Like a switch being turned on, my brain put together everything and I knew without a doubt that the man—her father—was her tormentor. He was the one who was hurting her mentally and physically. He was breaking her piece by piece as if she wasn’t his own flesh and blood.
I know parents are shitty, considering I have such a brilliant pair as an example. But the fact some are so fucked in their head that they abuse their own kid is something even I can’t understand.
When her dad hit her, my mind went blank with rage. I didn’t wait or think, I acted.
My fist hit his face in the darkness of my thoughts and anger. I don’t remember much other than fighting him, and Hope getting worried for me. She was terrified of what he’d do to me. Ifinally understood why she didn’t tell me about him. She wasn’t worried about herself but me. She didn’t want me to go to jail, which is exactly what happened.
In my defense, I don’t regret it one bit. I’m glad I got to hit him.
However, I’m also not sure how I’ll get out of this problem.
I never wanted a record and now I have one.
My reputation is already bad, and now it just took another hit.
Despite these thoughts, I’m more worried about Hope. I can’t imagine what hell she’s going through. Her pathetic shit of dad must be taking out his frustration on her, or maybe he’s left her alone. Whatever the case is, I feel helpless and useless that I can’t save her.
I hate it.
I want to be there with her and not here.
Time passes long when you’re trapped in your head. Seconds take minutes and minutes take hours to slip away.
At some point my eyes close and exhaustion weighs on me thick. The adrenaline rush finally disappearing. But my mind can’t stop worrying about Hope.
I just want to make sure she’s okay. I don’t even care if I get to ask her on a date or tell her about my feelings. I just want to see for myself that she isn’t hurt or crying right now. I want to… there’s so much I want to do.
My thoughts crumble and unconsciousness tickles my head. Before I can fight it off I’m already falling through the darkness.
2
HEATH
The rattlingsound of the lock against the bars makes me open my eyes.
“Good. You’re awake. It’s time to go.” The shrewd officer from before, who escorted Sebastian out, is back with his scowl and hatred for me. I’ve never crossed paths with him, but he certainly has a grudge against me.
“What do you mean?” I rasp out, my throat dry from being patched for hours. Standing up on my feet, I stumble a little. Looking down I find the cut on my leg that needs medical attention. The wound I totally forgot about in the heat of the events that took place afterwards.
“Hurry up!”
Ignoring it, I walk out of the damn cell where I don’t want to be again.
The officer, tall and sharp-looking, narrows his eyes on me. “There is someone who paid for your bail and everything else. You’re going home even though you don’t deserve it.”
My fists are clenched tightly beside my sides. Rage coursing through me like a stream of molten lava. My teeth grit together.
He’s here.
My father came for me.
Like most kids, I should feel joyous or relieved to know that my parents care for me. He came all the way from Canada to bail me out. I should be happy, but I’m not.
I’d rather spend another night here than see that man. The man I hate so much.
Quietly, I follow the officer. He continues telling me how I’m spoiled and don’t deserve to have the privilege. At some point he tells me his son goes to the same school as me and has told him a lot about me. Talk about stalking. Seriously! Doesn't that guy have something else to talk about besides keeping tabs on me and discussing me with his dad.
“I hope you change yourself and grow up,” he says before turning to his left. “There’s the man who bailed you out.”
