Interrupted Heart

30 | GHOSTS - RICHARD : PART 2

I laid quietly pretending to be asleep as I heard heavy feet attempting to be discreet trotting on the hard wood floor.

The last time I'd pretended to be asleep, he had left me alone and I was hoping that he's do the same tonight. My whole body was still sore from the last time, significantly more since he did something different.

There was a large, purple bruise where he repeatedly punched my side. I recall him applying enough pressure to hurt and mark me making sure that he avoided any bones. He told me that if I told anyone, he'd make sure to break each rib one at a time. It was a new threat each time he found himself in my room at night or whenever he'd been granted the opportunity.

It started off as a monthly thing but now it was more frequent that I'd lost count. Anyone would have lost count if it had been happening to them for years. 4 to be exact. I could easily tell Gina but I wasn't convinced that she could save us from this.

Being in her house was only a temporary fix in a messed up life. Being a caring person, she knew something wasn't right but she never pushed me to reveal anything. Like people didn't like bringing their work home, I refused to bring negativity to my zen space.

My body tensed up as he slowly tugged on my heavy duvet. I'd purposely tucked it around myself like a turtle getting snug in its shell. The way that he continued to look at me throughout the day, I awaited the moment he would ruin my night again.

The evening was supposed to be a time of rest. It was the opposite for me. I felt the most vulnerable when I was meant to be at peace.

As his strong fingers found the edge, angry tears stung my eyes. Although I was 16, trying to fight this huge man would be the death of me. The first time I'd tried it was by far the worst interaction that I'd had with him. It's not about age or strength. He had the ability to make me feel like a 12 year old all over again.

When it first started happening, Tyson had caught him and did his best to defend me. Although he was a skinny, 14 year old, he was still my hero. He himself didn't leave the scene scratch free. It was the first time anyone had ever put their hands on him and it sure wasn't the last.

After that incident, I told Tyson that it wasn't happening anymore however that didn't stop Richard continuing to put his hands on him. The bruises that my brother had received after that time was due to their hostile relationship. Tyson didn't even have to do anything and the next minute he would have blood dripping from his nose. When we were with each other, smiles were always on our faces. We never let on to how hurt we were or the real emotions that we'd pushed deep inside. Tyson's mental health was deteriorating before my eyes and I blamed myself. I promised God that although I was the younger sibling, when given the opportunity I would show my brother how much I appreciated him.

My eyes shot wide open when I felt his skin come in contact with mine. I sat up just as he brought the rest of his body down on mine. He placed his index finger on his lips in a shushing motion before leaning to me, his lips then trailed across my cheek. He'd gone to the gym earlier on in the evening and I could still smell the sweat that had dried on his body. He wasn't blessed with not having a bad odour.

I was far from his woman or someone that he wanted to impress. I was his little sex toy which he had complete control over and could do whatever he pleased.

I'd never been anyone's woman because I was used goods. If a boy, other than Tyson or Ace, tried to touch me I'd automatically move away or flinch. All that I could do was fantasise about being held, touched and treated like I mattered by someone who chose to love me and not because they had to. The one person that came to mind every time was Ace but that was stupid. He is everything and I'm nothing. He's there for me just like my brother so it's evident that I was like a sister to him. I didn't mind. Just as long as he stayed in my life.