Chapter 3
Something to Remember
I want to get closer to her, but I stay right where I am.
I can see she’s breathing, and that’s what matters right now.
Listen to me and she stays safe. My father’s words echo in my head repeatedly as I wait for her to awaken. I was desperate to get in here. I needed to see her to protect her, but with every second that passes… I start to hate her.
I was so ready to give in. So ready to end all this shit. And now, because of her, my fate is worse than it’s ever been.
Yet, so much better.
My fingers itch to push her hair away from her face. She’s young; younger than me, I’m sure. She’s pretty in a traditional sense. Her hair is ruffled though, and she needs to be taken care of.
There’s a scratch on her cheek, like a scrape more than a scratch I guess.
My back leans against the cinder block wall, and it’s cold and hard, but it’s giving me stability. The thing I hate most about this situation, is that I’m still helpless.
There used to be ointment in the medicine cabinet. The mirror has a patina from where you have to grip the edge to open it. But in the old mirror cabinet, there was an ointment for scratches. I don’t know if there is now.
A weak humorless smile makes the corner of my lip twitch as I pick at the frayed end of my jeans. I can’t even get her something for the scrape.
Pathetic.
That hasn’t changed in the least.
She doesn’t know though. She doesn’t know anything beyond these walls. I lean my head back, tearing my eyes away from her for the first time since I’ve been let back in.
She doesn’t know. And she needs someone to protect her, even if it is only just enough to prevent a worse fate. Surely, it’ll be enough?
For her. My teeth grind together and my knuckles turn white as I ball them into fists.
It better be enough. It has to be. It’s all I have to offer, and now she’s changed everything.