Super Shorties

Bruises

~Samantha's POV~

Another bruise, this one forming a deep blotchy purple on my cheek. Two more on my ribs. He's being beaten again, I don't know why. I do my best to not get hurt for his sake. He doesn't need any more bruises. He's my soul mate, whatever injury he suffers, I suffer too. I want to help him, but I don't know how...

"Samantha..." My mom knocks on my door. "I brought you a snack." I look up as she enters with a plate of pear slices and cheese. "Oh sweetie!" She scurries over and kneels beside me on the floor gently touching the forming bruise. "That poor boy." She whispers. I sigh and cast my eyes down to my math homework.

"I can't let him keep living like this mom."

She nods in understanding a sympathetic smile on her face. "I know dear. You only have a few more days of school and then I will help you go find him." She brushes back my hair and kisses my forehead then leaves shutting my door behind her.

Halfheartedly I eat some of the pear and absently scratch my leg with my pencil staring at the next problem. Where I had scratched left a small pinkish line. A lightbulb flashed above my head. I could write him messages through pain. The pencil scratches didn't hurt much and disappeared in minutes but if he saw them... maybe I could help him keep going. Stuffing another slice of pear in my mouth I jabbed my leg a few times to get his attention then drew a heart. Under it I wrote five words.

I am here for you.

~Kyle's POV~

I cough and uncurl slowly my ribs were throbbing and my cheek hurt like hell but I was still alive. Finished with me my father went back to his arm chair in front of the TV with his beer. "Bastard." I mutter heaving myself to my feet one hand on the off yellow wall for support. Its not the worst beating I've received. But by no means would it be the last.

I can't imagine what she must think of me. My eyes sting with tears that I refused to shed. She must hate me for all the bruises she got from me. All the cuts and broken bones. The one person made for me alone probably despises me. I trudge to my room and collapse on my cot. Why would she want someone as pathetic as me?

There was a light sensation on my leg and I scratch at it without thinking. Must be fleas again. Draping one arm over my eyes I settle down for a much needed nap. Poke. Poke. Poke. I sit up and roll up my pant leg. A light heart formed along with the words I am here for you. The tears came then, spilling down my cheeks in hot torrents. After all this she still wants to be there for me. I look around my barren room for something to reply with but give up and use a finger nail. I scratch a heart into my skin and for the first time in years, I smile.

I wasn't alone.