The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Five | Devil From His Slumber

Adam

I can hear Liv in the bathroom getting ready for school. I still haven't gotten up, no point I know I'm not going in today.

I reach over grabbing my phone and type out a message to Josh.
My phone starts buzzing in my hand only seconds after I hit send. I don't even need to check the caller ID to know who's calling.

"Hey Josh."

"Dude, you're not coming to school today?"

I roll my eyes and let out an exaggerated breath at his dumb question, I just messaged him asking for him to get my missed work, so he knows the answer.

"How bad?" He asks following my silence.

"Not to bad. I'm ok. Just a small bruise on my face and really don't feel like having people ask questions."

"He's getting worse, Adam. He never used to leave bruises on your face. Small or not."

"I know, he was especially mad last night. He also didn't mean to hit my face. It just escalated."

I knew I was making excuses. Worse, Josh knew too.

I could hear his heavy breath coming through the phone as his anger heightened.

"I fucking hate him. I swear to god, Adam. This needs to stop. I love you man but we need to tell someone."

"No, Josh. We've gone over this."

"No, you've gone over it. But enough is enough."
The volume in his voice has risen to an almost yell.

"You know we can't do that." I pinch the bridge of my nose and take in a breath before continuing.
"What if we tell someone? Maybe they believe us. More likely that they don't. He find outs I told someone."

"But it could..."

"No, Josh" I cut him off before he can finish.
"I'll be the one to come back home with my dad madder than hell. It would be worse. He could start in on Liv. I'm barely able to protect her now." I stop to catch my breath surprised at how worked up I'm getting. "Just trust me. I can handle this."

I hear him sigh. But wait for him to speak again.

"Ok. I'll stop by after school and drop off your assignments."

"Thank you." Thinking better of it I decide to add. "Or you can just give it to Liv if it's easier."

I really didn't want Josh seeing my face. He would see I was lying about the size of the bruise. Even more so I know it would just fuel his fire on the topic of getting help.

"Alright, I'll figure it out. I'll call you later. Stay safe man."

"Thanks, have a good day." I quickly click the end call button and set my phone down on the night stand.

Getting up from the bed was a challenge. My body protested at the movement, sending waves of pain throughout.

I take a shirt out of my dresser and slowly put it on, careful not to touch the sore parts of my back.
I quickly catch a glimpse of my face in my mirror as I turn around.
A nasty bruise coats my jaw. I turn away before the need to step closer to examine it takes over.

Opening the bedroom door I peak my head out.
I don't hear anything and notice both the bathroom door and Liv's bedroom door are open.
She must be downstairs.

Heading downstairs, i round the corner into the kitchen and see Liv sitting at the table. An unopened granola bar sits in front of her.
Lost in her own head she doesn't even realize I'm there until I tap her shoulder.