chapter 3 (chapter 3)

Joey scoffed as he mumbled, "So that's where you've been hiding,Erica."

*****

Mom was insane. "C'mere, stand up,hahh,"Fumed, Mothers cheeks grew bright red.The dispisement and disgaust in her eyes taunted me.I didn't want to be a little coward anymore.I wasn't anyone going to shoot my heart with an invisible arrow.I was going to stand up for myself.I wanted revenge.

I arose slowly,like in a movie,where the useless character would suddenly break into utter anger and reveal its true demonic powers. 'Heh,nows not the time to be thinking about this stuff,i cant let mother disrespect me anymore,i deserve to be happy,' i thought.

I scorned, " Mother! Stop acting so insane! What did i even do wrong.YOU'RE ALWAYS ABUSING ME FOR NO DAMN REASON."

Mothers eyebrows furrowed with vex.

"I STAYED QUIET FOR LONG.I'VE ALWAYS BEEN QUIET.I THOUGHT TO MYSELF MAYBE IF I STAY QUIET AND PUT MOTHER WILL STOP ABUSING ME.I WAS WRONG.YOU JUST HATE ME FOR NO FUCKING REASON.WHY CANT YOU BE LIKE OTHER MOTHERS!?! IN FACT I DONT EVEN TAKE YOU AS MY MOTH-,"

𝘣𝘢𝘮.

I fell across,breathing heavily,fresh warm blood dripping down my nose.With my cheek throbbing,i felt like my face was bruised.My eyes uncontrollably let out tears.My eyelids flickered. I tried but failed. 'Fuck this i guess standing up for myself made things worse.'

"You! you bitch.How dare ya talk back! Im not lettin' ya get away with this,so buckle the fuck up my precious daughter,tonights going to be a long,painful night! hahahaaaaaa," Mother spoke,laughing psychopathically.

I brushed my hair away from my face and stood up,scared.I held onto my shivering arm with my right eye closed. The freaking pyscho pulled me by my hair swinging me onto the softa.I gasped,seeing her taking out a large leather belt.I instantly started praying for her to die. I didnt want such a crazy woman to be my mother.

𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩...𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩...𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩

"ARGHHHHHH MOTHER THAT HURTS,STOP MOTHER,PLEASE! IM SORRY MOTHER I BEG YOU,"I screamed my lungs out,almost losing my voice,hoping the neighbours would hear.

𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩..𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩..𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩..

My arm was in total pain.It felt broken.My skin was burning,hot.I prayed and prayed for this night of hell to end. 'Please,god,please help me.God if you're out there,if you're real,please help me.

...

Nothing.

**

My eyes flickered open. 'Where am i..ugh why is my body in soo much pain.Fuck.Right. yesterday night,' i thought,groaning in pain.

'Huh why am i on the sofa.'

I sat up,holding onto my arm. I dazed staring at the floor.

"hah,shit.I guess god doesn't exist," i mumbled.

After cleaning myself up and putting on plasters onto my face,mother opened the front door just as i was on the stairs heading down. I flinched with fear and mother randomly said, "Take cash and buy me wine from the store."

I nodded.I couldn't even disobey her or she'll just beat me again.Though my body was in complete pain,i crept to the cupboard in the kitchen and took a huge stack of money.I glanced up at the clock to see it was 3pm. 'Goodness!3pm!? OH NO!! SCHOOL! shit theres no point...but how long was i unconscious for?'

𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘭~

'Im starving..'

I left the hell apartement and on my way i closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air.It calmed me down big time.

***

𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 , the bell rang as i entered the little corner shop. First,i looked around for some snacks to eat,like, 'hmm boritos..oh theres sensations too! oh gosh which one do i get...hmmmmmm i guess i'll get them both!'

I trailed my hand on the bottles of beers which led to the wines.

'Gamay...Merlot....Carignan...i'll go with...ehh...Dolcetto.'

I carefully grabbed the bottle and went to the counter.The shop keeper beamed a smile and said, "Good afternoon."

I just nodded,not having the energy to reply.Placing the items on the counter,he scanned each one by one.

"Uhh...m'aam? May i ask to see your ID card,please?" the shop keeper said,making me flinch like a fool.

"What,why?" i replied with desperation to leave the store.

"M'aam you need to be 18 years old and over to be able to buy wine.Im asking to see your ID so i can conform you are either 18 or over," said the shop keeper in a calm,low voice.

"I- i uh dont have my ID with me but im 17 so please-."

The shop keeper interrupted, "I am sorry but you arent illegible to buy this.I'll put it back for you."

My eyes grew wide. 'I had to buy this wine or mum would-'

Breathing heavily in sweat and distress,i demanded "NO! YOU WILL LET ME BUY THIS.I NEED IT.NOT FOR ME BUT MY MUM!PLEASE IM ONLY 17! JUST ONE YEAR DIFFERENCE! I-I-IF I DONT BUY THIS FOR MY MUM SHE'LL-."

"No m'aam it doesn't work like that,and if your'e going to throw a fit here im going to have to ask you to leave.Rules are rules,"replied the shopkeeper with a tone of anger in his voice.

"Enough!" came a voice from behind. I turned around to see.. 'Joey?!'

"I will be buying that wine,here,my ID card," Joey said with a raised voice.He was legit like a hero.I stared at him as he was giving cash to the shop keeper.He put my snacks in a blue little bag and handed it to Joey.

Joey looked at me and nodded towards me.I followed him out of the store and didn't know what to say.I felt embarrassed. Just as i opened my mouth to say something,Joey looked over to me,handed the bag and said, "Are you ok Rosanna? You looked so desperate and scared."

....

I opened my mouth to say something again but nothing came but tears rolling down my face. He hugged me tightly.

"It's ok now,i got for you,so dont cry."

I wiped of my tears,took a deep breath and said, " Thank you- thank you so so much i honestly didn't know what i was going to do if it weren't for you."

Joey nodded with a soft smile and held my face.My eyes lit up and i felt even more embarrassed.He just stared at my messed up face and quietly said, "Who.. Rosanna why is your face bruised!?!? Who did this to you?! You were fine the day before we met.."

...

"ah,your mom."

...

"That woman is worse than i thought,she's a real bitch," Joey mumbled,still holding onto my face.

'Did i hear that correctly,' i thought.