In Uncharted Waters

Chapter Six

Hey guys! Here's chapter six! Let me know if you like the story line so far!!

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These violent delights have violent ends

A few weeks went by and the world seemed to fall apart around me. I went through each day with no motivation for anything. I barely got out of bed most days. Then school began to creep up slowly. Jasper left and dad got worse. He smiled even less than usual. He drank more. My mom began to worry about our well being, but she never stopped what I went through. When dad drank he yelled too. He screamed at me for what I couldn't do. He threw things, but never hit me. I was scared though. I wasn't comfortable at home anymore.

It was the night before the first day of school. I had just gotten home from Topper's house and when I got in, my dad was at the kitchen table. I tried to slip upstairs, but my dad called me in. I knew it was better to talk to him now. It was better than the other outcome. I walked over timidly and held my breath. He asked me where I was. He told me I should've been at the hotel. He told me that I was disappointing him. I said nothing. Up until now it was better to stay quiet. Today was different though. He got mad and threw the scotch glass. I screamed and ducked. I covered my head as the bottle was next. Glass and booze shattered over me, impaling my arms and stinging. I was surrounded by pieces of glass. I couldn't move without cutting my feet. The decorative bowl on the table was next. My mom came running in as I cried hysterically. She handed me some shoes and told me to find somewhere to stay tonight. I nodded and ran upstairs to grab anything I would need for tomorrow.

20 mins later, I found myself back at Toppers. I threw some rocks at his window in order to get his attention. He glanced out and ran down to see me. He saw the blood, the cuts on my arm. He knew why I was there.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he snuck me inside. I nodded. I sat on his bed as he went and got the first aid kit. I had never been in his room before. It was neater than I thought it would be. The walls were gray and sheets were navy. It wasn't what I was expecting.

He came back and picked the glass out of my cuts with a pair of tweezers. He gave me a towel to bite down on as he sterilized the wounds. He got the glass out of my arms, but then came time for the cut I didn't want to address. When my dad threw the bowl, I didn't have enough reaction time. I closed my eyes and felt glass sink into my cheek. He picked up the tweezers and I grabbed his arm.

"I can't leave the glass in there, Sav," he said with sad eyes. Seeing him look at me like that triggered my tears. I broke down, trying not to alert anyone in the house that I was there. He pulled me into his chest and told me it was going to be alright. He picked up the tweezers one more time and held my hand as he removed the piece. He wiped it gently and gave my hand a squeeze.

I've never met anyone like Topper. He was sweet like a boyfriend, but neither of us wanted to be romantically involved. He knew everything about me, but he didn't want to fix me. He was really the best friend I've ever had. He was staring at me and analyzing me. I got up from the bed, but he stopped me. He knew if I went out on my own, I wouldn't be okay. He told me to stay, but I couldn't get him into trouble like that. I assured him that I would see him bright and early for school.

I slipped out of his house unnoticed and got into my car. I drove to the boneyard and locked the doors. I shut off my lights and closed my eyes. The weather was hot so I had cracked the window, but I was still frying. I was about to sit up and get out of the car, but then there was a knock on the window. I nearly passed at as I saw Rafe's face beaming back at me.

"Hey Savannah," he said slyly. "Funny seeing you today."

"Y-you're supposed to be in prison," I said. I was shaking as he motioned me to get out. I shook my head and listened to his explanation. I listened to how Ward took the fall for him. How he wanted to make up for being a bad dad. Rafe had learned nothing.

"Are you having fun with Topper?" he asked me. "Are you enjoying it? Being a kook?"

"Leave me alone Rafe," I warned.

"Don't worry," he said. "As long as you're friends with Topper, I won't touch you. Tell the Pogues I'm coming for them though."

I didn't sleep that night. How could I? I sat in my car and contemplated the next move. I couldn't face JJ. He hasn't even tried to contact me since. He wanted nothing to do with me. I would see Kie at school tomorrow so that was my best option. I would have to swallow my pride and go up to her. I sighed as I changed into a nicer outfit. I drove to the high school and waited outside. A new year, yet I felt like nothing would change. I got out and walked into the hallway. People stared as I walked by. The cuts on my arms and face stood out. I pulled my shirt down to cover my side that was finally starting to return to its normal color. None of them said anything. I made myself small as I got to my locker. I opened the door and placed my bag inside, grabbing what I needed for the first period. I closed the locker and turned around. Topper was there. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

"He said he saw you," he said. I knew he had met Rafe. "He said you guys talked."

"Yeah," I said. "Have you seen Kiara? I have to warn her."

"I'll do it," he said. "Stop pushing yourself."

I shook my head no at him. He would be too harsh. It would sound more like a threat than a warning. I needed to do it. I needed to swallow my pride. I walked calmly over to where Kiara stood. Her face tensed when she saw me.

"Are you okay?" she asked, looking at the cuts on me. I just nodded and avoided eye contact. "Savannah, if you would just talk to JJ and make up, we could all go back to normal. I don't know what he said but don't you think breaking up with him was rash?"

"Breaking up with him?" I asked. "It was his idea! I can't even talk to you about this... I just came to tell you Rafe is out of prison."

"What?" she asked. I stared back at her and explained how I ran into him last night. How he's looking for revenge, redemption even. I couldn't fathom what he wanted, but he looked so determined. "Well, we need a game plan."

"You need a game plan," I said. "I'm no pogue. You guys didn't want me around. I'll handle Rafe and try to keep him away from you guys, but just lie low. Tell Pope I miss him and I hope he's doing well. Look out for JJ for me."

I felt my words catch in my throat as I turned away from her. I walked back to where Topper was and told him I was ready for first period. He rubbed my back as we walked and told me everything was going to be alright. I didn't believe him though.