I didn’t make it.
Fuck.
He didn’t stop.
When his boot to my ribs ricocheted pain through my body, I cried out, unable to smother the show of weakness. Already knowing the cost.
My father lashed out again. And again. Each kick forced bile into my throat, pooling saliva in my mouth to mix with blood from his hit, but I didn’t dare spit it out.
The familiar sound of metal came next, anyway.
Tracking the soft clink of his belt as he undid it, I forced myself to swallow. He’d only make it worse if I got blood on the carpet.
Darkness teased at the edges of my vision.
It wouldn’t come quickly enough.
My muscles tensed, expecting the blow.
But it never came.
Rough hands seized me by the shoulders, hauling me up. My father’s grip tightened over my bruised ribs, and I nearly cried out again.
His venomous whisper hissed in my ear, “Keep your mouth shut.”
I bit my tongue, stifling a scream and caught off guard when he released me. My body crumpled to the floor at his feet. I waited for another blow, my mind reeling as his words and how this always played out jumbled together.
Listening for his footsteps, I tried to place where he was, but everything sounded far away. Fuzzy. Muted. As if I’d stepped into a wind tunnel after stuffing my ears with cotton. Nothing made sense.
Then, from somewhere behind me, different voices rang out.
Voices I’d recognize anywhere.
“Blake!”
Adam’s shout echoed off the walls. It rattled inside my brain, and I almost passed out.
“Oh my god!”
That cry lifted my head.
I searched for their voices. Searched forher. Needing to tell her I was sorry.
Needing to tell her I?—
As I turned my face, I met my father’s cold, gray stare, and the hatred resonating within his blue eyes forced that thought from my head.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, getting closer.
He couldn’t touch me. Not now.
I spat blood at his feet, spraying it across the carpet with pride.
The toe of his boot twitched like he wanted to kick me again, but it was too late.
They came back for me.
With that final thought, I gave my father a bloody smile.
