Come Home To Me

Part Two - Chapter Three

I stared at the sky following the birds with my eyes. If I could fly I'd go find Adelynn. Or maybe to Europe where Drake could never find me. Or maybe- "Hi Sweetie!" an elderly woman, Ms. Thomasan, called out. The golden bracelets on her wrists dangling as she waved. I glanced at her before looking next door to the chipping yellow house of doom. I hiked my bag higher on my shoulder when I spotted Drake in the kitchen window. "Do you want Apple pie?" I ignored her even as my stomach growled in protest. "Peach? Blueberry?" I glared at the sky up above. The door to the tower of my fairytale slammed open and Drake came staggering out. He narrowed his green eyes before fixing a fake smile on his face.

"Where have you been?" He asked wrapping an arm around my shoulders, his hand lying to close to my breast.

"The library," I replied gripping my bag until my knuckles turned white.

"Tell me next time Jean!" He exclaimed with a forced chuckle. We walked through the door with a wave to Ms. Thomasan. When the dark door shut the smile was replaced with a sneer. "You think you're so clever, Jean. Sneaking out like that." He shoved me back into a cold wall. I could feel new bruises marking my skin. "You are going to be punished. You stupid bitch. You're lucky you're beautiful." A slap connected with my cheek. "You know the rules! No talking to the neighbors!" He yelled smacking me again.

"I-I-I d-didn't sa-say any-anything," I stuttered as fear shook me.

"Bullshit. I saw you," He growled landing a punch to my gut. He punched again in the exact same spot. And again. And again. Until I was sure something had broken or bruised. With a shove to the wall, he put a hand around my throat. He pushed harder and harder. I was choking, gasping for air. There just wasn't enough to be in my lungs. My head was throbbing, my eyes glazing. I was only aware of the rough hand on my throat. Then suddenly something plunged into my abdomen. Black dots sprouted in my vision. My head was slammed against the wall. Again and again, until it, all went black.

When my eyes opened it was too blinding lights. There was a woman who sat in a seat by a door with a straight back and hair in a perfect bun. I sat up slowly and almost shouted in pain. I took in the shiny white tiled floor, the IV lines running into my arm, the crinkly sheets under me, and the stiffness of the hospital gown. Great a hospital. Why am I here? As I tried to recall the reason my head became foggy and the memory was just slightly out of reach. Suddenly a pair of forest green eyes were trained on me. "Emmy," the woman gasped out reaching towards me.

"Uh," I shrunk back. "Who are you?" asked, my head still slightly foggy as I tried to put a name to a face. The woman choked back on a sob.

"Do you know why you're here?" she asked wiping tears from her face.

"Uh. No. Should I?" I questioned placing a hand to my head as I felt the room start to spin.

"Nevermind. Sleep Emmy. We'll talk later." I was pushed back onto the bed and my eyes started closing.

When I woke again the woman was there again. "Who's Emmy?" I asked, my throat hurting from lack of use.

"You. Well, it's a childhood nickname for you," she explained eyes slightly saddening at the word childhood. I reached and reached into my brain to recall anything but it was just blank.

"Oh. What's my name?"

"Emmaline Jean Stein. Sometimes you go by Emily as well," she informed picking at a piece of her champagne blonde hair.

"Uh huh. And what's your name?" I asked slightly dreading the answer as I saw her tense.

"Adelynn Aubree Stein." Adelynn turned her head. Hey, wait! I know that name. I think...