The Loudest Silence

Isabella

I pulled my jacket tighter around me as soon as I stepped out of the warm library. 

It was an old jacket I had found around the house during a chilly night where Rick had refused to turn the heat on. Though it was a little torn in a few spaces, it had provided me shelter during chilly nights. 

I could feel the warm air from the library lingering behind me as I stepped out into the cool afternoon. My hair flew in all directions as I stepped around wads of students making their way in and out of the building.

As I began the walk back towards my dorm, a wave of exhaustion flew over me. Lengthy nights spent without a wink of sleep had finally caught up to me and I needed a good night of sleep. I slightly smiled to myself as I came to the realization that I would finally be able to rest freely without the fear of being awoken violently, or from the unbearable cold that approached during the night. 

Pushing a few strands of my hair behind my ear, I took my time walking back towards the dorm. The afternoon sun was slowly descending as orange and red colors began occupying the sky. I could hear the sounds of branches brushing up against one another as the wind picked up its speed. After a few minutes of walking, my dorm came in my line of vision.

Just as I was reaching for the door to the entrance of the building, a grip on my upper arm brought me to a halt.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

It had happened far too many times  to not know who it was.

The rapid thud of my heart resounded in my ears as I slowly turned around. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as my eyes met the identical ones of Ricks. 

It was as if a fire was raging within his orbs. 

I could feel the anger roll of him in waves as his condescending stare burned into me. 

No words were exchanged as his grip on my arm tightened and he began pulling me towards a secluded corner behind the dorm building. The sun had nearly set, and it was mostly dark outside meaning that Rick could do anything to me without anyone seeing.

We were hidden from anyones view, and screaming would only bring me intolerable  consequences.

I scoffed internally at myself for even thinking that my life would be any different now that I was here. 

Rick would always be around and I would never be far from his reach.

I would never escape this life.

As soon as we were securely hidden from anyone, Rick shoved me backwards into the building. The bricks from the wall dug into my skin as I tried to regain my balance. I let out a shaky breath as I looked up at Rick whose angry stare was burning holes in my head. 

He took a menacing step towards me as I shriveled back into the wall. His rough hand gripped my chin tightly as he pushed me farther into the wall.

"Where were you." He seethed as the pressure on my chin intensified. I let out a whimper of pain as I attempted to loosen his grip.

"I was in the library." I quickly answered, my voice shaking.

Rick let out a growl in anger before pulling me back from the wall slightly before slamming my body into it once again.