20. Blythe #2
One-week later Brayden picked me up. I have been here three days, and I was having the time of my life.
Party after party with my big brother. His best friend Wylder was coo too.
Very cute for a white boy with his red curly hair and he was super nice to me too.
They snuck me in everywhere. It was feeling like the summer to remember. Until one night when it turned to hell.
“Here let me help you.” Wylder lifted my arm over his shoulder and helped me into the house. Brayden was too drunk to barely walk his self to the door let alone help me.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He looked over at me smiling. I felt a little uncomfortable but appreciated his help. I drank way too much, and the room was spinning around me like a ride at a carnival. The steps were doubled and looked like they were a mile long.
“I can carry you?”
“No, it’s fine. This, this is good.” I stuttered out.
Glancing to the Livingroom Brayden was leaning on the armrest. When we caught eyes, I smiled brightly happy to be hanging with him.
He forced a tight-lipped smile before looking away.
He and Wylder exchanged looks before he frowned and looked away. What the hell was that about.
Finally making it up the skyscraper they called stairs we made it to the guest room. He pulled back the covers and fluffed the pillows. I leaned against the door frame appreciating its stability because without it I would have hit the floor.
“Come on.” Wylder motioned for me to come lay down.
“Thank you. I think I got it from here.” I wanted to strip out of my street clothes before getting into the bed, but I wasn’t comfortable with him here.
“I will help. Here sit down.” Grabbing my arm, he assisted me to sit down. Lifting my foot, he took off my converse and socks. “Your feet are beautiful Blythe, your beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I forced my foot out of his hand. His caress on my toes made my skin crawl. “Thank you for your help. I think I’m good. Maybe you should check on Brayden. He was pretty wasted.” I chuckled trying to ease the awkwardness in the room.
“He’s good.” He leaned up on his knees and pulled me by my neck to him. Forcefully he crashed his lips on mine.
“What the hell are you doing? No.” I pushed him back and attempted to stand. The fast motion made me dizzy, and I landed back down on the bed.
“Don’t resist Blythe. It will be fast, but I promise you will enjoy it. Damn I love your pretty black skin.” Pushing me back he climbed on top of me.
“Wylder no! Please. No! No!” I tried to swing and scratch at his face and arms. Pinning them above my head he forced his tongue in my mouth and licked all over my face.
“Don’t worry. Your brother said it was fine. He owes me and his repayment is you.” Reaching down he unbuckled my jeans.
“Liar!” I bucked wildly; there’s no way my brother would say anything like that.
He was my protector. “Get the fuck off me!” My body was going wild, bucking, kicking and swinging my elbows.
Yanking my arms down he pinned them to my stomach keeping me planted to the bed.
I felt the slap to my face before it registered.
The ringing in my ears halted me temporarily.
“Stay your ass still.” He yelled in my face with venom in every word. I was scared shitless and my body was weak. The alcohol was taking over, or at least I think it was alcohol. I didn’t know. Each movement was becoming harder and harder, everything felt heavy.
“Please, don’t do this. Brayden!” I attempted to scream. Where was he? Why wasn’t he coming to save me. My jeans were pulled down my body roughly. And my panties tore off.
“Mommy can’t save you this time!”
“Brayden!” That was my last attempt at calling for help before Wylder thrust in to
me. My voice was hollow. My face contorted into pain; I wasn’t sure if my scream was audible.
All I felt was pain radiate from the tips of my toes to the hairs on my head.
I felt like fire was burning every inch of my skin.
Ringing in my ears felt like sirens blaring.
I couldn’t move. Each thrust felt like plunging knives.
Where was my brother? Pain after painful thrust my body and mind weakened.
Like Wylder said my mom wasn’t saving me this time.
No one was. He was stripping me of every last piece of innocents.
I should have listened to my aunt and stayed home, where I was safe.
Now I was here. A shell of myself because I could no longer feel a thing.
Not even his beer-stained breath on my skin.
