Walking away

The room was black. I extended a hand for the switch, but the light didn’t come on. Tears poured down my eyes and the fear formed into panic when I realized I wasn’t in my bedroom. I stood only to fall back down. My breath got shorter and shorter while I curled into a ball in the corner. Taking in my surroundings in series of quick glances, I seemed to be in every teenage girl's dream room. There was a bed with a huge white cover hanging down the side, throw pillows placed perfectly, and a light pink blanket in the corner. White led lights climbed up the walls as greenery twisted around them. On the far end of the room there were bookshelves full of brand new colorful books, a white vanity desk, and a standing mirror with hollywood lights going all the way around it. To the right of the door there were two sliding mirrors hiding what seemed to be a closet. As my head kept turning my eyes stopped when I realized I wasn’t the only one in the room! A teenage boy was sitting in a clear hanging chair with a golden chain connecting it to the ceiling in the corner, staring at me with curious eyes.

“WHO ARE YOU?” I screamed but he didn’t answer. I looked closer at his scar covered face. Are those burns?

“What happened to your face?” I asked. He quickly turned his head to the right, hiding the scar's existence.

“Where am I?” A throbbing pain struck through my head, my hand immediately reached up in response. “Ow,” I cried; my fingers finding a bloody gash.

“Are you ok?” the boy asked, leaning closer. 

What happened? Where am I?

I tried to think over the last day, the last few hours, but my brain was foggy. A man flashed in my thoughts-

I realized the man who kidnapped me had black hair and brown eyes, and this boy has brown hair and green eyes. 

Maybe they took him too?

“My head It-It’s bleeding,” I whispered.

“Dad, get in here!” he shouted, concerned. It felt as though he was screaming right into my ear.

“Dad?” I noted. He definitely wasn’t kidnapped. He was watching me! Then a man walked into the room.

“You're the one who took me,” I mumbled. 

“What's the matter, Levi?” he asked.

“Why is she bleeding? Help her now!” He demanded while pointing towards me. The man turned around and bolted out the door. He came back with a first aid kit tucked into his arms.

“Here, Levi,” the deep voice said, handing him the blue case. “You get to fix her,” he said firmly. The man left again, but this time he didn’t come back. Why would he abduct me but not want anything to do with me? This wasn’t just any normal kidnapping. No movie could prepare me for this. A fluffy white blanket fell out of the hanging chair when he stood up, but he clearly cared more about my gash than the blanket. He walked over to me in four short steps and bent down onto his knees. Opening the blue first aid kit, he swiftly grabbed stuff to stitch me up and some tissues. He cautiously extended his arm toward me. My eyes widened, and I jerked away in fear. But he didn’t take no for an answer, he scooted closer and tried again. Tears poured down my eyes as if he was trying to kill me. I felt somewhat relieved when I looked into Levi’s pure eyes.

“It’s ok. I’m not gonna hurt you, I promise,” he smiled.

My eyes flinched when his cold hand met my head. He was surprised when the needle piercing my skin didn’t hurt me, but I have felt worse pain than this. My entire body pressed up against the wall when he quickly stood on his feet and rushed out of the room. I took one more look around the room seeing if there was anything that could help me escape. This time I found huge navy letters spelling my name, Jade. This wasn’t just a coincidence; I was targeted! Hunter came back into the room, a glass of water and some ibuprofen in his hand.

“Here this should help,” he told me as he handed me two capsules. Oddly, I felt safe. I chugged the water, and it carried the capsules down my throat.

“I’m sure you want to get cleaned up. The bathroom’s right there,” he said, pointing across the room. For a second, I forgot I had blood running down my arm, back, and head. Pushing myself up with my arms, I fell onto the wall. Levi immediately grabbed my arm to support my weight. 

“Are you ok?” his smooth voice asked.

“I’m fine,” I said while trying to walk, but he didn’t let go. We walked all the way to the bathroom. White tiles invited me in.

“The towels are here, and the washcloths are over there,” he pointed at each. “Oh, and I’ll put you some fresh clothes on your bed.” 

“O-ok,” I said, my voice cracking. He gracefully turned in one motion and walked out the door. “I’ll give you some privacy.” 

And with that, I was alone. Finally, It all felt so surreal. Everything in me screamed to escape. But instead, I slid off my skinny jeans and took off my blood covered shirt that would never be white again. I hated the huge mirrors hanging everywhere. I was too ashamed to look at the bruises that constantly covered my body. I put one foot in the shower then the other finding only shampoo and conditioner laying out. The heated water relaxed my muscles and opened my mind. 

I don't wanna go back home.

The thought struck me as soon as it flitted through my mind. I should be scared! I should be begging for my release. But, I felt safe. I felt wanted. What am I doing?

