

Justin's lips pulled up to a smile as we parted before it faltered as his eyes flicked over my shoulder, his smile faded. He looked at me as fear flooded his eyes, his hand pushed me to the side, my head curled under the sheer force as he threw himself in front of me. Screaming filled the air, my eyes were looking for the screaming, why was there screaming. The silver blade was now coded in red.

"Robyn." Zak spoke by the door making me jump, the nail brush clattered down into the porcelain basin.

"I need to go to the hospital." I nodded looking at him in the mirror.

"No."

"He saved my life. Our baby's life." I interrupted "He deserves some of your precious fucking time too."

"At least eat breakfast first.." He spoke as I began getting ready.

"Not hungry."

"You need to eat."

"I need to make sure he's okay."

A loud bang made me turn, Zak's fist was flat against the door as his chest heaved "You know what?! It's the least he deserves! He owes you a whole lot more than one fucking lung!"

I stepped back "W-ho- why would you say that?"

"He abused you, broke you and now I'm suppose to be grateful?! To him?!"

"I'll go on my own." I confirmed continuing to get ready.

*******

Pushing the door open slowly, I found Jim with his hand propped under his head as he slept.