The Shadows of Memory Lane (Book 2) [Gxg]

Chapter 14

Amia shivered against the cold. The darkness was overwhelming in the well lit street that stretched next to the sea. She could feel the tears in her eyes. Running down her cheeks as she ran down the seemingly never-ending road. She ignored the pain. Tried to push back the thoughts of suffering. The raspy voice. The uncomfortable hands. The glazed over eyes that held no malice, despite the actions of the body they belonged to. They held... recognition. And that's what made the small fourteen year old shiver. Her obsidian eyes were darker than they had ever been. And she could feel the blood. The scratches. The permanent scars.

Her legs were about to give in but she wouldn't let them, she kept moving. Pressuring them to run faster, so that she could reach home in time. She barely knew where she was, but she trusted her inner instincts. The tar was hard against her bare feet. She'd wanted to get out of there as fast she possibly could. She had no time for shoes. She'd hardly had time for clothes. Her clothes that were torn and dirty.

She dug her nails into the palms of her hands, she had to keep going, the pain cleared her thoughts. Emotions could be felt once she was safe. Once she was not vulnerable. For tears endangered her. She'd be hunted till she was extinct. She was thankful that she was alive. There was a lot to be thankful for at that moment, she told herself, repeatedly. Hoping that if she heard those words a million times, she'd believe them.

She heaved a sigh of relief when she spotted the familiar porch. She noticed that the lights were turned on inside. Her parents were probably worried sick. Her phone had died a long time ago. She climbed the steps, and reached out for the door, turning the knob and pushing it open, using her remaining strength. And she collapsed on the doorstep, the last image her eyes caught before they closed was that of her parents rushing towards her, her name forming on their lips.

Amia's parents, Robert and Jennifer, stared helplessly at their daughter, hoping that her eyes would open. Her brown hair surrounded by the white of the hospital pillow, and her injured body covered with the sickly green hospital gown. The one in which so many had died in. All the could do is hope that their daughter wouldn't be one. They had faith in her of course. She'd always been very strong, emotionally. They knew that she would fight. Jennifer held her daughter's hand, wishing that she could share her heart with her. Robert stared at his daughter, lovingly, wishing that he could breathe air into her lungs and make sure they kept doing their job.

It might have been their intense gazes, or maybe it was the strength of the belief they had on their daughter. But her obsidian orbs fluttered open.

"Ma? Pa? Oh I love you guys so much. I'm so sorry I worried you two. I would've come sooner but..." she trailed off, not wanting to share the experience.

"Baby, it's okay," her mother cooed, brushing her face, gently.

"Amia look at me sweetheart," her father instructed, "Your mother and I love you very much, I want you to know that okay? We'd never do anything to harm you. And I promise to do everything in my power to help you. Just tell me what you want me to do... and when you are ready tell us what happened..." he looked away, not wanting his daughter to see the tears that were starting to form in his eyes.

"Daddy, it's fine, I need to tell you guys..." she took in a deep breath, "Mom, dad... I was raped."

"Hey Amia!"

"Hey Li," Amia greeted, dismissively, too focused on her painting.

"What are you working on?" Linda asked, leaning over her shoulder, trying to sneak a peek.

Amia pushed her off, "You'll get to see it once I'm done, until that, leave me alone."

"Okiiiiii," Linda said in a sing song voice and plopped herself on the couch, switching the television on.