“Deal.” I shook his hand and he lead me to the back where it took a few hours and a lot of pain to finally finish it.
“Can I ask you why you drew this?” Ben hardly spoke the entire time he was tattooing me. I had a feeling he knew there was a story to this tattoo and that surprised me.
“It was a tree that felt like home and my little bird decided to fly away from it instead of staying with me.” It was the best I could do to explain it. It still was painful to think of what Madison did to us. Even though we are young, I always thought Madison was my forever. She was the only one who ever made me feel like I had a home and I’m not talking about the Montgomery’s house. Through the foster homes before theirs and the ones after, I never felt like I was at home. Whenever I was near Madison, I felt like I finally found my home. She brought out the real me where I wasn’t afraid to hide my feelings on being abandoned. I was able to talk to her with ease and there was never a day that went by that I didn’t want to be around her. She made me feel like I had a purpose and she destroyed all that in one night.
Ben just nodded while he bandaged me up. I respected that he took my explanation as what it was and didn’t ask any questions. He was someone I can see myself getting along with, so I promised him I will definitely come back next Saturday night.
For a few weekends, I would sneak over every night at the same time and sketch him drawings for his clients. Word got out and some people were even requesting me to draw up their ideas. I loved doing it and it was the only time I was happy. I got to do something I love that people would have permanently marked on them, forever having my art. I could honestly see myself wanting to do this for a living and hopefully Ben one day will teach me how to. Things were finally starting to look up until the next weekend that is.
It was a usual Saturday night. I waited for everyone to fall asleep to sneak out my window and down the tree. I did just that, but was met with Mr. Dolan waiting in the dark at the bottom.
“The boys said they kept seeing someone running at night and look at that, they were right.” I didn’t know what to say, but just nodded. There was no point in denying it, I was caught red handed.
“Come on.” Surprisingly that is all that was said, but my gut was saying it was the calm before the storm.
I followed him into the house and he gestured me down to the basement. I didn’t want to be kicked out again, so I went down the stairs without questioning what we were doing. As soon as I got off the last step, all I heard was a heavy thump before darkness filled my eyes.
“Wake up!” It sounded like Mr. Dolan screaming, but with my ears ringing and my eyes heavy to the point I could barely open them, I wasn’t sure. I was confused as to what was happening until I opened my eyes fully.
I was in only my boxers and laying on a bare mattress. I tried to get off it, but my arms and legs were bound by chains. It was completely dark besides the lantern Mrs. Dolan was holding. I started to feel the panic rise in me and I feared what was going to come next.
“I swear get me the fuck out of these chains right now!” I yelled and my head repaid me by thumping louder.
“Dear child, you don’t even know.” Mrs. Dolan said while Mr. Dolan stormed up the stairs.
“I don’t know what?” I was so confused as to what was even going on and why I was chained up.
“We agreed to foster you in hopes that you were a decedent of Saint Jude the Apostle, but based on your behavior and the mark of Satan on your side, we know that we need to release the Devil inside you to free you.” I thought I’ve seen crazy, but this woman is on a totally different planet.
“I was named after a Beatle song when they found me! That mark is a tattoo that many people in this world have. Listen, I think you honestly need help. Just let me go, ok?”
“Sorry, but we now know why God put you in our path and that is to save you.” Without another word, she turned and headed back upstairs. I never felt so confused and lost in my entire life.
I spent what seemed like a whole day down here on this mattress. There was no windows, so I couldn’t tell how much time passed besides going off of the footsteps I heard upstairs. When I couldn’t hear anyone walking anymore, I figured it must be eight o’clock. I feared what was going to happen tonight. They were mentally ill if they thought they were doing the right thing by chaining me down here.
I started to feel drowsy and right when I closed my eyes I heard foot steps coming towards the basement door. It was both Mr. and Mrs. Dolan. He was carrying a whip, while she was holding a bible and a bottle of Holy Water. I never prayed to God before on my own will, but right now I prayed to him I would survive whatever they had in mind.
“You son have been possessed by Satan. He has marked you and your actions support it.”
Crack
Crack
The whip came down on my bare back and it was a pain I never felt
