Last Hurrah

Olivia Wilick

I wake up to screaming again. David is yelling at Sarah, something about his eggs being too runny.

This is not an unusual way to be woken up. I sit up and take a moment to thank God I didn't wake up screaming or crying again. If David heard me he would've barged downstairs and greeted my face with his palm. I'm grateful it's Monday, that means I get to eat a hot breakfast instead of... It's the first Monday. Shit. Shit. Shit. I hear him thumping down the stairs and I try to stand up as fast as I can but my legs get tangled in the blanket and I fall to my stomach and he makes it to me before I can get to my feet. "I'm getting up!" I shout in a panic.

"You should've been up already Ella." His voice is angry.

"It's Olivia." I snap back and I bite down on my tongue right away. Shit. He grabs a handful of my hair from right above my neck like he's grabbing a puppy by the scruff, with the same ease he yanks me to my feet and I squeeze my eyes tight to avoid letting tears roll down my face. I don't need to reward his behaviour. He continued to drag me up both flights of stairs, I tried desperately to keep up with him but my feet couldn't catch up and my body scraped along the carpeted steps until he finally releases me from his grasp and I stumble onto the kitchen floor.

Sarah is standing by the sink and turns away at the sound of my body hitting the floor and a small crack from my elbow, I swallow my scream but can't help release a whimper as boiling hot pain runs up my arm.

It's not broken. It's not broken. Just breathe. Don't cry. It's not broken.

"Children's Aid will be here at 8:30. Get her washed up and..." He looks me up and down as I stand myself up. "Presentable."

Sarah nods wraps her arm around my shoulders and leads me to the bathroom. David heads down the first flight of stairs and out the front door. I assume going for a smoke before heading downstairs.

Sarah pulls out a large cosmetic bag from underneath the sink and places each item in a straight line on the marbled counter. Hairdryer, black hairbrush, green toothbrush, toothpaste, purple hair tie, pearl earrings, a necklace with a masque pendant, silver ring with a pink pearl, nail polish, neutral eyeshadow palette, lip gloss and a concealer pallet. I could list everything in that bag without looking.

I get undressed while the tub fills, I hand my pajamas to Sarah, step into the tub and slide down, letting the warmth overcome my body; I wince when I put too much pressure on my left elbow.

"Is it sprained?" Sarah's voice is so unlike her husbands, it's soft and full of concern and care, it's the voice of a mother whereas David's is full of anger and cruelty. Even during day to day conversation it always has an edge, reminding us he still carries a sword.

"I don't think so." I reply and she takes hold of my upper arm, supporting my elbow, she slowly moves it, examining and pressing slightly around the bones. I let out a whimper and she places it gently back down in the water then leans to turn off the tap to stop the flowing warmth.

"I'm sorry Olivia; on a good note I don't think it's sprained, unfortunately, I'm going to have to put makeup on it." I look down at the bruise that's forming across my arm. I don't say anything to this and she stays knelt next to the tub while I lower myself further into the water until my head is fully submerged, I close my eyes and pretend I'm in the Aegean Sea in Santorini. I'm surrounded by old houses and colours, the water is cool against my lips, I can hear boats in the distances and I feel the silk of the bathing suit against my skin.

I'm torn away by a shout and then a familiar fist gripped around my hair and am yanked up.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!?"

"David stop! She's already bruised!" Sarah's small voice is louder now, I see her bite her tongue the way I did this morning. He lets go of my hair and I wrap my arms around my knees covering my naked body.

"What" his voice is barely a whisper "did you" he runs his hand slowly up to Sarah's face "just say to me?" I cover my ears with the palms of my hands and squeeze my eyes shut.

I want to scream. Scream until I can no longer breathe. Until my vocal cords no longer support me. I want to scream until it's over. Until it's quiet. Scream until someone saves me. Until someone saves us.