∞ THEN ∞
I heard the clanking noise of a bottle breaking. Fear crawled up my skin, and sweat broke out on my forehead. I knew what happened every time Mr Steve got angry. He would find me no matter where I hid, beat me senseless and . . . A shiver ran down my spine as I heard footsteps creeping closer and closer till they came to a halt in front of the bed.
My heart kicked into a gallop as a pair of knees came into my view. I heaved a sigh of relief at the familiar green eyes peeking at me.
"Come, angel." His deep voice rang in a panic. "He'll find you here. Quickly hide in the closet."I promptly grasped Knight's offered hand. He slid an arm around my waist and easily hefted me from under the bed.
My body shook uncontrollably as the cold air blew from the opened window. I rubbed my bare arms trying to ease out the goosebumps. Knight's hard eyes fixated on me and without a word he shrugged out of his jacket and slipped it around my shoulders.
Embarrassment flooded my cheeks as I realized how small I was compared to him; his jacket practically moped the dusty ground. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice.
His head swiveled to the door as Mr Steve's shrill voice filled the hallways. Knight deftly opened the closet. No words were exchanged between us. They weren't needed either. We both knew what roles we were supposed to play.
I hid inside the compact cupboard, cramming myself into the very corner so that there would be space left for Knight as well. But . . . he shook his head at me, offering a small sad smile and began closing the closet doors.
Horror slammed into me with a force so great I had to clutch the metal bars by my side. Yet I didn't say a word. I never did.
In the back of my mind, I heard the promise Knight had made to me a few months ago.
I will keep you safe, angel. No matter what.
I had no idea he meant that he would take the beatings meant for me. Get hurt because of me. Step into death's way just to save my miserable life.
That day, remaining quiet, I made the biggest mistake of my life.