Stay.

26. Should I try again?

Autum's P.O.V

I opened my eyes. another depressing summer day... ..Yay.

Thomas sucked in, wide eyes with a broken smile. "His car is parked right next to the neighbors house Autumn." I couldn't think for a second.

I'm done being scared.

"THIS SHIT HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH." I mustered up all of my courage and dialed the number I should have dialed that very night. "911, what's your emergency?"

I shuddered, but let the words fall out. "The boy that raped me is stalking my house. Please. Arrest him." I rushed to the window, and his car quickly pulled out. "He- he just left! He was listening to our conversation!" I started to shiver.

She spoke, calm and collected. "Did you see the licence plate?" I closed my eyes. "It said.... Bad boy." My leg started to twitch and I could feel a voice in the back of my head telling me to run. "Of course." I whispered. That cocky prick is back to haunt me. But why? I have to get to the bottom of this.

"We will do all we can. If this issue does come to a serious matter, be sure to dial again." She spoke, happy and a tone of boredom in her voice. "We will check his licence plate and we what we can do. Thank you for calling."

I hung up. Nothing in the world can stop this but myself.

I could feel my brothers eyes burning a hole into the side of my face. And then a small voice spoke. "W-what did they say?" It went silent as I stood in frustration. "Nothing worth my time." I felt the tears stringing my now hot face, boiling from anger that was hidden somewhere deep in my mind.

My brother felt bad, I could tell. But I knew he wouldn't and couldn't do anything to help me. He was the runt- as as much as I loved him, I knew he would never muster up the strength to resist anything.

I sat in tears, wallowing in my own defeat. I knew that it wouldn't be permanent, but it felt good to let my emotions flood out. My protection and motivation were gone. Why even try? I mentally smacked myself for thinking that. And then my phone buzzed.

Intesity filled the air and I swallowed hard. I could still feel my brothers stare as if he was a spectator in the crowd watching "The Bull Ride of Emotions."

I grabbed my phone and my muscles loosened. Just ole' Kevin. Ew. What did he want? I opened the chat box and read the paragraph of pity.

But this one was different. He wasn't acting hurt, and that I caused it. He was... sweet old Kevin I knew before.

"Hey Autum. Its officially been 7 days, 5 hours and 21 minutes since we last talked. I just wanted to check in... I have no idea what's going on in your life but I've got my guitar and the sunset if you wanna just let it out. I won't ask questions. I care for you. I miss that smile. That beautiful smile. You don't smile anymore. And I'm sorry for that. But who cares? Get up, girl! You have a life to live, and dreams to chase. Don't let anything hold you down. Its a difficult principle to live by. But you're strong and I know you'll survive. You aren't broken, Autumn. You're cut. But time heals all wounds. I feel like saying I love you would make things worse... So, I care about you like you're my sister. And I wanna see you smile again. Its up to you if you wanna talk. But yeah. You're in my mind always!"

I cracked a smile. Maybe I should.