Seasons

Chapter 14

Hello? I couldn’t move, I could barely open my eyes. Is anyone there? My fingers twitched before I lifted my hand and gained enough energy to sit up. A pounding pain rushed to my brain as I held the side of my head with my hand. It stung when it made contact and I immediately pulled my hand away. When I looked down there was blood, on my hand. There were no cuts on my hand but the injury was on my head. What happened? Where am I? I looked around to see  I was in a dark alley, at night. I didn’t know where I was, I don’t remember how I even got here.

I pushed myself off the ground and wobbled to keep my balance. When I looked down I noticed I was completely naked. I quickly covered my body and looked around frantically. Was I raped? Was I kidnaped? I don’t remember anything. I am so scared out of my mind, I just want to get home and take a shower and go to bed, I just want to go home. As I made my way to the main streets I felt all eyes on me. Even though it was dark and the cars just zoomed past I felt that everyone was watching me.

A car honked at me and a man shouted out of his window. “How much for a night baby!?” With his rude comment, he laughed before speeding away. I felt gross, humiliated, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I broke down, I started sobbing as I made my way home. I had no phone, no bag, no clothes, nothing. Jinyoung, where are you? All I can think about is Jinyoung, is he okay? Did they pick on him too? I really hope not. I pray that I was the only one who got hurt, I don't want to see him in pain. I will do anything to save that boy from harm or humiliation. Something about him just sends me gravitating towards him. It’s like no matter what I say, no matter how many time I tell myself it’s a dream, I see that it’s not. Jinyoung I’m sorry for walking away, I’m sorry for repressing my feelings, just please be alright, please have a good nights sleep, please be at home safe.

Finally, I made it home. When I got onto the porch I saw all my stuff, my bag, my clothes, my shattered phone too. I threw it all into the bag and prayed to god my father was asleep so I don’t have to explain why I’m coming home naked and bloody. I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. There he was, drunk and passed out on the couch. I felt a heavy weight lift off my chest as I made my way inside. I hurried past the living room and ran straight to my room.

I threw all my belongings on the bed and went into my bathroom, slamming the door behind me. My hands trembled against the cold white sink as looked into the reflection in front me. My breath hitched as I seen who was staring back at me. A young girl, auburn hair, tinted skin, maybe 5 foot 4 inches. She wore her hair down, mangled, packed with muddy dirt and blood. Her exposed body was tattooed in cuts and bruises of different colors. Dried tears were ran streaked down her face, they were soon being replaced by fresh new warm ones. Crying only made it hurt worse, I felt the sting on my irritated cheeks the moment I let it fall.

My arms were bruised around every joint and my hands were mangled. I saw the blood and dirt under my nails, meaning I at least put up a fight. Two hand print bruises stamped around my neck meaning I was probably strangled until I passed out, at least I’m not dead. Finally my face, bloody nose, busted lips, and two block eyes. Written across my forehead in dark black ink were the words, ‘You’ll pay for this.’

My knees grew weaker by the second before I collapsed on the floor. All of this happened because I made a friend. All of this happened because someone talked to me, because someone was actually being nice to me for once. All of this happened because I was treated like a human, not an animal. I should have just stayed alone, I should have pushed Jinyoung and the boys away when I had the chance. This is my fault, I let this get out of hand. I deserve this.

I didn’t even notice I was crying until I felt a warm drop fall on my knees. The tear left red and brown stains were it laid, I need to take a shower. I had to scoot my way to the shower and turn it on before pulling myself into the tub. I didn’t speak, I didn’t get up, I just sat there letting the water consume me. It sprinkled on my face and body like snow in the winter. I was April but my heart felt like December. I shut my eyes as tight as I could and held my knees to my chest, just go to sleep, I told myself. And eventually, I did.