The Getaway

CH. 31 Isolation

The next morning when I woke up, my whole body was stiff.

I laid in bed, staring at my ceiling in silence.

I could feel a sore indent on my throat. My wrists ached. And, most painfully of all, my head pounded out of control.

The ringing of my ears hadn't left, and I found myself squinting in pain from the small amount of light that leaked into my room.

I definitely had a concussion...

I'd have to suck it up though. Nobody could know.

I didn't want anyone to know. Especially not my brothers.

I laid frozen in bed.

I didn't even want to get up.

I stared at the ceiling, feeling numb as a tear trickled it's way down my face.

I turned to my side, wrapping myself in my blanket.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, trying to squeeze my body as close together as humanly possible.

I glanced over to my side table that held a small alarm clock.

It was already 1:30 PM.

Weekends at the Hansen house usually remained private. We used these few days of freedom to do our own thing— no mandatory family meals except for Sunday nights.

This allowed me to lay in bed all day without disturbance.

Around 3, I heard the rummaging of my brothers getting up.

Must've been a fun party if they slept in this late...

I laid silently, letting thoughts run recklessly through my mind.

I don't even think they had noticed me missing last night.

They all came home drunk out of their minds.

I doubt they even checked to see if I was in my room when they got home.

I tossed and turned within my bed, finally finding the strength to go take a shower and wash the filth of last night from my body.

I walked to the bathroom, my whole body in a trance as I started the shower and stepped in.

I stood under the scolding hot water, letting it mend my cold and broken body.

I leaned my head back, letting the water soak my hair.

The water rinsed across the area where Matteo had smashed my head against the floor.

I whimpered, shutting my eyes as I remembered that moment.

I could feel it. The way my brain rumbled deep within my skull. The feeling of dizziness quickly accompanying it. The black void that followed...

I remember his touch, I thought to myself as I began to clean my body.

I could barely touch my chest without sobbing.

I felt disgusting.

Violated.

Used.

I reopened my eyes, realizing that I was now sitting on my shower floor, sobs erupting from my mouth.

I covered my head shamefully as water hit my back.

I stayed on the floor for what seemed like an eternity, my agonizing cries finally soothing to mere whimpers.

Get up. You're stronger than this, my self conscious encouraged me weakly.