We can hurt together

~ Dawn ~

DAWN

*8 years earlier*
September 11th

Home. A place I thought my worries and sadness will go away. A place I thought would be my safe heaven. A place that no bad guys or mean girls wouldn't enter. A place I thought it would protect me. But sadly, I was wrong.

I was walking out of school, when I see my mother's car right in the corner. I began walking to the car, but then Eric, the cutest guy in my class, stepped in front of me.

"Hey, Dawn." He smiled, the smile that could make any girl crazy.

"Hi, Eric. What's up?" I shyly replied, playing with my fingers.

"I am wondering if you would like to come to my birthday party this Saturday?" I can't believe he's inviting me to his birthday party.

"Yeah, sure. I just have to ask my mom." I paused. "Well, see you tomorrow, Eric." I waved goodbye, staring to walk to my mom's car.

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow!" He shouted from behind me.

When I got to my mother's car, I see her with an angry expression. I hope she's not mad at me. I wasn't ready yet to go home. I'm really scared.

When we arrived, I see my dad's car in the driveway, and my brother's car. Stepping out of the car, I started walking towards the front door. Before I could reach the doorknob, my mother grabs me by the hair and pulls on it tightly. I became scared. It's not the first time she acts this way, but every time she does it becomes more terrifying. And the pulls of hair become more painful.

"Don't ever speak to boy, do you understand? You are not worth their time, you ugly whore." She spat in my face, very angrily. Fear was evident seen in my face.

"Mom, he's just a friend." I grabbed her hand to try and pull my hair back to try and make less painful. I will never understand why it bothers her so much when boys talk to me. It's not like I'll have a boyfriend anytime soon.

"I don't think so. He asked you out, didn't he?" She pulled on my hair harder, just to give her an answer. I couldn't respond. I wasn't sure if he was a date or something, but I'm sure I'll get in much more trouble if I did say he asked me out.

I never thought my life would end up like this, abused and worthless. Then my mother finally let's go of my hair, pushing me, hard, towards the door. I quickly entered the house, hoping not to bump into dad. But my luck sucks. Dad is far worse than mom.

"Get your brother, you piece of shit." He yelled at my face, grabbing a tight hold of my arm. I quickly ran to the stairs, heading towards my brother's room.

When I reached his door, I could hear The Backstreet Boys in his radio. Opening his door completely I see him lying on his bed sleeping peacefully. I really didn't want to wake him up, but I don't have a choice. I started shaking him but he wasn't waking up.

"William, wake up. Dad wants us downstairs." Still, no response. I started to panic. That's when I realized the blood dripping out of the bed sheets. I couldn't believe what I'm seeing. I scanned his body to see where the blood was coming from, it's from his wrists. There were multiple cuts in his wrist still fresh. He cut himself to death.

I started breathing heavily. I couldn't believe my brother left me with our parents. He promised he would never leave me. He said that when he turned 18 we would be leaving home, for good. He promised a beautiful paradise, where no bad would enter. I can't believe he let our parents win this war. He gave up to soon. Now I'm hopeless, he was my savior. Now that paradise is gone.

I then heard footsteps. "What's taking so long!?" He yelled very annoyed. I simply pointed at my brother's lifeless body. Dad immediately ran downstairs. I'm guessing he's going to call the ambulance, but for what? He's already gone. There's no saving him anymore.

A week has passed since my brother committed suicide and things became worse. My parents have been abusing me twice as worse as they used to. I've gotten used to it, but it stills hurts. I still couldn't believe my brother left me with the monsters I call parents. I understand that he couldn't take the pain anymore, but neither could I.

I remember, he would sometimes come in the way when dad was about to hit me. But as much as William wanted him to stop he would have found a way to beat me. Dad is one to always leave a scar in our bodies, just to remind us of how worthless we are.

Ever since the incident happened, my uncle Andrew, my dad's brother, has been visiting us lately. I always wanted to tell him about the abuse, but I know that my dad would suspect.

Until one day my uncle asked my parents if he could take me to the fair with my cousins. Surprisingly, they said yes. I was extremely happy. That is until we arrived at a police station. I was so confused that day.

My uncle leads me to a room where two police officers sat. I was scared. I didn't know what I did wrong, my uncle notices my face and told me not to worry because I wasn't in trouble. I relaxed a little by just hearing that.

Uncle sat me down in his lap and the police started asking questions of my brother. Like for instance, did you know about the scars that your brother has around his body? Then there, Dawn, please tell us, did your parents abused you and your brother?

I couldn't answer none of them. I was terrified my parents would found out I snitched on them. I don't know what they are capable of doing to me if they fund out.

"Dawn, it's okay. I'll protect you from your parents." With those simple words, I broke down in my uncle's shoulder. I let all the tears I couldn't let out in my own home. I told them that it's true. About the abuse, the scars, I even explain them my theory why my brother took his own life.

After my confession, Uncle Andrew was taking me to his home. I was safe, at last. I hope this happiness never goes away. But luck doesn't seem to be always at my side.

I was seated in the couch when I felt a hand over my shoulder, I looked up to see my uncle Andrew with pity written all over his face.

"Sweetie," He breathed. "Your parents were involved in a car accident." With that I got the pieces together. I felt a little bit of relief that I won't see them anytime soon, but I felt completely alone. Even if they caused me pain I loved them. I wanted them to see me succeed even though they won't care.

I had tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn't tell them I loved them, that I forgive them for all the pain they caused me, that I will always be grateful for those years that were peaceful between the four of us. But now I'm too late. I'm always too late.