His Shortcake

Chapter 21

Tamara Ramirez

I couldn't look at him in the eyes. I feel the familiar shame crawl up my body, making me curl up on the corner of the room. It doesn't help that its completely dark out and the only light we both rely on was the one coming from the living room. I hugged my knees closer, tighter. Shielding myself from the bad memories that seemed to haunt me every time it rains.

I hate the rain. I hate that it reminds me of being stuck in that forsaken place. I hate that whenever I hear the thunder roar, I shiver in fear. I hate that every drop of the rain reminds me of the long days and weeks I had to endure. I hate that the smell it emits after it rains makes me want to vomit as it reminds me of the smell of the room when he.. when he did that.

"Shortcake." I hear him call me. Dy's voice isn't moving away from me. It was closer than I imagined. He didn't run when I woke up shouting from my nightmares. He didn't leave. He's still here.

"Baby girl. Calm down." Alec. My poor brother who had to endure sleepless nights and long talks just to help me get better. He would drive from his university and back home whenever it was too much for me. Whenever I thought of finally ending the suffering that seemed to plague me day and night. He endured everything so I can somehow be normal again.

He endured sleepless nights for the first month I was finally home from the hospital. It was bad back then. His voice. His touches. It plagues my mind like a disease. It felt like I was reliving it. I could even hear the sound of his boots, heavy and loud. I could see him staring down at me with a satisfied smile as he watched me shake in fear of him. His huge body towering over my cowering one. The laugh he makes whenever he lands a strike at me. It was terrible.

Beautiful. He called me that every time he would come in the room. Every time he would say it, it felt like he was mocking me. Every time he referred to me in with that word, my skin crawls. Disgusted to the bone. I hate that word. I hate it when I think back to what it was like being called as such.

I don't remember when or how Alec found me. But I remember being in so much pain from the recent beating the man gave me. I remember squirming in pain, wondering if it would finally end. I didn't want to feel the pain anymore, I gave up on thinking anyone would save after the third time he beat the crap out of me.

That was when I heard his voice. Frantic and loud, so close to where I was. I can hear him clearly followed by the thunderous steps that seemed to surround me. Then hands touched my face, removing the dirty hair off of my face, I saw Alec's face clearly. I felt like I could finally breathe at that moment. I was grateful that I could see him, even if it was the last time. Even if it was my imagination. I was relieved.

But it wasn't.

It was real and I was still alive.

The reality of what happened hit me hard when I woke up in the hospital bed with Alec sitting on his chair. I remember the way his eyes widen. The way a smile lit up his whole face as he saw my eyes opened. Despite being alive, I couldn't move from my positions due to the casts I have on my arm and leg. I could barely see anything through my hazy eyesight. But Alec, he saved me and he continued to save me long after that incident.

Alec did everything for me.

I don't know why I said what I said. I never thought I blamed Alec for anything. Not Alec. Alec saved me. He does everything in his power to give me the security that I needed long after that traumatic incident. He even went to therapy sessions with me.

I never blamed him for anything. At least I don't think I do.

I crawl to closer to them. Dy is offering his hand to me, with Alec beside me. Slowly, I take that hand. Suddenly, tiredness came over me. My eyes felt heavy and my body felt sore. I succumb to the darkness and comfort it offers of finally closing my eyes from my nightmare.