Black Lightning

THE BOOK OF REBELLION

Janelle POV...

I sit in my room, meditating, this is the only time my stomach isn't killing me and my mind isn't reeling. I hear a knock on the door and I gently open it, I hear my dad's startled breath and I open a eye.

Dad:Can we talk?

I bring myself down and sit on my chair, he sits on my bed and I look at him. I haven't talked to anyone since the funeral. I only come out for food, showers, sun, to workout and grab my books from the mailbox. I hear dads heart beat quicken I look at how he's dressed, jeans, button up, regular shoes, he didn't go to work?

Dad:*clears throat* I've been thinking about this since we talked the other day, or more so you talked... Yelled... Why didn't you tell us you were getting hurt? Like--like when did this happen? When did it start? How... How could we have let this happen?

I sigh and ruffle my hair before looking into the mirror I look at my dad and sigh, shaking my head.

Me:You want me answer those?

Dad:I'd really like for to tell me something! At least tell me how long this lasted!

I grab my paperweight and toss it in the air. I shrug and look at him.

Me:That summer going into my sophomore year, the last time I seen him was when mom and em found out that I had powers. He stopped when he was in jail obviously. He first started after my first large fight it was a mixed fight but I won, he raped me inside my room, then he just kept coming back. He stalked me and Khalil only knew because he caught him in my face outside of his house with his gun to my chin.

I hear him sniff and I look up at him, I sigh and scrub my face before looking up at him.

Me:Dad please don't cry.

He looks at me, his eyes blue I sigh and sit next to him.

Dad:How could I not notice this? I'm - I'm your father! I'm supposed to protect you!

I shake my head and put my head on his shoulder.

Me:I hid it too, I didn't feel like dealing with everyone's eyes and opinions, I didn't want to be a public victim, this was before I knew you were Black Lightning so I didn't want to get you guys hurt, he and some one hundred men jumped Khalil when he tried to get him to leave me alone. I didn't want that for my dad.

Dad:He could have been put in jail!

Me:*shaking head* Dad that's the thing... I became brainwashed, I thought what he was doing was normal in some way. I remember missing him when he was in jail. I was so messed up, Khalil made me know that what he was doing to me was wrong, and that, that wasn't normal. I fell into a depression going over the fact I've been abused for two and half years, became suicidal.

He just cries and I rub his back laying my head on him. I wipe my eyes and sigh.

Me:I told him about my powers before I told anyone... That's how messed up he had me. After realizing that I wanted to die, I wanted to just leave... I was in a dark place, I still am. I learned to make my pain fuel and a shield, I didn't trust anyone, I still don't. I'm not even sure I can anymore, I only trusted Khalil with my life, I trust you but... It's just different. I blame myself for not killing him when he first touched me, I blame myself for not helping Anissa and Jennifer when we got kidnapped. I blame myself for Khalil getting shot... I blame myself for you almost dying, I blame myself for Khalil dying, I blame myself for that girl dying in that ring.