RUTHLESSLY

Runaway

'I've had enough' that was the thought that rang in my ears and kept me up all night. It could have been the ringing my ears endured after getting smacked so hard that I almost hit the ground, but I'm sure it wasn't since I had heard the words loud and clear.

I sat in the cold, damp basement, I was locked in every night. Holding my cheek, it must have been an hour since he left, calling me pathetic on his way out. I didn't care how long I'd been sitting there, I kept my hand on my cheek, scared that if I made a move, even cried about it, he'd come running back to teach me another lesson.

My body was frozen in place, I hadn't moved for what felt like days, but had only been a mere hour or so. I started moving my head to look around, making sure no one was with me.

To the right were laundry machines, I scanned the area with my eyes quickly before slowly, looking to the left, the left only held the hoarded mess of decorations, chairs and other things that need to be thrown out.

I sighed when I realized I was, in fact, alone. Completely, mentally and physically.

I started to stand up from my position on my knees, I hissed in pain when I did, I looked down towards them, they were skinned and slightly bleeding.

I didn't bother cleaning them up, I only wiped the mess off my face, I could feel my sore eyes and the dried tear marks on my face, which felt hot.

'I must be getting sick' I laughed at the thought, quietly, feeling more insane as the realization flowed over me.

Being in this moldy, cold, wet basement must have taken its toll.

Maybe black mold has poisoned me and I'll die within the next few weeks, or even better days. 

I sat back on a pile of dirty clothes, leaning my back against the cement wall, I stared at my knees. No thoughts ran threw my head, it was only blank. I was too tired to think, I didnt know how I was managing to keep my eyes open. I could feel them flutter open then shut every few seconds.

I was almost asleep, my heart rate had slowed and my body was still, that is until I heard the basement door fly open. Immediately my heart flew into a panic and I shot up, way too fast as my head started spinning circles.

'Straight into flight mode' my own brain mocked me. It had a right to, I was always scared. But I had to be. If I wasn't, I would die, wouldn't I?

I looked towards the stairs too see a blurry figure coming down the creaky steps. I squinted trying to make out who it could be, or rather if I should be scared or not.

They apporched slowly, stepping down from the last step, carrying something in their hands.

I blinked hard and when I opened my eyes I could see clearly, it wasn't my brother, it was Jody.

He wouldn't hurt me.

"Hey.." He said looking me up and down starting at my knees. "I brought you something to eat.. You look like you need it."

I looked at the plate in his hands, eggs and toast. I looked away as fast as I had looked towards it, the smell of food making me nauseous. I knew I needed to eat, and Jody meant no harm. But I couldn't, my body was to stressed to eat. I wanted to throw up.

Sensing my discomfort, he set the plate aside and crossed his legs to sit in front of me. My legs were stretched out in front of him, exposing my bruises and the gashes on my knees.

He gave a sad look towards me, I looked away from him. Not wanting to be the source of his pity party.

He sighed and looked back to my knees before he pulled out a pack of antibiotic wipes. I hadn't seen where he got them from, I don't think I cared very much either.

He took one out before he went to dab the blood off, he stopped and scowled at a large bruise forming on my lower calf.

He ran his fingers over it, gently. "Oh Jade.."  He shook his head.

'He's talking as if this is your fault' my brain hissed, and she wasn't wrong. Maybe Jody blamed me too. Maybe they all blamed me for everything.

I didnt say anything, just let him clean me up. I rested my head on my shoulder, wanting death to just take me over already.

I didnt want to stay here anymore, I wanted to leave.

'Then run' my heart skipped a beat, 'run and never come back'

I made a gasp out loud, causing Jody to look at me, only for a second before he looked back down. He must have thought he had accidentally touched a tender part of my skin.

How? How would I run, the basement is locked up every night, Jody would never help me..

I looked around the basement, cement walls, and clutter. I looked at the laundry machines. And just above them was, the gutter windows. Just small enough for someone to crawl threw.

Thats how I'd run. I'd go threw the window when everyone was asleep. Then run to the city. Perfect plan.

Or was I only dehydrated and hungry, maybe I wasn't thinking right. Maybe I would get caught.

'And what would Jason do, beat us? He does that every day'

My mind was right, I had nothing to lose except my own life and even I didnt want to live it that bad, especially if I was forced to live it like this.

"You know he does care about you" Jody said, breaking my train of thought, I snapped my head towards his. For a second, I was scared he could've read my mind.

'How crazy do we need to be before we can't take anymore'

"I highly doubt that..." My voice lowly croaked out, I coughed at how sore it was. "Say whatever youd like to try to make me feel better, I'll even fake a smile if you want" I pulled my lips into a smile, they were chapped and split so it hurt.

Jody made a disappointed face, as if I had just told him the worst joke in the world. He stood up, being done cleaning me up and collected all the wipes he had used.

When did my humour get so dark? So mean? I didn't care.

"I know you don't believe it, Jade, but he does."

"He's got a real fucking funny way of showing it." I spat at him. He gave me one more disappointed look before starting up the stairs.

"Goodnight." He shut off the lights and went threw the upstairs door.

I sat in the quiet, dark basement. And thats when I vowed, I was leaving. I wouldn't let Jason put another finger on me. I was escaping.

Tonight.