Opps

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I stumbled into the woods clutching my side. It hurt so much. It was dark so someone that had never been into these wood before would be lost in seconds. I knew these woods better than my own name. I walked to my favorite spot in the woods. When I got there, my lungs burned from the heavy breathing mixed with the pain in my chest from bruises and broken ribs. My legs were covered in dirt from all of my tripping and falling, but all of that was worth it to be here now.

I sat on a fallen log and looked around. There was a clearing that would be lit up with sunlight in the day, and the sun would shine on the flowers feeding them and keeping them alive. But now in the dark, I could only see the outlines of each stem and petal. Their shadows from the moonlight overlapped on the ground making a wild maze for the eye. It was really a natural work of art.

I remember my father always picking flowers from the woods for my mother when we went on walks. He would always say "beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady." Mother would smile and giggle and respond, "why thank you good sir, how will I ever repay you." "A kiss would surely do m'lady" he answered. They were the cutest pair. They were so happy and young, always smiling and playful.

I haven't seen him smile once since she died. His world revolved around her. She died in a car accident. He was driving that night and the other car sped through the stop light. She died a day after arriving at the hospital. My father only had a couple of broken bones and a bruise here and there. I know that he would change places with her that night in a heartbeat.

That's why he hurts me, or at least I think that is why. I remind him too much of her. Some may see it as I am all he has left of her, but I think he sees it the other way around. I remind him of his mistake that night and the loneliness he feels.

As I sit in my special place, memories come back to me. I get so absorbed in all of my thoughts that I forget the pain my body is in. I sit on the ground, lean against a tree trunk, and drift into a peaceful sleep.

The birds chirping wakes me from my slumber. The sun is up too high. This startles me. I glance at my watch and jump from my spot on the ground. My body doesn't hurt anymore, or maybe I have just built up such a tolerance to pain that it doesn't bother me anymore.

Its 10:30 in the morning. I am so dead. He hates it when I am not there to make him breakfast. After the mood that he was in last night and me not being there this morning, I am not looking forward to find out how he's feeling today.

I look around at the woods and don't want to leave. I am already this late, how much worse will an hour make it. I think that I am going to explore a little bit today. I don't have to worry about being late to school because I had to quit. When I was still in school, the beatings wouldn't be so harsh I would try to cover up the bruises with makeup. As I started to get more bruises, people began to notice and my makeup couldn't fix all of them. I had to drop out before someone started to dig into my personal life and find out what was going on at home.

Some people may think that it is crazy that I don't want someone to help me. Well, its not that I don't want them to help me. If the authorities finds out they will take me away because I am still only 17. I can't leave this place. It is all I have left of my mother. The house, these woods, and a couple of pictures. This is my home and I have survived here with him for the last six years. One more year will be nothing.

As I walk through the woods, I start to recognize less of the scenery. Eventually after about 45 minutes of walking, I am lost. I got lost in my woods. How did I do that? This day is not turning out too well for me is it. I finally give up and sit down at the base of the tree. I guess I will just hang out here until someone comes along and saves me, which by how far into the woods we are, I am guessing that it will take a long time for another person to stumble across me.


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