The Abused Runaway

Chapter 5

‘Who is this guy? Why is he being so nice to me?’ “No that’s ok I wouldn’t want to bother you, but I really have to get going. It was nice talking to you.” I started to turn to start walking when he said “It wouldn’t bother me, but alright. Talk later?” “Yeah, sounds good” I gave him a quick smile and started walking home. When I was out of sight I ran. ‘s**t, s**t, s**t!’

I'm running as fast as I can, I spent more time talking to Jake than I thought. When I finally get back home I know I’m in trouble, I can feel it. But then again, when am I not in trouble with them?

As soon as I walk in the door, I’m greeted with shouting coming from the kitchen. “Oh wow! You finally decided to show up huh?” It’s my mom. I looked at the clock that’s hung on the wall in the living room, it’s 3:45 pm. School ends at 3:00 pm and I’m supposed to be home by 3:30 and not a minute late. Or I get punished. Even though my school isn’t 30 minutes away from my house, it’s further, but they don’t care, they just tell me I need to run more anyways. Did I mention I’m about 5’3 and 125 pounds, you know about average for someone like me? But apparently I need to run more.

I didn’t know exactly what they’re going to do, but I know it’s not going to be good. It never is.

I walk slowly into the kitchen to meet with my mother. She was getting stuff ready to make dinner, making sauce for spaghetti. It always tastes better the longer it cooks so she usually starts the sauce in the morning. I guess with everything else at least she can cook.

“Hey sweetie, how was school?” Here we go. “It was good, how was your day?”

“Oh it was fine. So are you going to tell me why you think it’s ok for you to be late?” “It’s only 15 minutes late.” She turned to look at me. A look on her face that most people would see as just a normal mother’s face when her daughter was 15 minutes late. But not me. I know this look all too well. “Oh, ‘it’s only 15 minutes late’ is it? That’s still 15 minutes. You know you’re supposed to be home by 3:30, your father and I don’t want you running away again you know. And if you're late, we start to think you're running away. You don’t want us to think that, do you?”

“No.” “No, what?” I look at the floor, “No ma’am.” She starts to smile, but it quickly fades. “Good girl. Now, tell me why you think you can disobey our orders? We are your parents, we tell you what to do, and you listen. It’s that simple, so why can’t you just do that? Huh?”

“I’m sorry mom, it won’t happen again.”

“Go to your room. Your father and I have to discuss your punishment” she turned back around to stir the sauce. “But you don’t have to punish me. I won’t do it again. I just lost track of time at school. I-I was talking to a teacher about an assignment I have.” She slammed the spoon that she was using to stir the sauce on the counter next to the pot. “Do you want to make your punishment worse? Then I suggest you shut up and go to your room! Right now!”

I ran downstairs to my room and shut the door. I don’t know why I even tried to talk her out of it, it never works. A while later I hear footsteps coming down the stairs and my heart starts to beat faster with every step as he gets closer. Step. Step. Step. Thump. Thump. Thump. He finally reaches my door and I hold my breath as I watch my doorknob start to turn.

As he walks in the door I look to see if he brought anything to use or if he’s just going to use his hands. When he walked fully through the door, I noticed that he had his belt in his right hand. So it’s going to be the belt tonight. He doesn’t even have to say anything anymore. I know when he walks in with the belt I need to sit on my knees at the end of the bed with my hands on the knobs of the bed frame. If I try to argue or plead it goes on for longer and it’s worse.

So I take my shirt off, I’m wearing a sports bra, and get into the position of hanging my head. He starts hitting me, thankfully not with the metal side of the belt, he must not be in as bad of a mood today. I hold in my cries of pain as tears stream down my face waiting for it to end, until eventually I start to go numb from the pain.

I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry out in pain. He finally stops and says, “don’t even think about disobeying and being late again” and walks out of my room.

I sat on my floor hugging my knees to my chest, staring at the floor. I need to get out of here. But how? They’ll never let me go. They’re always two steps ahead of me, every time I run either they find me or the police do and then they return me to them.

