Rescue me Romeo

Chapter 1

I feel the coldness of brick behind me as I lean my head against the wall and count the seconds as they go by, jumping slightly when a soft buzz from my phone lights up the screen. All I tasted was blood, my body ached, it felt like every limb was being torn apart. Picking up my phone, I push myself from the concrete, wincing at every movement. Pulling on my hood, I step out into the chilled air of Toronto.

It was dark out already but that didn't make the streets any less busy. I put my head down and pushed my way through the bustling streets. Lights lit up the city streets and gas fumes filled the air. Toronto was beautiful at night, calming. It is a getaway for me. Walking hurt, but I didn't mind, I preferred it this way.

It took almost 30 minutes of walking to finally get home, if you could call it that. Pulling out my key, I walked up to our apartment building. When I walk in I typically walk straight to my room and lock the door, but today something was different. My mom was at the door to greet me. I looked her in the eye, to try and see a hint of happiness for once but all I saw was sadness and guilt. Unlike my father, she was kind but she could never say or do anything to stop my father from hurting me, all she could do was watch.

From the distressed look on her face, I knew he was on his way home. I smiled. Reassuring her that I would be alright.
I started towards my room, my head down, knowing that I would be there for the rest of the night.
Mom put her hand on my shoulder, quickly stopping me in my tracks. I closed my eyes, startled from the contact.

She knew, but she still fucking did it.
I could feel her hand leave my shoulder as soon as she felt my entire body become tense.

"I..I'm sorry, I didn't remember" she stuttered.

I slowly let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

"It's okay mom, you forgot" I said now shaking.

She looked at me with that look again. The look when you knew something was wrong, but they would tell you nothing. I hated that look.

"Look your father will be home soon," mom began "I'm sending you to your aunt's house, you'll be safe there."

I nod without saying a word to her. I understood, she was trying to get me to safety. But what about her? She watched the door as I walked to my room, which was small, but it was my escape at home. I threw all my clothes into my backpack and grabbed my guitar from my closet.

I walked back toward the front door, watching my mom pace as she waited for me to return.

"Mom" I say "I've got everything."

She turns to face me.

"Okay, that's good," she smiles, handing me a slip of paper "This is your aunt's address, go there and don't come back."

"What about you mom?" I whisper. "Who knows what dad will do to you when he finds out I'm gone."

I can see tears forming in her eyes. She knows what he'll do. But she always says,

"Emily, I will be fine."

I nod, even though I know that she won't.

"Now go" she pushes me out the door "Before your father gets home."

I look at her one last time, this is it, it's finally over. A single tear falls down my cheek, followed by a few more not even a second later.

"I love you Mom" I say tears now spilling from my eyes.

"I love you too Emily" She whispers as she shuts the door.