Chapter Text
It's already started. Not even an hour into settling in, and it's already started. I haven't even unpacked what little things I have. Not that I'd expected any different. Just because he's been in a good mood, just because he got a new, higher paying job, doesn't mean he's any different from the man he's been for the past seven years. New job, new town, new house, same old Paul.
I'm not even sure what I've done this time. Nothing probably. And if it was something, probably nothing bad enough to warrant this reaction. But I just stand here waiting for him to finish shouting. Sometimes he wants a reaction, sometimes he doesn't, it's always 50/50 and I have no way of predicting what time is which.
So I just stand here like an idiot, expecting it when it comes but reeling from the pain anyways when he punches me in the jaw. I go down hard, falling on my backside and banging my head against the empty nightstand, just taking blow after blow as he rains down on me.
Normally, Paul'll leave me be for the most part if I'm in my room, opting to just ignoring my entire presence. I guess that doesn't apply to this new house.
"Stupid kid," he mutters as he turns and leaves, only after a well placed kick to my stomach.
I guess his good mood is changing him a bit, if only temporarily. Normally he'd beat me black and blue before calling it a day. Coughing a bit, I get to my feet.
I've got to get out of this house. As long as he's here, I know I can't be. Maybe I can come back tomorrow when he's off at work but for the time being I think it's best I make myself scarce.
I can't go downstairs and through the door like a normal person though, and risk Paul's good mood wearing thin, but I've got to get out of this house.
Glancing at my window I begin to wonder. Looking out of it, it doesn't even seem that high off the ground. And there's a bunch of bushes right underneath it. I can make that. Easy peasy.
Going back into my room I go over to my suitcase - the single bag I need to carry all my personal belongings in - and open it.
I take out my purple jacket and sling it over my shoulder, then grab my book - To Kill A Mockingbird - my switchblade, and my last pack of cigarettes (along with my lighter of course). I'll have to make sure to buy some more soon. Or steal them more likely.
I put on the jacket and zip it up halfway before going over to my window and opening it. As carefully as I can manage - and considering im tossing it out a window that's not saying much - I drop my book down into the bushes.
I swing a leg over the window pane and am gathering my courage to drop when I see something that almost gives me a heartattack.
Looking back at me through the window from the house next door, is a handsome, sandy blonde boy with dark broen, almost black eyes and a confused look on his face. He stares at me and I stare right back at him, my heart thumping so loudly in my chest I wouldn't be suprised if he could hear me.
He raises his hand slowly and gives me a slight wave and a half smile. I don't bother trying to smiling back but I do raise my hand a bit in greeting.
Faintly I hear some sort of commotion coming from downstairs, and then my uncle yelling. Turning back to look inside my room - at the door - I freeze when I hear Paul's footsteps begin to stomp up the stairs.
Without waiting another second, or sparing another glance at the boy across the way, I push myself off the window ledge and suddenly, for one terrifying moment, I'm free falling. I land in the overgrown greenery with a low thud and all the air in my lungs rushes out of my body.
In my rush to get out before my uncle came I didn't try to angle myself, or figure out how to land with the least damage, so I ended up landing on my back. Just like I predicted, the bushes cushioned my fall greatly, but not enough to escape the pain wracking my chest as my lungs seize up.
I lay here for a moment, trying just to catch my breath, before I see someone peek their head out a window above me. For a moment, as my head spins and my vision blurs from tears of pain, I think it might be the boy across the way. But any thought of the boy are immediately pushed from my mind as I blink once, twice, three times only to see Paul's unshaven face glaring down at me.
I think he shouts something about me being dead but to be honest my ears are kind of ringing and I can't hear too good. But either way his message is well received by me. I stumble to my feet, feeling around desperately for my book before finding it and immediately taking off running.
I'm just getting to the street when - while I've turned around slightly to see if I'm being followed - I run directly into what my mind foolishly thinks for a moment must be a brick wall. Scrambling away from hands that try to catch me before I fall, I end up being sprawled on my ass in front of what must be the biggest guy I've seen in person.
I've seen body builders and buffs on TV or in movies of course, but never have I actually encountered one. And let me tell you, it's absolutely terrifying.
The man has biceps as big as my head, eyes like ice, and looks like he could crush my skull with his bare hands. (Ok maybe I'm being overdramatic but when a six foot something man is standing over you as you're practically just laying on the ground, it's a little intimidating alright?)
The dark haired, muscled man reaches out to me to help me up, an apology on his lips, when all of a sudden I hear a screen door slam somewhere behind me. Whipping around - still on the ground - I see the moment Paul spots me, and ugly sneer forming on his face as he begins stomping down the porch steps - towards me.
Gasping in panic I jump to my feet, almost tripping again before the big guy catches me. I rip myself out of his grip muttering a small apology before pushing myself around him and taking off down the street. I can hear someone shouting after me but can't quite make out what they say. I don't really care anyways.
I'm free.