His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

~13~

  Everything inside me felt numb as I laid tucked away under the covers, darkness inching out of the shadows. Draping my room in its velvety texture as it did every night. When I began to find a place of serenity in the silence that spread throughout my home my parents' voices grew nearer. My door was closed but I could hear every word shared.

"Honey please calm down."

"Calm down? You just told me she has bruising around her neck, like she had been strangled." Although I couldn't see him, I knew his teeth were clenched. "You found her in the middle of her bedroom crying uncontrollably! How am I supposed to remain calm?" My dad was never good at hiding his emotions, his confusion and anger over the situation was clear. After everything I have been through in my life, he felt the need to protect me from all the ugliness that existed in the world.

"I don't know but barging in there demanding answers isn't going to help anyone. I don't even know what happened she won't talk to me, she has refused to eat or drink anything all day. I finally got her to take some of her meds a few hours ago but they have only eased the crying. Our daughter is hurting and for the first time in my life I don't know how to help her."

The door to my room creaked open, the light from the hall pouring in. My dad poked his head in, "Hey kiddo can we talk?" I simply nodded allowing him access. He strolled over and sat on the bed beside me pulling me into his lap. "I don't know what happened, but I want you to know you can talk to me, to us."

My cheeks were stained with the tears I had cried hours before. "D-dad," I buried my face into him as my chest tightened. The words shaking as they rolled off my tongue.

"I'm right here sweetie, I always will be." He smoothed my hair before pulling me up so he could examine the bruising that had formed. When he finished, he cradled my face in the palm of his hands, pleading for me to open my eyes. "Talk to us. Please."

My eyes opened, a single tear making its great escape. "Why can't anyone love me?" My voice cracked.

My mom had been standing in the doorway and her body tensed at the statement, knowing exactly what it was in reference to.

"You are loved honey; your mother and I love you and so does Becca."

"I know, b-but not even my real dad wanted me." My heart felt as if it was turning to dust, my biggest fear was being abandoned and Isaac knew that better than anyone. "Why doesn't he want me?"

"Your father was a coward and couldn't provide you and your mother with the love you both deserve. I know I'm not him, but I promise to never leave you. Either of you."

My jaw quivered, the sudden sensation of thorns in my throat as it flexed. "Not him, Isaac."

"Isaac?" His eyes widened, stunned by the mention of his name. "What do you mean Isaac? Did he do this to you?"

"It wasn't his fault, it was mine." My chest shook as violent breaths found their way in and out of my lungs, the tears once again streaming from my burning eyes.

"I'm going to kill him," he gently set me to the side as he stood.

"Woah, hold on," my mom pleaded as she placed her hands on his chest, keeping him from doing anything rash.

"Hold on? The son of a bitch choked our daughter."

"Making a scene isn't going to help anything, and it most certainly isn't going to help Em." My mom held Gabriel's hand and led him back to my side. "Honey, you need to talk to us, or we can't help you."