Saving Grace | ✓

Chapter Two

{ Chapter Two }

Hope and David, my parents, weren't always abusive like they are now. When I was born, they may or may not have actually had hearts and souls. It was a happy first eight years of my childhood. But when they had Alexis, they were happy for a few weeks before they started drinking. And drinking, and drinking. They became addicts and alcoholics. Then they turned to violence. 

Alexis was constantly being abused by the time she was five years old. She begged me not to take her to preschool because she didn't want parents, teachers, and other kids to see her bruises and scars. She has been starved, locked up, intentionally dehydrated, beaten, attacked, and so much more. 

I don't exactly know why they didn't start getting abusive until Alexis was born. They never hurt me when I was little. But as soon as she came along, everything changed in them. I always figured I was worse than my sister, but apparently, I wasn't.

Alexis. I miss her so much. It isn't until I sat down in the pew that I realize I had left her. I bury my face in my hands. God, I'm so selfish! How could I do that to her? My parents will probably kill Alexis when they find out I escaped. I can't do this to her. I must go and get her back. I have to.

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"Hi." I hear someone say. When I turn around, I see a woman with brown hair holding a red purse and smiling at me. "I'm sorry to send you out so quickly, but I'm about to lock the doors. I can give you more time to pray if you-"

"No," I say, standing, "I'm just sitting. I'm sorry for getting in your way if I did."

"You're fine, sweetie." She squints at my face like she was trying to read my mind. "I don't think I've seen you around. Did you just move here?"

"No, I'm just visiting here for a few days and then I'm gone. My car ran out of gas a few streets back." I answer, avoiding her eyes.

"Where are you staying?" The woman asks, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Um," I stutter, still not looking at her, "no where."

"No where?" She raises an eyebrow. 

"Yeah. I, um, may or may not have run away from home." I mumble, fiddling with the end of my black shirt.

"Why?" She says softly.

I shake my head, fighting tears that are threatening the backs of my eyes. "It's complicated. You wouldn't want to hear it." I tug the ends of my sleeves down over my hands and sigh.

"Okay then. Maybe another time." She gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. "I haven't even introduced myself. Silly me! My name is Eliza Brian," She says, shaking my hand excitedly. "I'm the Sunday school coordinator here at the church. And you are?"

"Um," I say, awkward grabbing her hand, "Grace. Grace Miller."

Eliza smiles sweetly. "Nice to meet you, Grace. So, are you planning to stay the night at a hotel, or...?"

"I only have a few bucks with me. I can't afford a room or anything." I shrug, swallowing.

"Well then, I guess you'll be staying with me." She turns around and heads out the door.

"Wait, what?" I call after her, starting to follow. "Stay with you?"

She turns and looks at me. "I don't have a disease, Grace, and I most certainly do not bite. So yes, you will be staying with me and my family in my home."

"But, I just met you, like, two minutes ago," I say as she locks the church up. "I could be a murderer and you wouldn't even know."

She chuckles lightly. "Then I guess I'll have to wait and find out, won't I?"

I walk with her to her white SUV and climb in the passenger's side. Once Eliza is buckled in, she starts driving calmly.

Glancing over at my clothes, she says, "Not to offend you, sweetheart, but you're absolutely filthy."

I suppress a smile, looking at my dirty state. "Yeah. I really am."

A/N:: This book will have short chapters at the beginning because the plans are so short for each chapter. But once I get into it, they'll be more lengthy. 

Mack  ♥