My back feels wet from the blood dripping down it. Well this week is starting out eventful. And it’s only Monday. “Sasha, dinner’s ready!” My mother yells down to me.

I throw an old shirt on and head upstairs, trying not to wince at the pain of the shirt rubbing against my back. When I get upstairs I head to the dining room and the table is set, my mom is finishing carrying in the food and setting it up on the table. Sometimes we sit at the table and try to pretend that we’re a real and happy family, while other times they go sit in the living room watching tv and I try to hurry up to my room as fast as possible.

I wonder if they’ll even care enough to see if I’m going to eat tonight. It wouldn't be the first time that I’ve gone without eating, and I doubt it’ll be the last.

Thirty minutes pass. I guess that means either they didn’t notice I wasn’t eating or they still just don’t care. Probably both. I don’t care though, I just want to get away from them. So I stay in my room and change into my pajamas. It's warm tonight so I’ll just wear a tank top and some shorts. I chose a navy blue tank top with a pair of black medium length shorts. I lay down and stare at my wall, I can’t lay on my back so tonight it’s the wall, trying to think of ways to escape this hell that is my life like I do most nights before I fall asleep. At least tomorrow’s Tuesday and I can escape from these people for a few hours. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk to Jake, I want to apologize for running away like I did. Obviously I can’t tell him the real reason why but I’ll come up with something. And with that, I drift to sleep.

6 o’ clock came too early this time, I don’t even know what time I went to sleep but it feels like I only slept about 3 hours. Not like I normally sleep much anyways. I do my normal morning routine. Get up, take a shower, get dressed, wash my face, brush my teeth, do my make-up, do my hair, and then try to rush out the door as quietly and as quickly as possible. I try to ignore the pain in my back, but it’s impossible. The pain is too great. Especially with my backpack rubbing against the wounds, courtesy of my father. My parents don’t wake up until a while after I’m gone, but there’s been moments when one or both of them has been up before. Sometimes I rush out as usual and sometimes they stop me and give me s**t about how I look or really anything they can think of to try to bring me down even more.

This morning I didn’t see them so it was straight out the door and not slowing down until I’m a couple blocks away and turned down another street so they couldn't see me. My cheek is still a little swollen but not very noticeable unless you look closely or pay too much attention to it.

I walk into Roberta’s cafe and am once again greeted with a smile. “Hey honey! How are you? The usual again?”

“Hey Roberta” I say with a genuine smile “yes please! That sounds great.” I don’t know how, but she always brings a genuine smile to my face. She’s one of the very few who can. I sit down at the table top down from the grill and she sets my coffin and muffin down in front of me.

Today it's coffee and a blueberry muffin. “You seem tired today sugar, so I added a little more of an energy kick to it to help you get through your day” she gives me a smile and a wink “I hope you like it, if not I’ll make you another. Just let me know honey.” “Thank you so much, I’m sure it’s delicious, as usual.”

As Roberta leaves to take care of some other customers I try the coffee. It’s delicious and just what I needed today. I’m not religious but I can’t help but think, ‘Thank god for Roberta’. I’m about halfway through my muffin when the bell on the door rings. I ignore it hoping it’s not my parents, or worse Damien, when I see someone sit next to me from the corner of my eye.

“How are the muffins here?” I relax as I realize it’s Jake. “They’re amazing, just like everything here. Roberta’s the best around.” “Oh honey you flatter me too much.” Roberta tells me as she’s walking by to take Jake’s order. “What can I get you sir?”

“I think I’ll just have what she’s having, it looks and smells delicious. Thank you.” “No problem honey” and with that Roberta gets started on his order.

Shortly after she brings it over and sets it down in front of him and then leans over to me and tells me, quiet so that the people sitting a few seats down from us can’t hear but so that Jake can, “He’s cute honey, you better snatch him up before someone else does.” and she leaves with a wink towards me.

“Gee thanks for the advice Roberta, real subtle too.” I smile and shake my head. “Sorry about her. You’ll get used to her and end up loving her just like almost everyone else does.”

