Rescue Me

Chapter 4: Reoccurring nightmares

Raine

…

   I woke up to Lalla crying. Looking around I realized I was no longer in my bedroom, in my home. In fact I was in my old home.

Richard’s home.

    I jumped out of bed looking around franticly for my daughter. Or Richard. When I couldn’t find either, I ran to the door and followed the sound her screaming, thinking the worst could happen. What if he’s with her? What if he hit her? What if he…oh God please no!The thought made me run even faster through the humongous house.  What if he touched her?It made me sick to my stomach to even think like that.

    I sprang through the door looking around for either Lalla or Richard. The room was bland and quiet except for the screaming that was taking place.

    I walked slowly toward it trying to calm by beating heart. Here she was crying in her bed, but when I went to pick her up, she wasn’t 4, she was a baby. And she wasn’t in a bed but a crib. Where is my daughter?

   I shrieked when the door slammed open. “Why is that dammed baby still crying?!?” I froze at the sound of that voice.  

A voice I never thought I would hear again.

Richard.

   I turned slowly hoping it was just my imagination. I was wrong. His face was contorted with anger as he stalked toward me. Once close enough, he grabbed my chin forcefully and jerked it up to his bloodshot eyes. I could smell the alcohol from his breath causing me to crinkle my nose at him. He repeated his question articulating every word forcefully in my face.

    Choking on my own words, I didn’t answer him afraid that if I did, it would be the wrong answer. If possible, I could have sworn that La-err that baby screamed even louder. 

    He glanced over my shoulder looking toward the enfant eyes narrowing. His slender rough hands slid down around my neck squeezing slightly.

   Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand fold tightly into a fist before it dived straight into my stomach. I gasped and tried to grab my torso but his grip around my neck tightened, holding me up. “I allow you to keep that bastard of a child and this is how you repay me?!?”  He shouted. Punch after punch, his grip tightened around me so that my airway was blocked. I tried to move my hands toward my neck and scramble his hands off of me but failed. He smirked at my attempts and threw me against the wall beside the crib.

   I doubled over coughing trying to force air into my lungs at the same time. He watched me amused as I tried to block the tears from falling. “Fix that,” He pointed to the crib. “If I hear that dammed noise again I can’t promise this will go as easy again,” He walked out of the room slamming the door behind. I slowly, painfully got up and limped toward the crib.

   As I was reaching for her a shrill noise echoed through the dead night and before my eyes the crib and everything around it was crumbling into pieces.

…

   I woke up with a start; the alarm clock ringing its heart out. I grabbed my chest painfully before looking around my room for that baby only to meet the pale tan color of my room. I let out a shaky breath trying to calm my raging heart. It’s been a while since I’ve dreamt like that.

  Pressing the “Snooze” button on the alarm clock, I slowly crawled out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. I dragged myself toward the mirror stretching my neck and examining it softly. Groaning angrily toward myself I scoffed. God, what am I doing?  I promised myself, I promised Lalla, that I am and will not let my past affect our future. Thinking of Lalla, I couldn’t help but think of that baby. Who was she and why was she in a house with Richard. Heck, why was I in a house with Richard.  

  Ignoring the thought, I quickly turned on the shower, knowing that the hot water will ease my tense muscles. Slowly undressing myself, I jumped in the shower, enjoying the hot water on my sore muscles and began washing my body tiredly. Looking at the clock I realized I only had 30 minutes before I had to leave to get Lalla to school on time. “Mierda” (Shit). I hurriedly put on my khaki skinnies, black Vans, and my dark blue Taco Mac shirt, before practically running back to the bathroom to ‘fix’ myself. I threw my hair into a high ponytail, put a headband on it, and put on mascara lip gloss and foundation around my eyes.

    Once I deemed myself worthy, I ran to Lalla’s room. I turned the lights on and shook Lalla lightly. “Lalla, its time to get up,” She shook her head. “No mama, too tired,” Had we had time, I would have laughed but that’s not the case right now. “No no Lalla, we are running late,” I picked her up and put her under the shower, removing the head. “Arms up, come on,”

   After the bathroom we headed toward her room to pick out what she wanted to wear. Ten minutes left.  I counted. “Ok Lalla, dress or pants?” I asked her. “Dwess,” she pointed toward the yellow sun dress. I nodded before placing it on her. I reached for her black gladiator shoes and slipping them on her feet. I pushed her back to the bathroom grabbing her black headband and black bracelets. I left her hair down, letting it dry in waves before placing the headband on and her bracelets.

  We raced to the kitchen and I made her a small little breakfast that included a little bag of apples, a juice, and a toaster strudel. 2 minutes.  

  We ran outside and down the stairs before heading toward the parking lot when I realized I left my car at the restaurant for Logan’s mechanic. “Crap,” I muttered pulling out my phone. I dialed a number and smiled when she picked up. “Hey Raine, wassup?”  She asked huskily. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,”  “No, no its fine. What’s wrong?” I sighed and held Lalla’s hand tighter. “My car broke down last night at Taco Mac so I need a ride,” She paused. “Yeah its fine, in fact why don’t you use my mom’s car. She’s out of town today,” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks Is, you’re a life saver!” She chuckled. “I know, I try,” I smiled and disconnected the line before walking back with Lalla to Is’s apartment.

    I knocked on the door and waited. “Here,” She stated thrusting the keys out the door. “Thanks,” she waved it off shutting the door, most likely going back to sleep. “Come on Lalla, let’s go,”

     We pulled up at the school minutes before the bell. I parked the car and ran to get Lalla out and walking toward the school’s entrance. As we walked past the front I pulled Lalla to the side and gave her a hug. “Be safe okay? And remember mommy loves you,” I looked into her eyes. She nodded “Te quiero demasiado, mama,” (I love you too, mommy) I smiled and gave her another hug before pushing her toward the rest of the school.  I watched her walk away until I couldn’t see her anymore and walked back to the car.

   Now that I was alone, I couldn’t help but keep thinking of the nightmare I just had. The last time I had a nightmare was before Lalla turned 2. Why now? What  does it mean?   

   I pushed all thoughts away as I pulled into the parking lot hoping that today would go quickly and smoothly. With no surprises at all.

Boy was I wrong.

Sooooo sorry for the late update!!! I’ve been veryyy busy at school. And its very tiring. I will make it one of my closest priorities to update this story. Thanks for reading!!!

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