BEING HALSEY

CHAPTER 22

        Continuation of Chapter 20

It's late and dark. The streets aren't deserted. A bus drives past me leaving an oily smell behind. I watch as pedestrians walk fast, their faces buried in collars and scarves.

It's cold. Really cold.

I look up. The sky is empty. No stars, no moon... just dark.I walk down the underground stairs and sit on one of the hard benches, crying my eyes out.

I want to go. To just leave and never come back.

I watch as people board the train. I squeeze my coat tighter around my chest and smooth back my hair. My tears have dried now and my eyes are blood red. I sigh and grab my backpack heading to the other side.

I know I shouldn't be walking at this time of the hour in some weird place but I'm not thinking straight. My mind is blank. Everything is black.

I place my palm over my stomach to quiet down my rumbling stomach when I spot a drunk man eyeing me.

"Come here," he slurs. "Damn you look so good." His dirty blond hair falls over his hairy face as he rubs his fingers on his beard.

I take off in a sprint, but to my surprise, he's faster than I expected. He grabs my arm and yanks me to a halt.

"Let me go!" I scream and slap his roaming hands away from my body. I turn around and run as quickly as possible.

He's behind me. I start calling out for help but no one seems to hear. The man grabs my arm and yanks me back to his chest. He's covering my mouth. I bite his fingers but he doesn't let go.

"Let me go... please...." I cry.

He encircles his arms around me. I'm struggling to get loose but we're going back to forth, swaying like a pair of awkward dancers.

"HELP!!!" I scream. "HELP ME!!!."

The man knocks me down and falls on me like an enraged beast. All this time I'm crying out for help and praying to God. He tears off my blouse exposing my skin. I start kicking him with my legs but he slaps me hard on my cheek.

He's about to rip open my trousers when someone hits him hard on the head. The man falls flat on my chest, blood oozing out of his head. My face is in horror. I think I'm in a movie or something, this scene is just too familiar.

I look up and see Tray. He's angry, so angry his veins are poking out of his neck. He's face is red. He helps me up, takes off his T-shirt and offers it to me.

I wear it silently.

Then he grabs my hand, "Let's go."

                       *******

We walked. All the way to his cousin's house. And all this time he didn't let go of my hand. My hand is sweaty from all that contact. He flicks the light switch on and leads me in. We walk to the kitchen, my hand in his and sit on the kitchen stools. Finally, he let's go and pours me a glass of cold water.

I drink it slowly.

" What were you thinking?" He asks.

" Tray, why did you bring me here? I want to go home."

"You haven't answered my question."

I place the glass on the counter and stand.

" Please just take me home."

" No. I won't." He slams the counter and the glass nearly drops.

"You're not going home. You're staying here. In this house. With me."

It's pointless to argue with Tray right now and he's right, I can't go home now looking like this. I was nearly raped a few minutes ago.

He grabs my hand again and drags me back to the living room. He let's go and quickly walks to his room. He comes back with a blue duvet and a white pillow.

" I'll sleep here. You can sleep in my room."

He sets his pillow and lays on the couch, eyes closed. I'm just staring at him. He's still shirt less despite the cold weather. He doesn't care. I walk towards his room and search through his closet for a hoodie or a sweater. I spot a black T-shirt on the floor. I walk back and throw it on his face.

"Goodnight."

I walk swiftly back to his room and plop down on the bed. It's already two O'Clock in the morning. I rest my head against the smooth wall and close my eyes.

I CURSE THIS DAY!

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