“Almost everyone else?” He asks me. “Yeah the people who don’t like her, well most of them I would stay away from. Some of them aren’t very good people.” I take a bite of my muffin and then take a drink of my coffee when he says “like that guy from yesterday?” I shoot my head up to look at him, then I look back down at my coffee. “Yeah, like him.” I subconsciously rub my left arm where the bruise is still noticeable where Damien grabbed me.

I think he could somehow tell it made me a little uncomfortable so he started again “No worries about Roberta, I like her already, but you might wanna think about taking her advice.” I give him a small smile “oh you’d like that wouldn’t you, pretty boy?”

“Maybe I would” His facial expression says he’s toying with me. But his eyes, his eyes show something else. I can’t make out what exactly, but it’s somewhere around the lines of being a little serious, and maybe there’s a hint of protectiveness in there? As well as a little bit of joking around.

I look at the time and realize I’ve been here longer than usual. I grab my wallet from my purse and put $10 on the counter. I know it’s more than the muffin and coffee would be but I owe Roberta so much, not just for the food, but just in general.

“Isn’t that a little much for a cup of coffee and a muffin?” Jake asks me as I’m getting up from the seat. “Yes, but I owe Roberta so much for what she does for me, I want to show my appreciation somehow.” “Somehow I’m sure you show your appreciation to her a lot already.”

“Maybe. But I could never thank her enough.” “Well, then could I give you a ride?” “Nah, enjoy your muffin and coffee, thanks though, talk later?” “Yeah I’d like that.” We give each other a smile and I’m off. I know Roberta would never accept the money, especially more than what my bill would be, from me so while her back is turned I slip away and start walking to school.

Jake’s POV

Soon after she leaves Roberta turns around and starts heading my way. She starts looking for Sasha as she’s walking over.

“She left a couple minutes ago. But she left that for you, said she could never thank you enough for what you do for her.”

Roberta shakes her head with a small smile on her face. “Oh that girl never listens. I don’t need this from her, she takes care of me just like I do her, even if she doesn’t think she does. That poor girl.”

I don't think she meant to say that last part out loud, but I have to ask “poor girl? Why, may I ask?” Roberta looks surprised that I heard, which confirms my earlier assumption.

“She’s had it rough since she was little, like really rough. I feel bad for her and try to help her as much as I can, as much as she lets me. She’s like a daughter to me. But I’m sorry honey, it’s not my place to tell you.” Her eyes looked sad and glossed over a little bit while she was talking about Sasha. “That’s ok, I understand that.” “Now enough of that” She stiffens up her back a little, “Could I get you anything else hun?” And she’s back to what I’m assuming is her normal self. “No ma’am, thank you very much, I should actually be heading to school now.”

“Oh, handsome, responsible, and polite. How refreshing.” She smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back, I pay for my bill and leave a tip for Roberta and get in my car to head to school.

Sasha’s POV

I’m only about ten minutes away from the school now when a car pulls up beside me. “There you are baby” him again. “Go away Damien. Why can’t you just leave me alone?” “Oh you don’t mean that hot stuff. Why don’t you just jump in here and we can work this out?”

“Once again Damien, just leave me alone. I’m never going back to you, we’re done. For good. And I’m not getting in your ugly ass car.” I can see the anger growing in his eyes. His dark brown eyes are getting even darker. So I start to walk to school again, but he creeps alongside me in his car. I meant what I said about it too, it’s really an ugly car. He tries to make it look good and sound fast, but he’s ruined it. It wouldn’t be such a bad car if he didn’t touch it.

“Don’t talk about my car like that and get your ass in here right now!” “You used to be able to control me, but not anymore! Leave!” He pulls over ahead of me and I can see him taking off his seatbelt. I stop. The only thing I can think of to do is turn around and run. But when I turn around I see a car coming down the road, and when I look back at Damien I know he sees it too. He won’t do anything in front of witnesses usually, so as the car’s getting closer he looks back at me and tells me “this isn’t over. We’re only beginning, you’ll be back to me soon. Just you wait” and he gets in his car but he only drives up the block and turns down the next street. I know he’ll be waiting there for me so I just stand there trying to figure out what to do. The car is close enough that I can see who’s driving.

