Help Us

Chapter One

Crack! Sounds of plates shattering against the walls and floors. It seemed as if each new cracked item grew louder. Thud! A loud sound of heavy weight being thrown around. Kimberly could take it no longer.

Get out! Get out! Get out now! Mrs. James, Kimberly's mom, shouted.

After all I've done for you? Mr. James snickered with his drunken voice.

Kimberly sneaked quietly out of her room and halfway down the stairs, peeping through the staircase openings. She watched as her mom and dad argued like they normally do when he comes home drunk.

All you've done for us?! All you've done lately is come home drunk! Not even trying to hide the hard liquor on your breath! And you cheat!

I ain't cheat! What the hell you talking about?

Don't lie, Mike. I've seen your texts.

Don't be so delusional. Mike went to wrap his arms around his wife, but she pulls back.

Pack your stuff. I want you out tonight. She looked down, unable to make herself look at her own husband.

Baby, don't be like that. He reached for her once again. This time, she backed up more and raised her finger in his face.

Don't you touch me! You're a filthy liar, cheater and drunk!

Furious, Mike quickly grabbed her arm. What did I tell you about raising your voice at me, Rach.

I'm sorry, Rachel whimpered, looking down at the ground.

Now, he yanked Rachel's face to look at him, you look at me when I'm talking to you! You understand?!

Rachel nodded her head and whimpered. Yes, yes, I understand.

Good, he looked into Rachel's eyes. Now give me some love.

Rachel looked away, crying softly. Kimberly watched intently, seeing what would happen next.

Did you hear me, girl? He then put his hands around Rachel's neck and started choking her. I won't ask again!

Unable to speak, Rachel gasped for air and tried prying his grip loose. Kimberly watched, unable to move due to shock, as her mom started loosing color. As reality began to set in, she knew she had to act quick. Kimberly quickly, but quietly made her way downstairs and looked for something to hit her dad with. All she could find quickly was a big book that had been left on the dining table by her mom. She quickly picked up the seven-hundred page book and wacked him upside his head. Wham!

Mike began to stumble and let go of Rachel's throat. What the, he turned around and saw a panicked and frightened Kimberly. Come here, Kim. He reached for Kimberly. Kimberly quickly turned around and ran upstairs.

Fumbling around, Mike turned and tried to quickly make his way upstairs behind Kimberly. Kimberly made her way into her room and slammed the door shut. Just as she was about to lock the door, she remembered the lock had been taken off by her father just days before. Trying to quickly think of a way to keep him out, she turned to notice that she could possibly use her dresser. As she was dragging the dresser to the door, the doorknob began to twist.

Kimberly bolted to the door and tried to hold the door closed, but it was no use. Her dad was a lot stronger than her. He jolted the door open and pinned Kimberly on her bed before her mind could even comprehend what had just happened.

Why'd you hit daddy in the head, Kim? He placed all his weight on top of her and drunkenly moved his finger through her hair and on her face. Creeped out and unable to move, Kimberly cried. Her dad had never done this to her before and she feared of being raped and killed by her own father.

I've never realized how beautiful you really looked. He stared into her eyes.

No, dad. No. Please don't. She begged him, sensing what was about to happen. I'm your daughter. Please don't do this. She cried.

Mike began fondling with the buttons on her shirt, but was interrupted by a loud thud in Kimberly's doorway. He looked up to see Rachel standing there.

Mike, what are you doing?! Rachel yelled, still muffled from being choked.

What does it look like, Rach? He let go of Kimberly and walked to Rachel. Kimberly quickly slid off her bed, the opposite way, and hid under it.

You can do whatever you want with me, but don't you dare touch Kimberly.

He stood there, staring at Rachel, as if he was wondering how to respond to such a statement. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, he finally answered. Okay. Looking around the room, he noticed Kimberly's jump-rope and took it. Mike then grabbed Rachel's hand and left out the room. After a few minutes passed, Kimberly could hear her mom moaning in pain from her room. Determined, Kimberly felt her pockets to dial 9-1-1, but couldn't find her phone. It then occurred to her that it possibly could've fell out her pocket when she was downstairs.

Slowly, Kimberly made her way to the door and began to turn the doorknob, but something was preventing her from opening the door. She tried harder and harder, but she could only get half an inch and then it would slam shut again. She tried once more and looked down at the knob. Kimberly realized that her dad had tied her doorknob to the staircase railing. There was no way she would be able to help her mom now. Unless, she thought. She looked at her window and began to wonder.

Kimberly had never went out her window before, let alone open it. She hated the outdoors because of bugs and refused to let her room breathe. But this seemed to be her only way of escaping and helping her mom. She tried opening the window, but it was stuck. She tried to use any item around her room to help budge it open, but it was of no use.

Feeling hopeless and weak, Kimberly sunk into her bed sheets, trying to block out her mom's growing cries of pain. Crying softly, Kimberly eventually fell asleep. Not wanting to wake again. She didn't know what tomorrow held for her, but she wanted out. She wanted to be free.