A Thousand Lies

Chapter 35

Chapter name: bloody pain

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Temperance

Nervously, I drop my backpack on the mattress I sleep on and then make my way into the living room.

In desolation, I process his harsh words.

I will be going somewhere else for my school. My current school is too far from here for me to continue attending.

"I have to go somewhere else? I like the school I go to now." I don't like the school per say, I only like the friends I have.

Austin turns towards me, wrapping his fingers around my wrist. I bite my tongue as his fingers press into my cuts.

"S-stop that hurts!" I desperately try to pry his hand off of mine.

I feel a rip in my arms, signaling that my cuts have ripped open. I watch in horror as blood seeps through my sleeves.

My sleeves aren't thick enough to hold the blood, causing the warm liquid to smudge onto Austin's calloused hand.

He lets go of my wrist in disgust and brings his hand with my blood on it to my face. He yanks his hand away from me, studying the liquid on his palm. He glances at me, extending his hand towards me. I flinch, ready for impact before I realize his hand only wiped my blood onto my cheek.

"You're going to a school with Chris and Kenli." Vicki's voice startles me. I didn't know she was in the room.

I hold my injured arm, trying to stop the blood from seeping out as I shake my head no.

"I've gone to MY school my whole life. I don't have to go to the school you want me to go to." I furrow my brows, anger flooding my veins.

How do they have a right to do that? They can't just take me away from a school I have always gone to. The location we live in is still in the range for me to continue to go.

"You'll do what I fucking say." Austin slaps me across my face.

As his hand makes contact with my skin an instant sting takes over, bringing tears to my eyes.

I place my hand on my red cheek where he had just harmed me. Blood in the shape of my hand stains my burning face.

"Next time maybe you'll learn. Maybe your father had the right idea of beating you half to death and selling you out for prostitution." Austin's heartless words send fear to my nerves, causing me to tremble.

Is he going to do that too?

Is he going to beat me every day? Sometimes with the intentions of killing me?

Is he going to sell me out to creeps?

Silence takes over my being as Austin walks away, the clinking of his shoes fading out.

I look at the blood that covers my sleeve, realizing that there is no way to fix the color.

I bite my tongue in frustration and close my hands making crescent moons in my palm. I look up at Vicki, and she snarls in disgust.