Unraveled

Chapter Two: The women's center

Through the small c***k of the closet door, she saw her uncle and his wife, he was pulling her by her hair and beating her. His wife was crying and begging him to stop, he didn't, he only got more aggressive.Sam couldn't really understand what was going on, she was only nine and all she could do was watch while crying silently. In that moment Laura her cousin walked in on her parents she was sobbing begging her dad to stop beating her mom, she tried stopping him, he pushed her and started yelling again "You were planning on leaving me, again!! Are you out of your f*****g mind? Jasmine cried "I'm sorry, no, I won't leave you!!… Please, just stop" " You think I'll let you?! You w***e!! Last time you did I went and begged you and your family and took you back, this time it won't go like that."

Sam woke up by the sound of her phone alarm, startled and panting. Beads of sweat were already formed on her forehead, her body was drenched as well. It was already 6:00 a.m. and she doesn't remember falling asleep on the couch, she stretched her now sore neck and limbs and got up to go to the bathroom, 30 minutes later she was already dressed in her dark jeans and a simple navy blue shirt, she had her hair down showing off her beautiful soft waves and wearing her black boots. She looked at herself one last time in the mirror and walked to the living room to get her notes.

She reached Diana's house by 7:00 a.m. and called her to open the door. By the look of her she knew her friend just woke up. "You got less than 30 minutes to get ready, GO!! Sam warned Diana.

"What!! We still got an hour and you know I need more than 30 minutes to get ready!!"

"Well, you should not have overslept."

"Ugh!! You are so irritating in the morning!!" said Diana while rushing to her closet.

"Awwww I love you too D!" Sam said while laughing. They went through what they'll say and discuss at the center while Diana was putting on her red Ruffles shirt and sliding in her white jeans.

They got to the women's Center at 7:55. With 5 minutes to spare they grabbed a coffee from the coffee stand across the street. Today will be the third time they hold the lecture at the center and once they entered the hall, they noticed that the number of women has increased. Sam remembered the first time there were only eight women, half of them were skeptical about what both detectives were doing there. The second time there were four more women and this time there were at least 20! That made her happy, well at least her version of happy, it meant they were doing a good job that the women were telling others about it.

As always Diana began welcoming everyone since she was the more social one. She introduced herself and Sam to the new faces and started the lecture with a woman empowering speech about their rights and when to say no and enough is enough, she also reminded them that there is always someone who is willing to help them, they should reach out to them. By the end of her speech everyone was interested and concentrating on every word like it was their first time knowing these things.

Sam zoned out again, she was actually remembering how she herself didn't know nor believed that there was someone who will stand by her and support her. She was brought back by the clapping going around the room and she knew it was her turn.

She was confident yet nervous, she knows how most of the women in front of her feel. Clearing her throat she gained everyone's attention, a sad smile was appearing on her face "As you all know, there are a lot of voices out there that have been silenced and it is our job to let these voices be heard. I am going to share a story with you that as sad as it is, it must be heard! …" She noticed how a lot of the women shuffled in their seats, but one in particular drew her attention. It was a petite blonde hair, fair skin gir,l she had dark bags under her eyes and a void look on her face. Sam saw her enter the Hall while Diana was giving her speech. Surprisingly she was alone, most women come to the center with a friend. The girl was looking straight at her no emotions shown whatsoever.

" … then he tried to kill her! Luckily she was fast and brave. She grabbed one of the empty beer bottles and smashed it to his head, then she ran while calling the cops. She was lucky! Yes, even after all she's been through, she was lucky. She was so afraid of what people would say! The first time he beat her, she convinced herself it was her fault, but that only made him do it again! And eventually tried killing her. No one should go through that, and no one just changes magically from beating someone to loving them. Don't let it come to this! Please help each other by supporting each other. It is never your fault, no matter what! And please, always report any kind of mistreatment." Few women where in tears, so she gave a moment for everyone to collect themselves.

Diana stood up thanking everyone and asked them to take the pencil and paper they have under their chairs. "I want everyone of you lovely ladies to write whatever you want or feel at this moment. No names needed, just what you really want to write. You can then choose either to read it out loud or to fold it and put it in the box right over there" she said with her soft voice pointing at the box at the right side of the room. Sam found herself focusing on the blonde girl again she doesn't know why but she was surprised that the girl was writing, maybe she gave a 'not interested in whatever you're saying' vibe and maybe Sam was wrong. A few minutes later and everyone was done. Only a couple chose to speak while the others folded their papers and put them in the box, including the Blondie, she then exited the hall. Sam followed her just as she was closing the door.

"Hey! Thank you for coming. There is still the 'how to defend yourself' class, it's fun as much as it is important." Sam was never a talkative person she would always make things awkward. The blondie's face turned red and was debating whether to answer her or just keep going.

" I'm sorry… but… but I have to go" The girl stuttered, she sounded so fragile!

"It will only be 20 more minutes." Sam had this feeling in her gut that this girl needs help.

"No… r really I …I got to go, I …I have some something to… to do. Tha …thank you. Bbye" and she ran off. Sam went back in, and continued the rest of the meeting with determination on showing these women how to become even more powerful, but still that girl's image was on her mind.