Chapter 14 - Sara
Sometime later I wake to more steps on the stairs. I’m not sure when I had found sleep, and I’m surprised I was able to at all, but as soon as I see the familiar boots I wish it would take me again. I knew the reason he’d be down here, and the smile when he turns to me confirms my fear. I try and make myself even smaller.
I had nowhere to go, nothing to fight with besides flailing limbs, and that would have to do. He’s half way towards me when I hear the zipper come down on his jeans. I don’t hesitate resisting when I feel his hand tangle in my hair. Even with my eyes closed I could feel the flesh that was being pushed towards my mouth. I tried so hard to move my head away, but with the wall on either side of my face, and a strong hand in my hair there was nowhere for me to go, subsequently nowhere else for the hardening member either. My flailing legs did nothing to help me get away. When his other hand pinches my nose I had no choice. So the moment he releases my nose, and I had my breath I shut my mouth. A scream erupts from his throat, the hand in my hair disappears, I open my eyes long enough to find his hand was soon coming back. The closed fist hits me across my cheek, and a sudden snap echoing in my head, but he’s not done as I slump sideways to the floor. A boot to the middle, then to the legs as I curl to protect myself, and as if he couldn’t hurt me enough he was stomping on parts I couldn’t protect. The next crack comes from my side and the breath rushes out of me. I whimper when I try and take another breath. It hurts.
“You fucking bitch, you’re going to pay for that.”
As if I hadn’t already paid a high enough price, that had just been the calm before the storm. What had I done? I curl protectively even though it makes my side burn. I close my eyes as tight as I can, pushing aside the pain in my face, and wait for whatever he has in store for me. His boots stomp down on my already pained middle, I want so desperately to turn, but I don’t dare move. When I whimper as another kick lands squarely on my shin it suddenly stops.
“Are you ready to be a good girl?” he’s out of breath. I can’t tell if it’s from exertion, or from being excitable at having someone new to beat.
I wince as I try to make myself even smaller. But it’s no use, his strength easily overpowers me. His fingers tangle in my hair again, this time with such violence I’m afraid I will have no hair left to grab. My jaw hurts where he squeezes it, effectively prying my mouth open making me expel a pained moan. In vain I try and squirm away, I shut my eyes so tight those hurt too.
Then there is a roar that fills the room. I flinch away from it, and suddenly I am let go. Curling inward I think only to protect myself from whatever is coming next. There’s a scuffle, but I don’t dare move from my protective huddle. A few more grunts, and then silence, and still I don’t look up. I don’t know what kind of trick he’s playing at but I was done with playing any game that he was involved in.
A hand reaches out and touches my arm and I flinch. When my hand is forced away from my face I use my feet to kick out. There were hands on my legs, and the hands on my arm, still there, now were tightening. Jesus did he expect to double team me? I struggle harder. I could hear someone talk, but I didn’t care what they had to say, this was not happening.
“Open your eyes Sara. Look at me,” I knew that voice, but it couldn’t be. My body slows in it’s struggle long enough for me to be wrapped up in familiar arms, then my eyes open, and as soon as it registers who has me I wrap myself tighter around him and start to cry.
“It’s alright darling, I’ve got you now. You’re safe,” speaking softly to reassure me. Vince’s arm comes around me even tighter and I can’t bite back the moan, “Shit,” it loosens instantly.
“Where are you hurt?” he demands.
“Ribs,” is all I can manage.
“We’ll get you to a doctor.”
“Ric won’t be happy,” Bear’s says somewhere besides me.
“I don’t care about Ric right now. She needs medical attention,” Vince’s voice is stern.
“But how is she going to explain her injuries in the hospital?” Bear tries to reason.
“We’ll say she fell down the stairs or something,” Vince sounds exacerbated, “It doesn’t matter either way I’m taking her.”
Bear grunts his reply, and I’m too tired to care what he says.
“Sara I’m going to carry you up stairs and to my truck, OK?” I nod my head, eager to leave this place. It holds no memories I want to remember. The first movement causes pain to shoot up my side, and I whimper.
“I know baby, I’m sorry,” it felt like he carried me forever gently placing me in his truck. The beginning of the drive to the hospital was painful. Somewhere in between, I’m not sure if it was to escape the pain, or the relief that I was away from that place I was able to fall asleep. I wasn’t going to question the blessing that it was.