The water grew cold as I wrestled with my thoughts still unsure about this entire situation. 

 I squeezed the water from my hair and wrapped a towel around my body. A cold breeze rolled up my bare arms when I opened the door. Levi’s eyes peaked out from the hanging chair once again, and immediately dropped to the bruises up my arms and legs.

“What happened to you?” He asked with a wrinkled forehead.

“It doesn't matter,” I hissed with teary eyes. I ran to the bathroom after grabbing the pair of red and black sweatpants with a grey sweatshirt that spelled flawless in black letters that Levi had laid out for me. My sweatpants were already on in two seconds. I was surprised that it was a perfect fit. I put the soft fleece-lined sweatshirt around my neck  and slid both arms in. This time when I walked out of the bathroom Levi’s eyes didn’t greet me, instead I heard his voice outside of the door. I slowly walked towards the cracked door to hear what they were saying .

“Why did you kidnap her?” Levi questioned.

“I didn't. I saved her,” his dad’s deep voice replied. My entire body froze and hope struck through my body, and I started crying again.

“What are you talking about?” Levi asked, confused.

“Her dad is an old colleague of mine. He became an alcoholic and has abused her since her mom died when she was eight .”

He explained how my dad kicked them out of our lives after he didn’t support my dad’s drinking habits, and how when he stopped by our house the other day to see if he’d changed, he saw my dad hitting me. I had lost my balance when he struck and hit my head on the corner of our coffee table. I ran to my room with the walls closing in, and then I woke up here. It all came crashing back into my memory! That's when he took me to give me a chance at a better life. 

So they are helping me?

Tears kept streamed down my face, and I thanked God I was safe and walked out of the door. Both of their eyes turned towards me, including a woman I hadn’t met yet. Her long blonde hair twirled through the air and onto the white tank she had covered with a pink cardigan that fell to her knees. Her ripped shorts revealed her perfectly tan lags. I wish my legs looked that way.

“Well hello there, sweetie. You must be hungry,” her welcoming voice said while pointing to a plate with a homemade burger, some fries, and a glass of water.

That looks amazing!

The nameless man kindly grabbed the white plate with blue flowers and started walking towards me. I cowered down when the memory of my dad, using me as his punching bag flashed through my mind. He immediately stopped in response.

“It’s ok; you're safe now,” he promised. I extended my hand after taking a couple steps closer. Placing the tray in my hands he immediately backed away, making me feel safer.

“Adam, why don't you and Levi give us some privacy,” the lady urged.

Now he has a name, Adam. 

Adam and Levi walked into another room finally giving me a chance to look around.  I was in a beautiful modern living room surrounded by windows. A blue otaman in the middle of the floor popped against the white couch looking towards a tv over the black fireplace. Walking towards the couch my feet stepped onto a soft grey and white diamond carpet. I sunk into the couch as I scarfed down the freshly made food. The cold water satisfied the back of my dry throat.

“Can I get you anything Jade?” the lady questioned. 

“No,”I replied, still confused.

“I’m Bailey, Levi’s mom,” she informed me.

Mom!?

Having no more tears to cry, I looked down remembering what it was like to have a mom.

“Thank you for rescuing me!” I said. 

“You're welcome,” she kindly said. 

“ Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, sweety, you can ask me anything.”

“What happened to Levi's face?” curiosity burned inside of me. 

“ He was caught in a house fire when he was two, After his mom overdosed on pills,” she explained.

So those are burns.

“Wait, so you're not Hunter's real mom,”the interrogation continued.

“No, we rescued Hunter as well,” she explained. “ We want to give kids like you guys the life they deserve.” She continued.

“You don’t deserve anything he’s done to you, which is why we would like you to come live with us so you can have the life every teenage girl should have,” Ms. Bailey delicately said.

You mean I’ll never have to go back to my room that only has a mattress on the floor!

“Yes,” I didn’t have to think twice.

“I’m sure your dad is gonna miss you,” Ms. Bailey replied.

He won’t miss me; he’ll miss having somebody to blame all of his mistakes on.

“I’m positive, I never want to go back to that place again,” I confidently said.

“Ok I’ll get my friend Officer Louis to tell your dad tomorrow.” 

After everything he's done to me, I deserve to be able to stand up to him for once.

“No, I want to,” I told her.

“O-oh ok, I guess you can.”

“Can we meet tomorrow at a diner with Officer Louis?” I questioned.

 He would never hurt me in front of an officer...at least I don’t think he would.

Yes, of course sweetie, but are you sure you want to see him again?” 

“I’m sure,” I replied. A rose gold flip clock caught the corner of my eye announcing that it was 6:00PM, but my full stomach and tired body disagreed.

How is it only 6:00! It feels like midnight.

