Big Girls Don't Cry

Prologue Pt. 3

I ran and ran with Sophie in tow.

My poor Cabbage Patch doll was covered in my blood, but I just couldn't leave her behind.

I had no idea where I was going, but I refused to turn back.

After a few blocks I couldn't go any further, so I stopped and looked around for the friendliest house.

I knocked on the door of a red brick house. When no one answered, I banged as hard as I could.

"Who is it?!"

I stayed quiet.

I was too afraid to open my mouth.

I just wished they would hurry up and answer the door before I was found. I thought they would be coming for me any minute.

The door swung open, showing a girl who looked to be a few years older than me.

Barely looking at me, she said rudely, "we don't want anything you're selling."

She tried to slam the door in my face, but I stopped it with my foot.

"I'm not selling anything. Do you have a phone I can use?"
The girl looked shocked and finally took a second to really look at me.

When she saw the Sophie and I were covered in blood, she poked her head out and looked around quickly, then pulled me into the house.

"Did someone hurt you?!"

I nodded. "Who?! I'll call the police." she said, grabbing the cordless house phone ready to dial.

"No,you can't!" I yelled snatching it from her hands.

"Why not? If someone hurt you they need to pay the price!"

I just shook my head fast and fell to the floor.

How do you tell a stranger something like that?

That your mom basically scheduled you an appointment to be touched my a fat man for drugs because she didn't have any money?

I didn't want her to go to jail, though.

That's my mommy.

I laid on the floor and started shaking.

I couldn'teven cry anymore.
The girl sat next to me and hugged me. I sat up and laid my head on her shoulder, feeling safe.

"Let's get you showered and out of those clothes," she whispered.

I nodded and followed her up the stairs and to the bathroom.

She turned the shower on and told me to get in while she went to her room to find me some clean clothes. I did as told, using the washcloth she left for me.

I scrubbed and scrubbed my skin until it was red and hurting.

She came back soon with some clothes and a towel in her hands.

"These should fit you. When you're done, come into the room across the hall." I thanked her and she sat the clothes down and gave me some privacy.

After I got dressed in the leggings and tshirt she gave me, I threw the old bloody ones in the trash.

Looking around her room, it reminded me of the room I had back home.

The room I never want to see again after today.

She motioned for me to sit next to her on the floor.

"You dont have to tell me what happened to you, but at leats tell me your name."

"Kayla Smith," I said flatly, staring at the lavender walls.
I wanted to paint my walls, but Mommy was always too busy. "I'm Ashley Davis. How old are you?" "I'll be eight tomorrow." "Okay, I'm twelve."

I didnt respond, just admired her stuffed animal collection. It reminded me of the Build-A-Bear I was supposed to get, and I teared up a little.

She handed Sophie to me, and I noticed she was all clean. "Thank you, Ashley," I said hugging Sophie tight. "You're welcome. I'll go get the phone for you." She went downstairs and I thought of who I was about to call.

Ashley came back, telling me how her mom should be home soon and she'd be wondering who the little girl in her house is and why she's wearing her daughters clothes.

I tuned her out and started to dial the number when I heard, "I'm sure you mom is looking for you anyways." I laughed on the inside.

If only she knew.

Because of my mother, I didn't feel seven going on eight anymore. I continued to dial the one number I could never forget. They made sure I knew it so I could call from wherever I was, any time.

Right before I was about to hang up, I heard the familiar voice and couldn't help but tear up because now I really felt safe. "Hello?" the voice called for the third time.

"Daddy?"..