A hard kick connects with my jaw and I fall to the tiles, my face throbbing, blood trailing down my nose. Behind me, I hear mom screaming, but she does nothing, she never does anything.
" Tell me what you were doing in the station?! " He drags his arm back and his fist connects with my nose, blood spraying to stain the tiles.
" Stop it Richard! That's your son! "
" You sure? Coz I damn well don't believe that! " He stares back at me, his eyes conveying hatred. " Do you know how much convincing we had to do when Veronica died? Now you want to lodge yourself into one of their dramas? Like hell you must be insane! " He crosses over my broken form, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Mom drops down beside me as the door locks from outside. That's what he does, beat me and then lock us in so no one would know anything.
" Jasher? Honey, speak to me, " mom pleads, brushing my hair off my bloodstained face.
" I'll kill him. I swear. "
She shushes me. " Don't say that! I know you're upset but he's your father - "
" No he isn't! Don't you dare say that. "
I slip off my jacket, placing it around her fragile shoulders as she curls into a ball next to me. He will pay, I promise. No one hurts my mom and lives to tell the tale.
" It's okay, " she soothes. " You don't have to worry. The sheriff has declared the murder as an animal attack. "
That jolts me to reality. I peer up at mom with furrowed brows, my mind furiously calculating. What the hell is that nuisance up to? First he starts questioning Lizzie for murder, now he's ruling it as an attack?
Okay. Two can play that game.
A strong wind blows the curtain open and I rush over to shut it. Mom musn't get cold, no matter what.
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