My father is leaning against the wall without a care in the world. He doesn't even try to help my mother or fake looking relieved like my first-class actress of a mother, he just looks annoyed. The doctor escorted them into my room which tells me she doesn't suspect them as my abusers. I glare at her in anger, as she looks between us confused and surprised. "Where is the police?" I ask as I fold my arms in front of my chest. My father stands straighter and my mother looks towards him in panic, he glares at her for her to stay calm.
I am sixteen and a half I do not have to leave with them, as soon as I am discharged, I will go to court and get emancipated. The doctor looks at our exchange in confusion, she narrows her eyes suspiciously. "They just got here and are on their way up. Your parents were worried for you, they came every day and stayed all day next to your bed. Why do you not greet them?" she asks but by the tone in her voice, I understand she suspects something.
Good, at least now I know she is not that oblivious to the growing tension in the room. I can see the panic in my mothers' eyes grow making her hands shake uncontrollably and the doctor notices also. My father's anger starts to show in his expression, he glares at my mother every time her shaking would attract the attention of the nurses and the doctor, but it doesn't scare me. That crippling fear I felt every time I was near them has dissipated, I am not afraid of them anymore, the girl they use to beat died.
Literally! I will never let them have so much control over me ever again. "Can we have some privacy with our daughter?" my father asks or more so demands as the door to my room opens. Two officers walk in with pads and pens in hand. My mother nearly fainted when they opened the door and I smirk, it's good to finally see fear in her expression other than hatred. "No." I hiss in anger, why will they not let me be? I wash my hands like 'Poncio Pilato' of them, I will not care for them again, let their blood be over their own heads.
I can't stand to be in the same room with them as it is, I will not give them the chance to hurt me worse or threaten me. "Miss Sandoval, I am officer Ramirez, and this is my partner Officer Cortez. We are the ones in charge of this investigation. Can you tell us what happened?" he asks shaking my hand and opening the pad. I turn towards the window, giving everyone my back. "You might want to start by arresting them." I say. "Who?" Officer Cortez asks ready to charge.
"My parents." I answer and turn towards them. I shake my head, chuckling when no one moves. I walk towards my bed and sit on my freshly made bed. "They are the ones that gave me the beating that landed me in here." I say and wait for them to move even though I have a feeling they will not. My parents know better than to run, if they do, they are confirming what I have just said. No one moves for a while as I stare at everyone waiting for someone to act in my defense.
I chuckle humorlessly and stare at the police. I can feel my anger brewing higher as the time passes. I nod at no one and accept that no one will move. "If you will not do anything, then take them out right now." I grit in anger and close my eyes. I need to reign in my anger, or they will just think I'm a bitter child and lying through my teeth. I will not speak if they are in here, that they can count on. The police stare at me for a couple of seconds trying to call my bluff, they will not find any.
I'm not kidding; I am done being the good girl, they need to leave before I snap and catch myself a case along with them. My parents are escorted out kicking and screaming. They keep spewing lies of how much they love me, how scared they were when I disappeared on them only to be found by the river almost dead and how they have the right to be there for me. They both look livid as the door closes in their faces, they start making calls as soon as they took their phones out.
"Now, can you tell us what happened the night you were found by the river?" Officer Ramirez asks and waits for my answer. I close my eyes and sigh, "I was walking home from work and was stopped by one of my mother's lovers. He has been after me and trying to get into my pants since I turned thirteen. I kicked him in his groin because he started groping me and would not let go of me. I ran home and my parents were hosting a party."
"I decided to crash somewhere else but when I turned, I heard the front door open and my mother walk out…" I explain everything to them in detail. They didn't interrupt me until I finished, "Your parents spoke to us when they were called once your information was entered into the system. Nothing you say adds up to anything they said." Officer Cortez says frowning not buying anything I say. I smile at her, "Did you think they were going to make it easy for you?" I ask sarcastically, what did they expect from child abusers?
I can see the minute what I said registered into her tiny brain, the vein on her forehead started pulsing letting me know she didn't like it and her face started turning red in anger.