When we are happy

Chapter 26: Promise

I'm so sore. Everything hurts.

Dad hasn't gone easy on me.

Everyday, two or three times the beatings happen. And i can't get him to stop.

My phone pings with new messages and i already know who they are from.

Gavin: You know we love you, but this isn't cool
Wes: Why are you doing this, P?
Nico: If i buy you chocolate will you come back?

Parker: I'm sorry.

That's the message that startles me .

Why does he have to be sorry? And why does he think he needs too?

Me: You have nothing to be sorry for

Parker: Where have you gone, P? What happened?

Me: I'll come see you tomorrow, okay?

I sniffle as i begin to realise how much pain i've conflicted onto them. That was never my intention.

I just wanted to make it easier for them.

I'm a mess, and i don't want to bother them anymore.

Parker: Please come. I need you.

Me: I'll be here. I promise.

My mum has been slipping away everyday. But this time it's worse. I know she isn't going to live much longer.

She never got to live the rest of her life, she never got to be happy and it's all my fault.

I fall asleep in bed my entire body throbbing with pain as the bruises and welts only get worse and worse everyday.

~~

I go to the hospital not long after my dad arrived. My plan is to see mama, and then go see Parker. I take a deep breathe and go up to mums floor.

But when i go to her room it's empty. It's cleared. There's no evidence of someone even being here.

Tears instantly spring to my eyes, but they don't run.

No, god, please no.

I turn around and see my mums carer.

Her tear stained face tells me what i needed to know.

I look to my left and my dad sits on a bench his entire body shaking and twitching in ways i've never seen.

"I'm so sorry honey." The carer says before walking away.

I stumble back and quickly catch myself on the doorframe.

My mum. Gone. She's gone.

She's not here anymore.

I walk over to papa.