You're Not Alone

The Dark Before the Dawn

(Jen's POV)

I held my hurt cheek, still aching from where Jodie's boyfriend, Dallin had practically chewed it off. I hoped his head was still bleeding from when I broke a beer bottle against it to get him off of me, though glass was still embedded in my bleeding hands.

Austin was right.

I couldn't face him yet. We both said inexcusable things to each other and I just wanted to hide. I don't think any I the guys would want me sneaking back on the bus at 2:30 in the morning anyway.

I tasted blood in my mouth. The cut on my lip from Dallin's harsh kisses had reopened. I hated that bastard with every fiber of my being. I hated Jodie just as much.

She never intended to become friends by inviting me to the party. She needed a show for her friends, and she decided it was me. She had Dallin and this other kid pin my arms behind me while she punched me and slapped my face until I fell to the ground. Dallin tried to take advantage of that. I was damn tired of being used by men. I managed to push him off and knock him unconscious before jumping out of he window and running.

I didn't know where I was. I didn't know how I was gonna get back to Austin or the bus. I was alone.

I found a park bench and collapsed onto it. My body told me to cry. My mind told me to cry. But I couldn't. I was numb.

I brought my knees to my chest. I felt like I did on the first night away from home. Lost, vulnerable, weak and alone.

I sat and prayed Austin would come and save me once again, though I knew I didn't deserve it.

----------------------------------------------

(Austin's POV)

I drove around in a rental car, frantically searching for Jen. I gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles, praying that she wasn't laying dead in a ditch somewhere.

You fucked up, Carlile. You fucked up and she could be dead because of you.

I turned street after street, desperately searching for the girl that changed my life forever.

I turned another street corner and a flash of blonde hair caught my eye. I couldn't see her face clearly, but I felt my heart leap. She was about Jen's size, absolutely tiny. It had to be her.

----------------------------------------------

(Jen's POV)

A car skidded to a stop in front of me. I braced myself in case I had to run again.

A deranged looking Austin jumped out.

I stood, but felt my knees go weak. They bulked and I fell to the ground, my bloody hands staining the concrete.

Austin was sprinting towards me and before I knew it, I was enveloped in his arms.

"Austin I'm sorry. I took it too far, I-" I started to sob into his chest. I pulled out from his body and he cupped my face in his hands.

"Jen, I need you to listen to me right now." His voice shook and I placed my hands on top of his, still caressing my tear stained cheeks. My blood smeared on his hands, but he didn't seem to notice, or he didn't care if he did. "Jen, I didn't mean what I said. I was upset and caught up in the heat of the moment, and...." His voice trailed off and he bit his lip. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry."

I sobbed even harder. "No, I'm sorry. I took it too far before you did and I had no right to say what I did. And you were right about Jodie. She...she..." I tried to slow my breathing down a bit, remembering what happened last time I cried this hard.

"Tell me later, darling. I'm taking you home." He lifted me off the ground and I rested my head on this shoulder.

"I'm sorry about the blood on your hands. And your jacket." I whispered.

"Don't worry about it." He whispered back.

He laid me down in the backseat of the car, giving me the jacket to hold in my hands to stop the bleeding.

I watched as the lights rushed past the window, like ships in the night.

Some of you may be wondering why many of the things I write is related to sexual abuse/assault. These topics hit very close to home, as I have experience with them.

But that's a story for another time.

Title creds- When She Cries by Britt Nicole.

Two updates in one day, wow. More to come soon!

Thanks for reading!