Page 39 of Bleed Me

Raindrops raced down her little distraught face as she shook her head, begging me not to leave her, but I felt I had no choice. It was either her or me. The madman wasn’t going to rest until he had his fill.

Taking a deep breath—preparing for the attack to come—I stood behind the tree.

Then I ran…

I took off in plain sight as a distraction. Drunks were easily persuaded, sometimes.

The moon shone off my wet body as if God was helping me pull the attention from the innocent, hiding from her insane, biological father. His eyes set upon me, and I became his singular goal. I ran fast and hard, but my legs weren’t long enough or fast enough to carry me away from the torture to come.

I didn’t regret giving.

I didn’t regret my decision to keep her safe.

I didn’t regret the severe beating.

I only regretted Jenny having to see it all.

A five-year-old can never be the same when she witnesses her older brother brutally attacked until he’s knocked unconscious. Before my eyes shut for the night, I begged God to keep Jenny safe ‘til I awoke.

God did help me that night. He helped me help Jenny.

I woke up on my side as the sun barely showed itself in the sky. Or maybe it was just that I could only open one eye. Mud was all over the grass where I had been left after being knocked senseless. Jenny had snuggled to my chest for warmth. She must have come to me during the night once the coast was clear. She had mud staining her cheeks—

“Giver?”

I jumped in the dark, as I sat, leaning against the tree, desperate to be free of the horrid memories. “Sapphire?”

Cautiously, she knelt in front of me but was careful not to touch me. “Yes, I went to check on you but found your room empty—”

“You check on me in the middle of the night?”

Her long, wavy blonde hair was wet and sticking to her shoulders. “Well, I won’t anymore, if it makes you mad. I just didn’t want anyone to bother you again.”

“No.” Rain dripped from my face. “I’m not mad. That is very nice of you.”

Her exhale could barely be heard over the storm, but it was there. “I decided to check the gym. Don’t worry. I didn’t go inside. Just peeked. It was empty. So, well… then… I found you here.”

I felt worn to the bone. Absolutely stripped clean. No strength left. “I’m tired.”

Even though it was dark, I could see kindness in her big blue eyes. “Want me to help you back to bed?”

I shook my head.

After a pause, she asked, “Want me to stay here with you?”

I nodded.

“Okay.” She sat down. “Do you want to talk?”

I shook my head, watching her wrap her arms around her bent legs. “You cold?”

“No. I’m good.”

It wasn’t sincere, but I chuckled. “Did I teach you that lie?”

She laid her cheek on her huddled arms. “It’s okay.”

“Another lie?”