Waves

Waves: Chapter 7

I woke up. It was dark. I could see stars. I shook my head. 'Yup I'm outside' I looked around where I was. I was at a small shack, that looked like it was in the middle of nowhere. I tried sitting up, but felt pain all over. I tried to steady my breathing as a figure ran over.

"Aleah?" I managed to get out. She put her finger to my lips. In her hand was a washcloth.

"Shh, talking will make it worse" I gave her a confused look.

"Make what wor-ahh" I clenched my fists as she placed the cloth on the side of my face. She pulled the cloth away.

"That" she said with a smug look on her face. I rolled my eyes. She then proceeded to place the cloth on my chest. My breath hitched as the pain swelled through my body.

"Ow" she looked at me with a sympathetic look.

"My father gotchu good didn't he" she said barely above a whisper. I looked at her, shocked.

"Th-that was your father?" Her hand went to her side. She looked down and slowly nodded.

"He beats me and my little brother on a daily basis, cause he can't do it to my mom. That's why I reacted the way I did when you got angry" she stopped.

"Because-you were afraid...that I would hit you" I looked up at her. She nodded. Her hands flew to her face as she started crying. I tried to sit up and faced her. I pulled her into a hug and tightly wrapped my arms around her.

"I'm sorry" I whispered into her ear. I felt her tears drip onto my bare skin.

"I would never hurt you" I put my hands on her shoulders and pulled her back. I looked into her eyes and gently kissed her forehead. I pulled her back into a hug and sighed. I heard small snores and looked down at the small girl in my arms. 'She's asleep' I gently laid back on the hammock and pulled her up with me. I grabbed the blanket at my feet and pulled it over us. Her head was on my chest and her legs were tangled with mine. I took a deep breath, watching as her head rose and fell in sync with my breathing. The feeling in my stomach, that I had felt earlier that day, now returning.

"Why do I feel this way towards you?" I asked her, even though I knew she was sleeping. I looked up, watching the stars.

"Cause I can't explain it"