A Helping Hand [GirlxGirl]

CH 1

Jess's POV

Jess climbs into her Civic. Her parent's monthly dinners always leave her down. 'Why can't they leave me be?' She pulls her shoulder length auburn hair into a messy bun and starts the car. The only highlight of the night is the home-cooked meal. Jess pulls the visor down and catches her reflection. Jess doesn't remotely resemble Jessica Rikards, the self-made millionaire. She looks like little Jessie who still seeks her parents approval. Jess wipes the silent tears leaking from her coffee brown eyes and pulls out of her parent's driveway. "Nothing a cold beer or 2 can't cure.' Jess stops at a grocery store to pick up beer and ice cream. Even though its nighttime, she slips sunglasses on her face. The last she wants is to be recognized. In all honesty, she'd be hard to recognize. Jess had on faded denim jeans tucked into black Doc Martens with a black v-neck. Jess would be anonymous regardless of her height or trademark auburn hair. Jess plucks a hand basket from the front of the store. She looks at the aisle markers. 'First stop: beer.' Luckily, the beer and ice cream aisles are near each other. Unfortunately, they're in the back of the store. Jess makes her way to the back. She picks up a 6 pack of Newcastle and a gallon of butter pecan ice cream. As Jess closes the freezer door, Jess locks eyes with a little blond boy. He's chewing on his lip furiously. 'Little one must be nervous. I wonder why?' Jess closes the freezer door places the ice cream in the basket. She starts to walk towards the register when she hears footsteps behind her. The boy is running behind her. Jess swiftly turns and addresses him.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. My mommy needs help. Follow me!" The boy urgently beckons Jess to follow. Jess looks about her unsure if the boy is serious. The boy reaches behind and weaves his hand with Jess's tugging her out of the grocery store. Jess leaves behind her basket on an empty conveyor belt. The boy leads Jess to a black Porsche Cayenne parked the furthest away from the entrances.

"Who's that?" A voice fearfully calls out. "Damien? Is that you?"

"Yes, Mama. I brought help. An adult." Damien stops beside the rear door. In the back sits a woman with shockingly white blond hair that hangs behind her. She's wearing a sweatsuit. Her face is shrouded in darkness but her light gray eyes pierce the darkness. Her eyes look fearful and dart around frequently taking in her surroundings.

"Are you alright, ma'am? Damien said you needed help?" Jess cautiously asks. Damien tugs Jess closer. He releases Jess's hand to climb into the car beside his mother. The woman embraces Damien and nuzzles his head. She whispers softly to him and exits the car. Jess notices that the woman is staggering and limping.The woman takes a near fall towards the front of the car. Jess meets her and wraps an arm around her to steady her. Under the parking lot streetlight, Jess could see the woman's face clearly. 'She's stunning.' was Jess's first thought. The woman has beautiful high cheekbones, a cute nose, and beautiful full lips. 'My God! She's covered in bruises.' Bruises cover her face and upper chest.

"What happened to you?!!" Jess harshly whispers.

"HE found me." The woman says before she collapses in Jess's arms.

Judith's POV

2 hours earlier

"I told you I would find you wherever you go! Stupid Bitch!" Keith pounds on my apartment door. Apparently the restraining order has no effect on him. I grab Damien and I's prepacked duffle bags. I toss them off the back deck and ready the rope ladder. Damien's little hand is trembling in mine.

"It's OK, sweetie. You go first and unlock the car. I'll be right behind you." I try to smile reassuringly but it's probably closer to a grimace. I lift Damien over the deck and make sure he's properly on the ladder. Before he goes, I give him a kiss. It could be the last time I kiss my son. I hear my front door being kicked open and see my ex-husband Keith in the doorway.

I hold my hands out to him in a placating way. "Keith, please leave us be. I've already called the cops. They're on the way." I try to reason with him.

Keith laughs coldly. "I AM the cops, bitch." His sick smile stretches across his face.

"This isn't your jurisdicti-" Keith slaps my face. The blow brings me to my knees. Keith knees my face and straddles my hips. He begins to rain punches on my face and chest. I bring my arms up to shield some blows. Beneath him, I'm writhing and wiggling. 'This can't be it. I divorced him so this wouldn't happen. Why ME? No. I can't let this demon raise Damien. I've got to do something.' I pull a floor lamp that is near. I yank it and it hits the back of Keith's head. He slumps over falls off of me. I wait a couple of heartbeats and struggle to sit up. My balance is horrible; I tumble to the rope ladder. My vision is swimming and I'm having trouble getting down. All of a sudden, I miss a step and go down hard on my back. I whimper as I get to my feet and limp towards my Cayenne.

"Mama!" Damien yells. He gets out the car and hugs me. I allow myself the comfort for a minute but I know Keith could get up at anytime.

"I'm fine, baby. Get up front and strap in. We're leaving." I power through the pain. I think pain is all I can feel right now. We rip out the parking lot like a bat out of hell. I know adrenaline and fear are what's keeping me awake but I'll run out soon. I pull into a quiet grocery store parking lot. I can barely stay conscious. 

I turn to Damien. "Listen, baby. Mama needs help. Find an adult, OK?" Damien chews his lip and gives me a quick nod. I give one last kiss before he exits the car. The last thing I see is my son's back before I pass out.

I'm startled awake by an unrecognizable sound. 'How long was I out?' I'm not going to be able to drive anymore tonight. I climb into the back and sit up straight. I'm taking inventory of my battle scars when I hear footsteps near by.

"Who's that? Damien? Is that you?" I hate the weakness in my voice. I spot my son bringing a tall figure towards me. 'I should have told him to bring a woman.' I clench the door until I notice the stranger is a woman. A very tall woman. 'She looks intimidating. Dressed in all black with sunglasses at night.' Damien opens the door. He sits beside me.

"Thanks, honey. You did good." I give him a kiss on the head. I hate that I'm so weak. I wish I could save us both but I need help. I look over at the stranger. She's saying something but I can't concentrate. I climb out the car and make my way towards her. Walking is so difficult. 'My fall must have been worst than I thought.' I misstep and nearly fall. I hold on to the front of the car for dear life. I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist. I would give her a grateful smile but I can't manage it.

"What happened to you?!!" I feel the darkness creep on me again.

"HE found me." I'm glad I got that out before the darkness absorbed me.