Jake pulls over next to me, I can see the hood of Damien’s car on the corner. “Hey are you ok?” “Hey, um yeah I’m ok, can I take you up on that ride now?”

“Absolutely, hop in.” I get in the car and Jake starts driving.

I look down the street that Damien’s at, he and I make eye contact and he sees that I’m in the car with another man. Now he’s even more furious and glaring at me. Jake notices me looking down the street and he follows. “Is that the guy from yesterday?”

“What? Oh. Uh yeah. It’s fine, just keep driving.” “I see anger, not only in his facial expression, but in his eyes and his body language as well. “Are you ok?” I ask him.

“Who is that guy? And why does it seem like it’s always trouble when he’s around you?”

“He’s nobody, it’s okay. Don’t worry about him. I can take care of it.” “Yeah, sure looked like it yesterday outside the cafe.” He said sarcastically. “Excuse me?” I can’t help but get irritated at his sudden change and I think he hears it in my voice. “I’m sorry. But it doesn’t seem like you have it under control or that you can take care of it. What’s going on Sasha?” He’s still irritated and I’m getting more irritated. “Look, thanks for the ride, and it seems like you want to help, but it’s not your damn business. I can take care of myself, I don’t need anyone's help okay? I don’t even know why you care, you barely even know me, we’ve only talked a total of what? Four times maybe?”

He stays silent after that.

We finally get to the school and we’re both getting out of the car, I look at him “Look, I’m sorry about how I reacted. Thanks for the ride.” Before he can say anything I walk away, ignoring all the glaring girls staring at me and the impressed looking guys looking at him.

I forgot that he’s in my first hour class with Mrs. Woods so I’m surprised when he walks in the door until I remember. He sits at the desk next to mine and we both just pay attention to class, well it seems like we’re both paying attention. I just sit there and think about earlier with Damien and then Jake.

Lisa texts me after 1st hour letting me know she’s sick and probably won’t be here the next few days but also reminding me of this weekend and telling me she has plans for me, so I’m all alone for now. I haven’t seen Chantelle around today yet, maybe she’s sick too. Or maybe she got suspended. That’d be f*****g great.

When lunch comes around I do what I normally do when Lisa’s not here. I skip the food and go out to the courtyard behind a tree to draw by myself. As I’m walking to the tree I see Chantelle’s main group glaring at me, maybe she actually did get suspended. And then I see Jake at a table with a bunch of other dudes, it didn’t take him long to find a group of friends. He turns his head and looks at me and gives me a small half smile before I look away and continue to my destination. Was that his way of telling me we’re cool? I hope so.

The rest of the day goes by without any major confrontations, probably thanks to Chantelle being suspended, but I’ve been operating on autopilot all day. I’m walking out of the school and I see Jake walking towards me.

“Hey, I just wanted to apologize about earlier. It isn’t my place to ask you what’s going on, especially not like I did.” I’m hesitant to accept his apology, wondering if there is an ulterior motive, but he seems like he’s being sincere. I’m just so used to expecting the worst from people. “It’s okay, apology accepted. I’m sorry again for how I reacted.” “You don’t need to apologize. Can I give you a ride home?” I look over his shoulder slightly, I have a habit of looking over my shoulder and constantly looking around thanks to my parents and Damien, but when I do I see Damien’s car parked across the street from the high school. My heart starts racing as I see Damien looking at me. I’m so screwed.

“Sasha?” “Huh?” I look back at Jake and he has a look of confusion. “I asked if you wanted a ride.” “Oh, uh thanks, but I'm going to have to pass. I have to go. Talk later?” I see Damien drive away. Yep, I’m definitely screwed. I start walking until I’m out of sight of the school’s courtyard and then I take off in a run. When I get home I’m surprised not to see Damien’s car in the driveway. I was sure he’d be here telling my parents about “the boy” I was talking to.