8:42pm
"Let's go to this house momma!" A little girl in a Cinderella costume skips to the house beside ours.
Skips...reminds me of Mark.
It's Halloween.
Happy children litter our neighborhood as they ring doorbells and collect cavities.
I've never gone trick or treating. Has Mark ever gone?
I wonder where he has gone? I hope he's at least okay.
He probably got tired of me and left town. I'd do the same.
The doorbell rings.
"Jackson! Get the door!" My aunt yells from the back of the house.
I grab the bowl of candy resting on the dinner table and head to the door.
I open the door to great the little kids with the nicest smile I can muster.
"Trick or treat!" They hold up their bags and smile at me happily.
My ribs ache in pain as I bend to put a handful of candies into their bags.
"Woah! Thank you sir!" They laugh as they run away.
I shut the door gently.
"Turn off the lights." My aunt orders me. She fixes her diamond earring.
A tight-fitting red dress hugs my aunt's curved body. Her hair is done in a updo and her face is lightly painted with makeup.
My aunt's boyfriend emerges from the back of the house. A black suit hugs his large, fit arms. His black hair is combed back and his tattoos are covered with foundation.
"We're going out." My aunt informs me of the obvious. "Don't open that door, don't go outside. Don't do anything. Do you hear me, Jackson?"
I nod my head.
"Words boy." My aunt's boyfriend growls.
"Yes." My voice is hushed yet audible.
"Good. Let's go babe." They leave the house and lock the door. The security system turns on as they enter their car.
Alone. Once again.
My slippers slap against the floor as I walk weakly to my room.
My aunt and her boyfriend have been beating me non-stop.
Once I woke up, they forced hot water down my throat. They even held a knife to my throat, threatening to kill me if I didn't respond to them with words.
Now, I have to speak to the nastiest people I've ever met. I would let them end my miserable life but...that would hurt Mark.
Mark would never threaten me to speak.
He always told me to take my time.
I bring my bruised legs to my chest and hug them.
The laughter outside, the quietness of the house, the thumping of my sad heart.
So many noises.
So many sounds.
So many things...
Tears cascade down my face.
I cry into my knees. My bruised body shaking from the force of my weeps.
This pain...there was a short time when it went away.
That was when I was with Mark.
Please Mark.
Come back.
Please.
