His Lifeline

Chapter 6: A Casual Introduction

The next morning was a new level of sore I didn't know you could reach. My muscles clenched when I moved, and as soon as I tried to stretch them out, pain shot through the spot into my brain.

I hauled myself up, feeling my eyes blackout from the dark spots that appeared in my vision. I held onto the nearest wall for a second, getting my bearings. Then I walked to the closet. Pulling out a random shirt and my black hoodie, I pulled out some black jeans and checked my bandages.

Most of them were bled through, but I hoped that they wouldn't open too soon. I quietly walked across the hallway to the bathroom and closed the door. Leaving my hair as it is, I unwrapped the bandages carefully.

Pulling the sticky bandages off my body and threw them in the trash. Then starting the shower, I hopped in. I winced as the cold water beat on my back. Slowly turning into a warm massage as my muscles relaxed under the warm water.

I quickly washed my body, being weary of all my injuries, and dried off. Then I reapplied the bandages and threw on the clothes I brought with me.

Stepping carefully out of the restroom, I ran into my bedroom to grab the house key and my math notebook and then sprinted to the front door. I was almost out when a foot out of nowhere tripped me.

I bit my tongue as I almost said, "I can do that just fine without your help, thank you."

I couldn't be late to school; it'd make life that much worse.

Gabe stood over me as I tried standing up. I staggered to my feet and took a deep breath. He smacked me across the face, and my face snapped to the side from the blow.

"What do you say?"

My mind raced. I don't say anything in the mornings; I just run out before Gabe wakes up. I tried to rack my brain for anything that he would want me to say. I guess I really am stupid; I can't even figure this out.

"Um, I'm going to school. Bye?" I guessed. I had no idea; I just hoped he would let me go soon.

Gabe looked at me with a scowl and smacked me in the same spot. "NO! You will say what I told you yesterday," he growled," Say it, I'm a stupid, weak, worthless piece of shit."

I gulped. I knew it was true, but admitting it and thinking it is entirely different. I took a deep breath, say it, get to school, easy.

"I-I'm a stupid," I took a breath my voice was getting shaky and couldn't stop it," weak, w-worthless piece of shit,"

Gabe seemed to get angrier, but I said calmly," There I said it, I have to go, or I'll be late,"

He seemed to get even angrier but nodded curtly before grabbing my left shoulder roughly as I turned to leave," But remember, this stunt right here will make bring you more trouble. Count on it,"

He let go, and I bit back a yelp as he shoved me towards the door. I wretched it open and ran down the stairs, almost falling a few times. I managed to make it to school as the warning bell rang. Hurrying, I ran to my locker, the bruises from last night's kicks acting up in my shins, making them cry out.

I quickly ran to my first period; thank the gods, it was math. Never thought I would say that, but it was the only notebook I had with me.

I opened the door and quickly sat down right as the beginning bell rang.

I gave a sigh of relief and tried to catch my breath from running through the school while pain shot through every nerve I had.

Mrs.Velma started teaching, and I tried to pay attention. I really did, but then she said something about the number three, and it got me thinking. Did the people of ancient History think about how they couldn't find a good symbol for three? And since three has two es in it, they decided to flip the capital E to make a three. Is that what they did? I'll have to ask Mr.Brunner.