Hell To Lovers

Chapter 12

I wake up in a closet.

Light comes from under the door, shining on my face while I’m on the floor.

I grimace and get up wondering why I’m in here.

I slowly stand trying the nob.

Locked.

Why the hell?

Is he planning to keep me held captive? Rape me? Hurt me? Sell me for drugs?

I hear a yell and press my ear against the door.

“GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU WORTHLESS EXCUSE FOR A SON!” Someone yells, getting louder with every word.

I’m assuming that it’s Tobias’s father.

He’s the mayor I think.

I didn’t know Tobias’s father was really around, judging by how carefree Tobias is.

Tobias must’ve done something to piss him off.

Maybe that’s why I’m in the closet.

Maybe his father put me here and he’ll do something to me.

I can already see the lawsuit.

I hear a crash and then skin being hit with something, hard, and thin.

I shrink back to the floor and curl up in a ball into the corner.

The whole small space smells like male, soap, and Tobias.

I see small marks on the wall, they are tallys.

I see 6 lines on one side, 10 on another, 7, 4, 2, 19, 8. All random places, all written in different things. Blue, pink, black, purple crayons, chalk, a pencil.

I look down and see blood smears, dried, all old.

I hear another crash and decide I need to get out.

I grab the hair pin from my hair,  and jiggle it in the keyhole until the door falls open.

I climb out and see the bed sheets nicely made and the room is cleaned up.

My dress is still sitting on the desk though.

It seems odd in his gray room.

I slowly walk out of the room, light on my feet.

I turn the corner in the hallway and look down the stairs to see Tobias at the bottom, on the floor with his arms covering his face.

Then I see his father.

Marcus, I believe is his name.

He’s holding a belt in his hand and he pulls his arm back to swing at Tobias.

In a fast decision I throw myself in front of him and I get slapped across the face.

I feel the tears spill from my eyes, without me letting them.

It hurt that bad?

My cheek stings.

Marcus looks confused and frozen in place.

I yank the belt from him and drop it to the ground.

He looks at me.  

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I yell at him, pushing him in the shoulders.

He backs up and leaves the house.

I whip around to Tobias who is staring at me in shock.

I crouch down, “You okay?”