DECEPTION

chp.16 part 2

It was time to set my caged soul free, so she could cast her bright light into my dark world.

I awoke from my unconscious state, I rose my head off the ground feeling the aches in my body all hit me at once, I groaned as I tried pushing myself up off the floor, I felt completely dizzy so I grabbed a water bottle out the fridge and drink it, I wanted to lay down for a bit but I couldn't I needed to get out of this house as quickly as possible, I walked out the kitchen and went down the hall where the guest room I've been sleeping in, I entered the room and went far deep into the closet where I had a duffle bag hidden away, I hid this duffle bag just for this moment, I left out the room as I walked I noticed the house was quiet so he must not be home, it stings a little that right after he beat me damn near to death he just left my body on the ground as if I was nothing, he's a heartless cruel man and I wish I had never gotten with him.

I went upstairs and entered my bedroom, I laid my bag down and went inside the bathroom, I was afraid to turn on the lights because I didn't want to see my reflection in the mirror, I knew I probably looked unrecognizable, a part of me doesn't want to leave because I don't want people to see my bruised up face, but I can't stay here any longer, where would I even go with out being seen, I sighed softly, I would add make up but I don't have time to waste, I twist the faucet and grabbed soap and washed my face being careful not touch the bruises so hard , after I was done I lightly tapped my face with the towel and went to brush my teeth, while I was brushing I walked out the bathroom and grabbed a black hoodie from my drawer some pants and shoes, I went back into the bathroom with my clothes and rinsed off my mouth, I got dressed quickly and added some medicine on my busted lip and grabbed my duffle bag.

I went downstairs and grabbed my key from the key hook, I opened the front door and walked to my car but stopped in my tracks when I noticed my front tire was slashed open, I gasped."Fuck how am I going to leave now?" I thought, I went back inside pissed that he messed up my tires, I went back to the key hook to see if I could find any of his car keys but they were all gone, clever guy he hid them because he knew I'd try to leave, I looked around for my phone and just as I expected it was missing too, I wouldn't be surprised if he took it also, I sighed the only possible way for me to leave was to walk, but walk where?

I rubbed my face frustratedly, I finally have the chance to leave but I don't know where I'll go afterwards, all because I'm scared to let people see my face.

After a few minutes of thinking I've finally decided that it doesn't matter anymore, what matters is that I get far away from him, I walked back outside and started to walk down the streets, as I walked I unzipped my bag remembering that I had a hat in it, I took it out and placed it on, I lifted up my hood and put it over my head to block my face.

As I walked farther and farther away from my house I felt a weight has been lifted off my shoulder and I could finally breath, I also felt something I've never felt before in my life and that was freedom.

I found myself smiling I let out a breath of relief." Finally." I said.

I walked for about 30 minutes until I finally reached a gas station, I grabbed the door handle and walked into the store I was glad that it was empty, I walked up to the counter where an old man was seated reading a book." Hi do you by any chance have a phone I can borrow? I'd like to make a call." The old man shifted his glasses and squinted at me probably noticing the bruises on my face, he grabbed the nearest phone and handed it to me.

"Ma'am? Are you okay?"

Am I okay? No.

"Yes."  I lied, I took the phone from his hand and quickly went outside to make the call, I unzipped my bag and was searching through it for a little card that had a number of a taxi cab written down, I began to grow frustrated when I couldn't find the little paper, I dripped the bag and got on my knees rummaging through it.

"Anura?" I heard a familiar voice call my name, I didn't look up to look at him because I already knew who it was, I kept my head down staring at my bag because I didn't want him to see my face, I was hoping that I wouldn't come across someone I knew while I was trying to escape, the last person I'd ever want to see me like this is Neal, I tipped my head down to block my face, I zipped up my bag and placed it on my shoulder getting up off the ground, I was ready to make a break for it but he grabbed my arm.

I let out a painful moan, his hands were against one of my bruises on my arms,  he took off my hoodie and hat before I could even say anything, Neal left out a gasp as he looked at my face, I didn't make eye contact with him mainly because I was embarrassed that he had to see me this way."Your face?" He reached out to touch me but I flinched and backed away from his arms. 

"What happened to you?" I gripped the strap of my bag and stared down at my feet, I didnt want to look at him because I knew if I did I'd break down in tears.

"Anura-" he got closer to me." Please talk to me, are you okay?" He lifted up my chin with his hand and once my eyes came in contact with his I started to sob, I hated being asked that question more than anything, I hated lying all the time to people when they'd asked how I'm doing. Neal pulled me into his arms and wrapped them around me giving me a warm hug, I sobbed quietly against his chest, it felt nice to just let everything all out while being hugged.

"Please take me away from here." I cried against his chest." Take me far away." I didn't want to be here anymore, I didn't want to be anywhere near here.

"Okay okay where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere." I didn't really care where, he told me okay and walked me to his car but not before going back into the store and giving the old man his phone back, Neal got into his car and drove off, the ride to where we were going was silent, I laid my head softly against the window and shut my eyes glad to be away from the hell hole I once considered a home.