I wanted to crawl away. Bury myself under a rock until I could feel again but I
couldn’t move. Pinned to this bed with my limps heavier than bricks. No longer me. No longer able to care. Where was my savior?
The weight of his body lifted and I couldn’t process anything. The clock on the nightstand read 1:37 AM. Seven minutes. Seven damn minutes was all it took to take everything from me. He left without a word. My body rose without my permission. Carried itself down the stairs and out the front door.
I couldn’t tell you where I was going but I went. Down the street with no pants, shoes, socks or underwear. Just a long t-shirt and blood staining my thighs. My brother’s shirt, the one I borrowed because I loved the colors. My brother. God where was he. Did he know? Did he let this happen to me?
I was picked up by the police a little while later and taken to the hospital. I couldn’t speak, just showed them the phone I had stuffed in my bra because I wouldn’t dare bring a purse to the party. My bra held my Chapstick and phone. That was all I needed.
Three days later, Wylder was taken to jail for doing the same thing to another girl that found her voice.
She called the police and he was taken away.
My rape kit showed his DNA, and it added to his charges.
I was back home, finding solace in no other place but my room.
A week of sleeping and showering to scrub away his hands, breath and heavy body from my skin.
My tears rolling down the drain because I cried about not getting his scent off.
“Blythe, your brothers here.” My aunt yelled.
She had no idea what was really going on.
Just that I was raped at what she assumed was a party.
A party I snuck away from my brother to go to with Wylder the weird white boy, she called him.
Not that her precious nephew was the reason. I would never tarnish her image of him.
“Bee bee, I am so sorry.” Were the words he spoke as soon as I made it down the stairs.
I couldn’t look him in the eyes. He failed me.
Another person in my life that let me down.
He was the straw that broke me. “Please, forgive me. I had no choice.” His voice shook as he cried and begged me for forgiveness
“We all have choices Brayden.” I spoke above a whisper. He didn’t speak, just stood there processing my words. Sniffling every so often.
“You’re right and I fucked up. I fucked up badly. I know you hate me.” The gun was pulled from his waist swiftly and pointed at his temple. Looking him in his face I noticed his tear-stained face, wide eyes and snot running down.
“No, it’s okay. It’s fine. Please don’t!” I begged.
“What is going on?” My aunt walked into the living room wiping her hands on the kitchen towel.
“I’m sorry Blythe, I should have protected you.”
“It’s okay Brayden. I don’t hate you. Just please don’t do this.”
“I have to!” His hand shook violently and cried out.
“Brayden, what the hell is going on? Put the gun down baby boy. Please.” My aunt moved slowly toward him.
“No, I fucked up. They paid me. I owed them, B. Fuck! I owed them. But it doesn’t matter. I should have protected you. Mom told me to always protect you.” He looked crazed as he swayed back and forth. His face covered in sweat, tears and snot.
“It’s okay. It’s fine. We can fix this.” I tried to reason. He shook his head no. Not listening to my words.
“I’m sorry.” Were his last words before he pulled the trigger.
My body jerked me from my sleep. I was covered in sweat and my chest hurt badly. This was the first time in years I dreamt about the day my brother committed suicide. It was a week after my rape that my brother finally decided he couldn’t take it anymore. The summer I will never forget.
Making my way to my kitchen I grabbed a glass of water and drank it in damn near one gulp. I needed to stop the pain in my chest and cool my body down. The dream was too vivid, like it happened yesterday. Why were my dreams back to haunt me.
Noticing the envelope on the counter I decided to finally open it. The last one I left in a pile at my front door with the rest of my mail. Something in me told me to open this one.
Bee Bee,
It’s been a long time, beautiful. I am finally home! You thought you could get rid of me. Not at all sweetheart. I’m coming for you my love and this time it won’t be so quick. I plan to take my time with you. See you real soon.
-Wylder
The letter slipped from my fingers. It was him. He was back and stalking me. He was in my Venin Room with Lloyd. And he’s coming for me.