Defining Cooper

Freedom Calling

Freedom Calling

COOPER

"Please! Please don't!" I begged as my Uncle came closer to me.

"Shut up you filthy tramp! You deserve what you've brought upon yourself!" I then felt a sharp pain across my face, the after shock throwing me to the floor. I laid there shivering in pain. "Get up!" He yelled. I stayed still. Grabbing me by the hair, he yelled, "I said get up!" His smokey, alcoholic breath filled my nose, causing my it to burn. I stood up, weak ankled and was immediately thrown back down on the floor. Before I could move I felt a foot connect with my side. I tried my best not to scream out in pain but I lost. "Stop your screaming! You'll only make matters worse!" He yelled. "Now get in your bed and say nothing of this to anyone. And don't even think about sneaking out again!"

I nodded and he left my room and I heard the door lock. Stuck in here again, I laid down on my bed. My body aching all over. A couple days after my parents left for that wedding, we got a call from the state police saying their plane disappeared. They lost all life lines to the coordinates of the plane. And I was to be put in custody of my aunt and uncle. Two years later at the age of six, my aunt dies of cancer. Leaving Uncle Jay in deep turmoil, he turned to alcoholism and he took out his rage on me. How can someone be so angry? Why is he taking it out on me? I tell myself it's not my fault. That someday this will end and I'll be happy. But it hasn't seemed to happen yet.

I look out my window and watch the stars. They keep me going, keep me from letting myself go. They let me know that there is someone out there, that I'm not alone in this. Before I go to bed I say a prayer, that that God will take me away from this life of cruelty and brutality. That he'll give me someone who will love me. That he'll give me someone to love. Someone to love.

LIAM

"Are we done?" She asked in a small voice.

"Hhh, yeah. Yes. I think we are." I hated fighting with Laura, but lately it seems that's all we do.

"What's wrong with us? It's seems that's all we ever do anymore is fight." She said.

"I'm sorry babe, Laura, I just..." I paused and sighed, " I think we need a break."

"What?"

"I agree, we argue too much...I think we need a break." There was a long pause and I finally grabbed her wrist and brought her close in my arms. "I'm sorry."

"No Liam, it's okay. I just wish it was easier."

"Me too." She gave me one last squeeze then decided to let go.

"I'd better go. Uhm, this is stupid, but, uh...still friends?" She asked.

"Of course." I spoke.

"Good, goodbye Liam."

"Goodbye, Laura." With that said, she was gone.

After six whole months of dating, it's ended. I did love Laura, but in a friend way. I felt things would get to complicated if we carried on any longer the way we did.

The feelings I had over this were different than I had expected. I wasn't upset, in fact I felt kind of, free.

COOPER

I woke up laying in my bed. My head was throbbing and m pillow was wet. I sat up and looked at a pool of drying blood. I must have gotten a bloody nose.

I got out of bed and walked into my bathroom to clean myself up, when I stomach growled. I haven't eaten since Wednesday morning. It's Friday. I walked to my door and tried to open it, unlocked...

I crept around the house feeling like a spy on a mission. Both in danger and both with the mind set of determination. I walked into the kitchen and heard slow, deep, breathing. Uncle Jay was sleeping at the table. He must have drunk himself to sleep last night.

I looked around and found an apple sitting on the counter. I slowly and quietly walked over to it. Trying my best not to make any noise that might wake Uncle Jay. Grabbing a knife out of a drawer caused my uncle to stir. My heart nearly stopped, but thankfully he settled back down and continued sleeping.

Carefully cutting the apple, I sliced a piece off for me to eat. It tasted a tad bit old, but who am I to judge when I haven't had food for two days. I continued cutting the apple and my cutting speed increased. The first bite made me even hungrier than I had been when I woke up. Suddenly the knife slipped out of my hand and hit the floor. The sound wasn't very loud, but it was loud enough to wake him up.

He jumped out of his chair and searched for the sound. He froze and his eyes landed on me. "Think you can steal from me eh?" My heart stopped. "I'll teach ya to steal!" He back-handed me, causing me to fall to the floor. I felt yet another kick in my side and was surprised I didn't hear a crack. He picked me up and a fist collided with my left eye. I fell again to the floor, screaming. A hand came to my throat and squeezed. I squirmed, trying to get out of his grasp.

My lungs burned for air, I needed to be free. Then, what's left of my blurring vision, I spot the knife I had dropped. With and strength I had left I slowly eased my hand to it. My fingers coiled around it. While screaming I stuck the knife in his side, causing him to yell out in shear pain, letting go of my throat. I gasped for air, as he fell to the floor beside me. I crawled away and pulled myself up with a chair. Looking boer to my now passed out uncle I turned away, tears burning my eyes, and ran down the hallway to my bedroom. I sat on my bed. My head aching from lack of sleep. I never meant to hurt him. He was trying to hurt me, and it was all I could do to save myself. I had to get away. Away from that prison I called home. I thought if I run now, I could have time to get away from him. I have enough money saved up, I could make it. But what would he do if he found me again?No, I have to do this. I can not spend the rest of my life slaving away to this man I so call 'Uncle'. I have to get away from here.

I grabbed my back pack and started filling it with things I would need. Including my picture of my parents I kept under my pillow. I packed some clothes and my journal. Finally, when I had enough things, I grabbed my bag and ran to the front door. Taking one last glance towards the kitchen I turned away and opened the door, running out and away. I didn't know where I was going, or where I would end up. I didn't have anywhere else to go, and no family or friends to turn to, but something struck me amazing. For the first time since living with my Uncle, I felt free.