Chapter Nineteen
I barely slept last night, and I’ve called in sick today. I need to go and see my mum and my sister. They’ll know what to do. I’m sure they can get me out of this. I push in through the door, knocking as I enter. “Mum, Luna, it’s me.”
I take a couple of steps inside, and the pain explodes in my face. I gasp as I step back, but the screaming starts. Luna attacks me. Clawing and scratching at my face as I try to lift my hands to protect myself.
“You fucking devious piece of shit—you stole him from me. That’s my life. I was promised to him. I was promised a better life than living in this shithole, and you fucking stole it.” She pushes and kicks, and I stumble backwards trying to protect my face while shouting out.
“It wasn’t me. I don’t want this. I don’t fucking want this.”
“Liar!” she screeches as she claws again, catching my cheek and my neck.
Mum comes running downstairs at the excessive noise, and when she sees me, her face morphs; she pulls my sister off me.
I gasp as I stand. My mum pulls her hand back, and it crashes across my face.
My head whips to the side, and I cry out in shock.
“You’re no son of mine. You stole your sister’s husband, her future, and you stroll in here like you’ve done nothing. I won’t make excuses for you anymore, Leonardo. I wash my hands of you. You’re no longer welcome in this house.”
“But Mum, listen please, just listen.” I step forward, but my sister lunges for me again, and Mum tries to hold her back.
I turn and run out of the house, tears streaming down my face as I head back towards the bus stop.
I can’t believe they wouldn’t listen. I don’t want this.
I don’t want any of it. I stutter a breath as I take a seat at the bus stop and rest my head in my hands.
I try to breathe, but I stutter on a sob.
When I pull back, there are smears of blood on my hands from the scratches, my cheek is sore, and the bruises on my face and neck are throbbing.
I have nowhere to go, no way out. If Enzo doesn’t kill me for running, I’m sure Bellino will.
I stutter a sob as I board the bus and head back to my dorm, because where else do I go?
As I push into my room, I can’t hold back the tears.
I sob uncontrollably. In a daze, my feet carry me through to the bathroom.
I stare at myself in the mirror. Blood smears my face.
My t-shirt is ruined, clawed and tainted.
Blood splatters on my jacket. I strip out of my clothes and throw them all in the hamper, and turn the shower on.
Stepping into the cold water, I hang my head against the wall.
Tears run free, mixing with the water. I turn my back and slide down the wall to the bottom of the shower.
I pull my knees to my chest as the water begins to finally warm up, and I sit and cry.
Holding myself together, trying to convince myself that there will be a way out.
That I will be okay, but my future looks bleak at best.
I stare at the water as it pools in the bottom of the shower, the red streaks dissipate as the water runs clear, before it starts to cool again.
When I shiver, I let out a breath and stand shaking as I climb free.
I wipe my hand through the steam on the mirror and stare at myself.
The bruising on my face, neck, and ribs is starting to turn darker.
Muddy yellows and purples mar my skin. The new scratches litter my cheek and neck, red and angry as fine rivulets of blood start to form.
I watch as they seep out onto my skin and wish I were as free as them.