Page 14 of Conflicting Lyrics
I don’t listen, throwing the gate door open. I break into a run, using every ounce of strength I have in me to pump my legs as I take off down the back alley.
My name continues to be screamed, and I know they’re following me, trying to get to me.
If I get away, they know they will never see me again.
The church is able to do a lot, as long as it doesn’t disturb the community.
But the one thing it isn’t is above the law. And they know it.
The moment I tell the cops what my parents have done, they will be charged. Because they might think it is okay to do, even necessary in their eyes, but in the eyes of the law, it is illegal.
It's child abuse. And so much more.
As I round the corner, I nearly crash into a man who’s walking his dog.
“Woah there,” he says, steadying me on my feet. “Are you okay?”
“Lucinda!” Mom screams.
“No,” I sob out. “No, I’m not. They’re going to kill me.”
His eyes widen, darting behind me. “Come on,” he urges me, pointing to the house we are standing in front of.
I follow after him, rushing to his front door. He quickly gets me inside and locks the door.
My heart hammers in my chest, my lungs screaming for air as I take in heaving breaths. I feel like I’m going to pass out. The only thing keeping me going is the desire to live, the desire to be free.
Banging starts on the door, making me jump, a scream bursting free before I can stop it.
“What's going on?” A woman rushes down the stairs dressed in a nightgown.
“It’s the Carters,” the man grunts as he holds the phone to his ear. “By the smell of Lucy, I’m going to assume she just presented, and it’s not the designation they wanted.”
It isn’t until right now that I realize who these people are. This is Taylor and Marie, the young Omega and Alpha couple who live nearby. I’ve always seen them sitting on their porch and loved stopping to pet their adorable chocolate lab.
“Oh my goodness,” Marie gasps, hand flying to her mouth. “It’s okay, sweetie. You're okay.” She continues down the stairs, stopping when she gets to me.
I want nothing more than to believe her, but I'm not sure if I’ll ever be okay. If I’ll ever feel safe.
She wraps her arms around me, and I hug her back, letting the sobs break free as the banging on the door continues. My parents scream my name, demanding that I come outside.
No fucking way am I going anywhere near them again.
“Robby and Keith are on the way,” Taylor states, grabbing a bat that was leaning against the wall by the door. “Go sit down and wait,” he suggests, nodding towards the couch.
Wrapping her arm around my shoulder, Marie leads me over to the couch. I drop down hard, pulling my feet up and wrapping my arms around my legs, sobbing into my knees as pain and fear consume me.
I should have said yes. I should have taken her hand. I should have chosen her without any hesitation.
My parents are monsters and never deserved any ounce of love I had for them. A love that was long gone now.
“Robby and Keith are my other Alphas; they’re also police officers. They’re going to make sure you're okay. So are we. They won’t come anywhere near you, I promise.”
About ten minutes later, the banging on the door stops, and my name isn’t called again.
The sound of someone new shouting outside has my head snapping up.
“You're under arrest.”