My eyelids blinked slower and slower each minute.

“Do you want to go to bed? You look really tired.”

My mouth would no longer form words. I could only shake my head up and down. I walked to the room. I threw the huge white cover to the other side of the bed revealing the black bed sheets. I hopped into bed and wrapped the warm cover around me.

I woke up to the sun peeping out of the blinds and shining in my eyes. A dark blue clock on the wall beside the door said it was 8:00 in the morning. 

Did I really fall asleep that quick? I haven’t slept that good since...mom.

I curiously looked through a white dresser found inside the mirrored closet. I took out a pair of black ripped jeans and a black t-shirt, then I found a blue, white, and black flannel to conceal my bruised arms. I curled my long brown hair with a curling wand I found in one of the bathroom drawers, brushed my teeth, and put on some bright white shoes. Taking a deep breath I walked across the room and walked out the door. My mouth uncontrollably grinned when I saw Levi looking at me like I was a model. 

Nobody’s ever looked at me that way.

“Good, you're up. Are you hungry?” Ms. Bailey asked.

“Yes,” I replied with my stomach agreeing.

“Here,” she said while handing me a plate with blueberry pancakes, eggs, and bacon on it.

“Thank you.” I said happily, 

I feel like I really am their daughter.

The overwhelming joy made me smile until I remembered I was confronting my dad today. After we were all done eating, Ms. Bailey took all the dishes to the sink and started washing them and Mr. Adam disappeared.

“Jade and I are gonna take off mom, we’ll be back in a little bit?” Levi informed me.

“Ok, be safe,” She replied. 

Levi grabbed my hand and led me out the door. 

Where is he taking me, should I be scared.

But there was no fear in sight. We walked in complete silence for a block until I heard Levi say, “Were here.” 

Looking up from the concrete under my feet a beautiful overview of mountains met my gaze. 

Wow! Mountains stacked on top of mountains, you could see every lake, every mistake in the mountains.

“See even with every imperfection it’s still beautiful, just like you,” Levi said with blushing cheeks.

Why is he being so nice to somebody like me? He must want something.

Putting on a fake smile I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Thank you, but you don’t have to lie to me.”

An instant frown came upon his face. “I’m not lying. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

Could he really mean it?

Once again he grabbed my hand but this time he started running. “Wait. Hold up,” I yelled.”

“I have something else I want to show you.” He said without looking back. In two seconds we were already back at the house, but Levi didn’t stop. He flung the door wide open and led me to a wooden closet in the dining room. Shuffling through everything in the drawers, he pulled out an old newspaper.

“This is my story,” he said while placing the paper in my hand. 

As my eyes started to read the first line, there were three knocks at the front door. My head turned quickly in fear that he’d found me. 

“That must be officer Louis,” Bailey said, opening the door revealing she was right.  The intimidating man stepped into the door staring straight at me.

“You must be Jade,” his deep voice said.

“Y-yea,” my voice stuttered 

“Good, I‘m Officer Louis. I’m here to escort you to your dad.” 

I quickly looked at Ms. Bailey then Levi in question.

“He’s gonna make sure your dad doesn’t try anything,” she reassured me. Relief struck through my body knowing I wouldn’t be doing this alone. So I gave the newspaper back to Levi and Ms. Bailey walked me out the door towards Officer Louis’s car. After buckling my seat belt I closed my eyes thinking about how this was gonna go down.

Will he try to kidnap me back? Will he try to hurt me or put something in my drink?

I took a deep breath when Ms. Bailey grabbed my hand telling me it was gonna be ok. Before I knew it, we were pulling up. My heart started to beat faster, and my breath got shorter. 

“Do you want me to go in with you or stay in the car?” Ms. Bailey questioned. 

“Come,” I demanded

We all went through the line keeping our eyes open for my dad, but he was late as usual. I ordered fries, Officer Louis ordered water, and Ms. Bailey got an entire plate of ribs. Ms. Bailey and officer Louis sat at a table across from me to make sure my dad didn’t run. After thirty minutes of waiting at a wooden table  he finally came stumbling into the door.

“Thank you so much for coming home, I’ve been so worried,” He fibbed. 

“Cut the crap dad, this isn’t a reunion. This is a goodbye,” I hissed.

“What do you mean,” his confused face said.

“You’ll never see me again...ever.”

“Please I’ll do anything to get you back,” my dad begged.

You liar!

I stood up and shouted, ”You could have just lost mom, but you had to push everybody else away including your own daughter.” 

“Mr. Davis, you're under arrest for domestic violence,” Officer Louis said. A weight lifted off my chest.

I’m free!

“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in court,” he continued to read my dad his rights.

“Goodbye, dad,” I said, turning around and walking off.

The End