Silence

Love

Love: To feel a strong and warm affection.

- Merriam-Webster

Sunday. Shopping day. I lightly limped to the mall. It's the only other place that I am allowed to speak, other than at home. After getting everything, I double check the shopping list to make sure I have everything. He hates it if I forget something. There's one thing left. Cereal. Of course, it's on the top shelf. I try stretch to reach it, trying my best to ignore the pain in the abdomen. Suddenly a hand, from behind me, reaches out and brings it down for me.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"What?" He says.

I froze. Shit. I know that voice. It's Sam. Why, oh why did it have to be him! Now he knows I can speak; he's going to tell every one and then he is going to find out!

"You spoke," he says slightly surprised, a smile sliding across his face.

"Don't tell anyone!" I whisper yell in panic.

I pay for everything. He pops up beside me and says, "hey could I at least give you a ride home?"

I shake my head. "Oh, come on please? I just want to make sure you get home safe."

I sigh and look into his eyes. I can see the determination. He's not going to give up. I look at the ground while I think about it. My leg and abdomen are killing me, and he won't be home yet. I nod. He smiles widely.

"Thank you" I whisper

___

Wednesday after school. I have barely taken a step into the house. I feel pain on my scalp. I'm flying.

Crash!

"YOU BITCH! YOU SPOKE TO SOMEONE!"

I fall to the floor. Just as I register that there is a wall touching my back. I feel a kick to my ribs. Curling up into a fetal position. Covering my face. I scream in pain and surprise, forgetting to stay silent.

Knock.

Knock.

Silence

Footsteps get farther and farther away. I hear the door swing open. Muffled angered voices, one that sounds as if they trying to hold themselves back. Still. That is how I stay. Trying to muffle my cries. I know if I make a sound I will get punished.

It's becoming harder and harder to hold in the cries. I try to adjust my position to relieve some of the pain. It just gets worse. Sirens. I become confused I hear unfamiliar footsteps coming closer at a fast pace. Like they are speed walking.

I cry out and as I instinctively try to curl away from the fast approaching danger.

I hear a voice. I can't understand what they are saying, but I recognise the voice. Sam

"Hey, you need to breathe. Breathe with me." He says.

I try. I can't. I feel as if I'm under water with a hand around my throat. Squeezing. Tight.

"You leave me no choice. I'm sorry if you don't like this."

I look at him confused. Then I realised, too late.

He kissed me.