~Natalia
I W OK E UP with a pounding headache. I sat up, which wasn't a good idea because I got pretty dizzy and fell back on whatever I was lying on. "She's awake!" I heard a voice yell. People started crowding around me, which made me feel uncomfortable. I quickly shut my eyes, still not knowing where I was - which freaked me out. A hand gently caressed my face, and I nearly sobbed at the feeling. I couldn't remember the last time someone was nice to me, and not because they were forced to.
A single tear ran down my face. The same hand that caressed my face gently wiped away my tear. "Are you in pain?" the voice asked as I shook my head. "What's wrong, princess-" Wait. That voice - it sounded familiar... wait a second. These are the guys that knocked me into my locker and brought me here! "Where am I?" I asked softly. "You're at the hospital, love," another deep voice said. I thought back to how I got here and remembered my father. He's going to punish me so much when he next sees me. He warned me that one of the worst things I could ever do is go to the hospital because he could get caught.
A wracked sob escaped my lips. I buried my face in my hands, letting my tears out. A male's arms wrapped around me and I buried my face into his neck. I didn't even know who he was, but his presence comforted me. "Calm down, love. Everything's going to be okay," he said soothingly. A let out a humorous laugh and shook my head. I looked up and saw one of the handsome guys I met earlier. He had brown hair and green eyes. "Things are never going to be okay," I said bluntly.
"What do you mean things will never be okay?" another guy asks. I looked up and saw the other three boys. Holy. They were all so much more handsome in close up. But they would never be interested in someone like me. I'm just a broken, useless girl. "It's...nothing," I said, looking away from them. I began to take out the tubes that were taped to my body when a hand covered mine. I peered up and saw the guy with wavy black hair and ice-blue eyes. "Oh really? Nothing? Then how do you explain all the scars and blood on your back? Huh? I didn't push you that hard, and even if I did, it couldn't have done that."
My eyes widened to the point where I thought they would fall out of my head. No no no no no... he saw my scars...he saw the blood... "Natalia? Natalia!" I voice yelled, shaking me out of a trance. The black-haired guy loomed over me. "Calm down," he said softly. I inhaled a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down as much as possible. "I'm Zane," he said. "This is Ash," he said, pointing to the guy with blonde hair and the leather jacket. "That's Mason," he said, pointing to the guy with light brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. "And that's Dariel," he said, pointing to the guy with dark brown hair and green eyes.
"Hi," I said nervously. Ash chuckled while Dariel smiled at me. Mason peered up at me and looked back down to the floor. I guess he was the quiet one out of the four of them. "Now, will you please answer my question?" Zane asked with a hint of annoyance. There is no way I would answer that question. I quickly pulled off the rest of the tubes before any of them had a chance to stop me. "Natalia. You can't just leave. The doctors are coming back. You need stitching and some pain reliever medicine," Dariel said. I laughed and shook my head.
"You guys will never understand my life, so I suggest you stay out of it. Don't pretend to care about me. No one does and no one ever will. I'm just a worthless brat... that's what everyone calls me." With that, I walked out the door and headed out of the hospital. I heard the sound of voices yelling and feet running, but I didn't stop. I ran until my lungs would burst out of my body. I looked around and saw a familiar street sign. Luckily, I was close to my house.
This scene contains thoughts of suicide, verbal and physical abuse. Please skip to the "~End of scene~" if you do not wish to read it.
Fear started to fill my body as I realized that my dad would be home by now. I rush into his house and sprint to my bedroom. "Oh Natalia... don't think you're getting away," he said creepily. I whimpered. "Where were you?" he asks, stepping into my bedroom. "I was at school," I replied innocently. Please work, please work.
"Stop lying to me bitch! I got a call from the hospital saying that my daughter was there!" he yelled. I tear ran down my face, which caused him to chuckle. "You remember what I told you about going to hospitals? You would get a major punishment," he said sadistically. I whimpered in protest, but he shook his head. "Now, now. No sounds, slut. You know the rules. Take off your shirt and pants." A strangled sob escaped my lips. This was going to hurt like hell, especially since my back was already damaged.
"Remember, this is all your fault. You're the reason why my wife died. You're pathetic. No one likes you, including me. You are a burden in my life, and I can't wait to plan your funeral." I sobbed uncontrollably. "Don't cry, whore. The fun is just getting started, he said as he brought his whip down on me.
I woke up the next morning full of agony. That was the worst beating I have ever received in my life. I could barely move a muscle in my body. I knew I had to get up, or I would face another load of consequences. I stood up and screamed in pain. I felt dried blood all over my body. Last night was a nightmare. I stiffly and painfully walked into the washroom and looked into the mirror. My back and legs were a bloody mess and. My stomach held a thick, red line that had dried blood along with it as well.
I slowly turned on the water and stepped in. I screamed in agony at the pain in my body. I wish I was dead. I wish there was a place where for once, I felt safe. My thought drifted towards Zane, Dariel, Ash and Mason. When I was in Dariel's arms, I felt safe and cared for, but it would never be true. There was never a happy ending for someone like me.
~End of Scene~
I wrapped my arms around myself and sobbed quietly. I stayed there for a good five minutes until coming out. I took out the rest of the soft, cotton material I used wrapped it around my legs, stomach and back. I took a deep breath and reached for my towel. I wrapped it around my body and headed to the living room. I knew my dad was at work, so I felt a bit safer. There was a not on the dining room table. I reached for it, ignoring the agony in my limbs and read the message.
I hope you enjoyed last night, Natalia.
I had so much fun.
I will not be home for a week. My work decided to give me a promotion and put me on a trial run.
Don't mess this up, slut, or there will be much more consequences than what happened last night.
~ Me
I could have screamed in joy. My dad was gone for an entire week! I knew I still had to go to school, but I was feeling a bit happier - a feeling I hadn't felt for a long time. I slipped into a comfortable tracksuit that wouldn't affect the bruising.
I carried my backpack in my hand and headed out to school. I had to google map the destination of my school again since I hadn't memorized the route yet. Once I arrived, I avoided people as much as possible, trying to make sure that no one touched me. Every time I moved, my body hurt. I slowly opened my locker and put my backpack inside when I felt four figures behind me. I turned around to see none other than Dariel, Ash, Mason and Zane.