Alice
A week ago my father found a way out of prison. A week ago I realized that Asher and I aren't friends, we are more. A week ago, I was a different girl.
Mom went out early this morning to get food for us. I've been on the phone with Asher about nonstop except I have to hang up now so I can get dressed in case I have to look presentable for some reason. Just as I am about to take of my pajamas to change into the outfit I've picked out the doorbell rings.
I silently curse and walk to the door yelling "Just a second!" To whoever is waiting.
Before I open the door I see the person is wearing a lot of dark clothes, that is a key to stay a little bit farther away from the screen door, just in case. When I pull open the door I gasp and try to close the door but the man shoves his hand through the screen door and he pushes the door wide open. The momentum of the door causes me to trip and fall on the ground, putting me in the most vulnerable position.
"Hello, daughter." His deep voice rumbles
"Get away from me." I spit at him
"Oh, you have become such a brave one, Alisa." He says "No more faking your appreciation for me?"
"Get away!" I scream "Help!"
His thick, meaty hand comes down on my mouth and I bite down hard when is pinkie finger accidently slips into my mouth "Ahh! You doofus! I raised you from the time you were a little baby but the way you repay me is by sending me to jail you ugly witch! I can't believe I could even raise such a disobedient child. Maybe you should have died instead of your brother Andrew. Maybe he would have been a respectful offspring for me to pass my legacy to. I am going to teach you a lesson. It is going to be the best thing you have ever learned." His voice rumbles on
"No!" I scream, my voice becoming shrill "Help! Someone help me!" My words fill the air but I know no one is coming to help me.
The gigantic man who created me shoves me into a blacked out car and snaps me into place, using handcuffs to keep my hands secured around the head rest. If I could some how get the thing to come out of the seat I could smash him over the head but I don't think I will be able to get a good enough grip to hurt him seriously, I'd just make him mad.
The drive isn't long and when he pulls me out of the vehicle he is stupid enough to not cover my eyes so I get a good view of the small cottage. We are in town. When everyone realizes I am gone they are going to expect me to be out of state. I could be here with my father for my whole life.
"Do you want anything to drink?" He asks as he throws me onto a wooden chair that creaks under the pressure
"Yes, please." I say, hoping he will go away so I can size up the room in order to find a way to escape
"Oh, well, that's just too bad isn't it." He roars, pushing my chair into the wall "because you don't get any!"
"You are an insane man!" I cry
"You are a disrespectful child." He yells, smashing his hand against my jaw. I can feel the instant bruise and pain reverberates through my skull.
"You are a disgusting person." I say under my breath, earning myself another slap and a punch to the gut. I am crying now but no way am I going to let him know I've learned my lesson. That is what happens next. He asks if I've learned my lesson.
"Have you learned your lesson?" He snarls
"No! Never will I learn another lesson from you." I say through my tears
"Then I will have to continue your punishment." He says.
It seems like hours of pain and I'm sure it is more than that but I just pretend like it isn't happening. I go numb to the pain, trying to remember the good things in life. I can't let him take control of my fear.
First I remember Asher. I visualize his strong jaw line and subtle stubble. I see his smile and the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs. I see love, when I look at him.
Then I try to make every detail of my Mother and our puppy. I see my mother's long hair and teenager like persona. I take her and place her with Asher and Libby in the love side of my brain. I imagine all three of them, my family, to make the pain go away.
It seems like he will never stop beating me but the funny thing is, he isn't really hurting me. Sure he is damaging my body and practically killing me but I will never let him hurt my emotions and my brain again. He is too low for me, and I realize that now. If I were to let him into my brain so he could sit and reek havoc there it would be my fault and only mine.
It is your choice to let something get to you and if it destroys you it is also your fault since you made the choice to allow it to hurt you. So, I won't let him hurt me.
I sit in the small wooden chair and I barely realize that he has stopped. Only the taste of iron dripping into my mouth and the thrum of pain let me know that he was even doing anything. The pain hurts, but I am stronger.
I know that Mom and Asher won't rest until they find me, and that is how I finally let myself fall to sleep. Even though it may not be good that I slipped into unconsciousness, the darkness just seems so friendly right now.
