The Battle Inside

Chapter 15

Shauna POV

"Come on Bambi, you'll get to see Kir soon!" I tried to pull her out of the car. She could never say Kirstie's name properly, so she called her Kir. "I'll give you your stuffed whatever-it-is if you get out and stop kicking me in the shin!"

"It's name is OKAPI!!!" She screamed.

"Here! Here is your Okapi thing. Now just stop kicking me and get out of the car!" I brought her toy out of my bag and held it in front of her face. She yanked it out of my hands and hugged it tightly against her chest. Bambi immediately stopped hitting me and got out of the car.

Man, for a six year old, she's got a strong leg. I rubbed my aching shin and looked over at my cousin, Jaisele. She was just watching us two fight with a stupid grin fixed on her face. I limped over to where she was standing and whacked her on the arm. She pretended like it hurt and sat down and 'cried.'

"Well, are you coming or what?" I said to her as I picked up Bambi and strolled over to the front door. She snapped out of her gaze and followed me.

I knocked on the wood and waited for her to answer it.

Nothing.

I knocked once more with a bit more strength.

No answer.

This time, and called out "Basket of puppies!" while knocking for the third time, hoping that she would answer to that.

I was right; soft footsteps got closer until the door was slowly opened. I was taken aback as I stared horrified at this sight in front of the three of us.

The usually gorgeous Kirstie Maldonado, was now a broken young girl. Her tear-stained face had smudges of mascara around her sad eyes. The worst part of it was that when she lifted her arm, her sleeve fell, revealing scars and deep, purple bruises. Even on her face, there were a long cut along her cheek and a blackened left eye.

"Oh, Kirstie!" I exclaimed. This made me feel terrible. It looked like she could collapse any minute.

"Kir? Are you okay?" Bambi looked up at her big sister.

Kirstie nodded, but winced in pain. "I-i'm fine Bambi. It's so nice to see you."

Bambi frowned slightly. "No. You sad. Here." She holds out and gives her 'Okapi.'

All of us were surprised, since she never, and I repeat, never, lets anyone touch Okapi. Kirstie gingerly took it and held it against her chest. "Bam, are you sure?"

"Yes." She said firmly. Kirstie smiled and pulled her into a tight hug.

"I love you, Bam." She kissed the side of her head.

Once they let go of each other, I pulled her aside. "Hey, can I talk to you privately?" Her eyes widened slightly and nodded. "Okay, what the hell happened to you!" I asked once we were alone in her bedroom.

She didn't answer, she just collapsed onto her bed and burst into tears. "Oh, Shauna, it's terrible!"

"What? What's terrible?" I sat down and did my absolute best to comfort her.

"Well, you see, I have a new boyfriend an-" I cut her off with a quick question.

"Who is it?" I was intrigued.

"His name's Andrew Korban, I doubt you'v-" I cut her off once more.

"Wait, THE Andrew Korban? That douche-bag from that gang that calls themselves The Hell Hounds?"

"Well, I don't know about the name, but he did tell me that he's in a gang."

"Kirstin, break up with him and run. Do you have any idea what you have gotten yourself into?"

"Yes, I do." She retorts, showing all of her scars and bruises.

"I'm surprised you haven't left him yet. He's the leader of that gang. He made up that rule about getting a girlfriend and doing what they want. So, if you want to live, leave him."

"But he sa-"

"No buts. Leave him." I said firmly. "Come on, let's go bak out there." I grabbed her wrist and dragged her back to the lounge where Jaisele and Bambi were watching Spongebob.

Kirstie cleared her throat and put on a fake smile. "So, who wants to go out for lunch?"