Page 98 of Secrets That Bind Us
“Mama?” I call out but of course she doesn’t answer. Only her small whimpering moans can be heard from the hallway. I send a prayer to anything… anybody listening. My legs work even though they’re telling me to stay planted. My brain is telling me not to go.
But I have to.
The door opens on its own.
“Come…” It calls to me. “Look what you’ve done.”
I gasp at the sight of my father looming over my mother. “A whore like her fucking mother!”
Her hair is in his grasp, yanking, pulling so rough I can see her scalp turning white.
“Let her go!”
Eyes like ebony find mine, just as lightning strikes, making him look the very monster he is. Teeth gnashed together. I reach for my mother and only then does he obey.
He does let her go and she falls limp on the ground. Not moving.
I scream for her.
But then he’s charging towards me.
Panic sets in but I'm too slow. “You want to be a whore? Fine. Let’s make you a whore. How many cocks have you had in your cunt? Huh?”
The voice that comes from within him is not his. It’s doubled. Demonic. He grabs me by the hair and shoves me down to the ground. “Daddy, no!” I scream but it’s too late – his zipper is down, and he’s angrily trying to shove his penis into my mouth. I bite at it.
He backhands me so hard I see double, and it feels like my teeth vibrate. Oh God, I’m gonna die. I can feel it. He throws me down to the ground on my back, shoving himself between my thighs, tearing at my panties. I try to scream again but he grips my throat. Oh my God, Dean is gonna find me dead. He’s waiting for me out in the loft. He’s gonna come looking for me. No, no, no, no. My brain blares at me to move. To keep fighting. Flailing. My hands find purchase on anything, everything available to me as I scoot as much as I can. The alcohol on his breath makes bile rise to my throat and I kick at him, kicking somewhere I know has to hurt because he’s thwarted.
“Verity!” Mama moans weakly. She’s crawling, trying to get to me, to help but he’s on me again. Hands around my throat. It’s all turning black. Through the flashes of lightning all I see are his beady black eyes. I reach up behind me, finding the handle to my softball bat and I bring it down. Daddy groans and I kick him off once more.
Inhale.
“Ungrateful little bitch!”
Exhale.
Rage bowls me over as I bring down the bat.
CRACK!
A blow to his head. Across his face.
Blood spurts from him and droplets land on me.
But they’re so warm.
So beautiful.
I shiver in delight.
CRACK!
He stands but it gives me more access to his back. His ribs.
CRACK!
Daddy falters, taking steps back but I don’t stop.
Can’t stop.
