The spoiled brats I called friends even had a stocked fridge and electricity in their treehouse! So, while Riff and Char gamed, Claire drank tea while Marissa made coffee, and half the other kids watched a movie. A few were on the ground starting a fire, including Dakota, while Rebel and Dare played card games at the table. With a smile, I sketched a few of them, wanting to capture the essence of their poses since I could add details later. I enjoyed seeing them this way, at ease and having fun. It was like the pleasant atmosphere pulled whatever Kyler did to me out, leaving only me behind. Without that black smoke in my soul, I was at peace and relaxed. Hopefully, I could prevent him from doing whatever he did again. Even if it only surfaced around him, how long would it be before I lashed out at someone else?
That night, Ky wasn’t waiting for me in the forest. Instead, the pain I feared assailed me, and I groaned. It rose to new heights, and a scream tore from my throat before I could stop it. My vision went black while I curled in a ball on the ground, having fallen off the rock. When it faded, I coughed harshly, pulling my hand from my mouth only to find blood on my palm. Swallowing, I grimaced at the taste of copper in my mouth and tried to wipe away the tears and mud on my cheeks. Stupid dirt mingling with the damn wetness on my face. Stupid eyes for leaking. Woman the fuck up! And, hey, it’s proven that giving birth is the second most painful thing you can experience in life. The first is being burned alive, so woman up.
Visit from an Old Friend
After a while, I gave up on Ky and returned home to sleep. Instead, I was up most of the night, whimpering, crying, and trying not to scream as the pain became worse and worse. Eventually I passed out and slept for a few hours. Still, my eyes or rather my eye that wasn’t black now looked it because of my lack of sleep.
However, my horrible night became a distant thought as soon as I read my email. Gasping, I replied and raced to the door. As soon as I opened it, he barreled into my arms, and I broke down crying while hugging the most important person in my life. “Hi, Angel,” Matty giggled, holding his new bear in a tight hug. While other eight-year-olds might feel embarrassed to be seen with a teddy bear, Matty didn’t care what other people thought. My face almost split because of how wide I smiled, but it would have been worth it.
“How have you been, Matty?” I asked, ushering him and Tammy to my table. I went to find the makings of breakfast, but she ordered me to sit and spend time with Matty instead. Chuckling, I obeyed with a bright smile, while Tammy scrambled some eggs that Marcus snuck into my fridge. Ah, well, I’ll scold him for it. Eventually. For the moment I was too happy because Matty was here.
A few moments later, there was a soft knock on my door, and I frowned when I opened it to reveal a certain devil. “You put eggs in my fridge?” I hissed, and his worried expression turned into a broad grin.
“Now, how did you discover that?” He asked with amusement glittering in his eyes. Raising his nose, he quirked his brow. “Have company, do we?” Squealing with excitement, I pulled a shocked Marcus into my house to stand him before Matty.
“Whoa… you’re like a giant,” Matty breathed, his eyes wide with awe. “Can I be as big as you when I grow up?”
“Well, do you eat your vegetables?” Marcus asked, resting on his heels, so he was closer to Matty’s level. Matty nodded with a solemn expression.
“Yeah. Angel has enough to worry about. I make sure I eat right, so she knows I’m healthy. Angel doesn’t have a balanced or even steady diet, though, so I think about her often and hope she’s okay,” Matty admitted in a shy voice. I’ve never seen him bashful, so his words and actions blew me away.
“I’m okay, Matty, I promise,” I chuckled. “But I love that you care so much.” I missed him, but I didn’t like that he worried about me instead of enjoying his youth. Poor kid suffered enough as it was. He didn’t need to worry his childhood away.
“Did you buy the bear?” Matty asked of Marcus, meeting his gaze and holding it with a frown.
“Yes, Angel wanted to, but she intended to return for it later. So, I bought it before she could worry about budgeting or anything,” Marcus replied solemnly.
“Good. I like you. Keep taking care of Angel for me, okay? At least until I’m old enough to do it myself. I always worry about her. She’s a fighter, but she won’t protect herself. Dad beat her, did she tell you?” Matty asked, his posture and tone making him seem so much older than a mere boy.
“Matty,” I gasped, and he glanced at me. However, his eyes went from warm to stone cold when he returned his gaze to Marcus.
“I sense that you are what she needs to keep her safe. If you fail, I won’t forgive you,” Matty declared coldly, and
