#3. Look

I hug her tight. "We'll Facetime by 7 every day, okay?"

She pats my back. "You know I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Marcus pushes her out of the way and hugs me tightly. "Why do you have to leave so soon?"

I chuckle and hug him back. "We'll see each other again, okay?"

"Promise me?" He looks me in the eye. "You'll get better and stay alive, okay?" A tear slips down his face.

"Don't make her cry, Marcus." Olivia says, tears running down her face.

I burst out crying and they wrap me in a hug. Pulling away, they both hold my hand.

"You'll see the therapist, right?" She asks through a pain filled smile.

I bite my lips. "Yes." I breathe out. "I mean, I could give it a try, to see if it's worth it."

She squeezes my hand tightly. "If I ever catch those jerks who did this to you, I'll squeeze the life out of them and make sure they regret messing with you."

Marcus and I laugh, knowing very well, she is all talk but no action.

"I'm serious. This time I'll go all out." She whines, making me laugh harder.

"Nobody said anything, that's just your guilty conscience talking." Marcus defends.

"You both don't want to fight when I'm about to leave? Tell the twins they can sleep all day, now I'm gone." I hug them one last time, hearing dad calling my name.

"Keep fighting, okay?" Marcus squeezes my shoulders as I step out the door.

I smile at him and wave them goodbye. Trying hard to keep the tears from spilling again.

Great. Home sweet home, here I come.

I am aware I'm going back to the fiery pit of hell, school.

***

"This wasn't what you promised me mum." I yell, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

I look at dad, but he only avoids my eye, which makes me feel worse.

I'm on my feet now, standing up from the couch. "You can't make me go back there."

"You know what I went through." My breath hitches in my throat. "I almost died!" I cry out.

"Sweetie, please listen to us." Mum pleads, hugging me tight. "You must make them pay! You must go back so you can become a stronger person. It's not going to be easy but, we'll be here with you."

Dad gets up and pulls me into his arms. "I don't want to send you back there, but letting you run away from your problems, won't make them go away. Neither will it make me a good father."

They both wrap me in their arms. "What if I don't make it out alive this time?" I ask through trembling lips.

"You're strong Reina. You've got this. Make them realize what they did to you was very wrong!" Mum touches my chin, raising my face to meet hers.

Dad squeezes my hand, comforting me. "It'll be different this time around. I promise."

I let their words sway me. Holding me tighter, they reassure me that they are always going to be here.

I'm terrified I'm going to lose the battle once again. Deep down, I want to make them pay for every tear, blood, and sweat I shed because of them. But then again, mum always said acting indifferent is the best form of revenge.

Knowing I have no choice, I understand I need to take the bulls by the horns.

***

"Oh my God. No freaking way!" Olivia shrieks. I jump in place in response to her outburst.

"Ouch my ears." I whine, taking out one of my Air Pods.

"Sorry. When do you resume?" She asks.

"Today." I breathe out shakily, putting my books and school supplies in my backpack.

"Oh my God!" She screams.

God. My poor eardrums.

"Olivia, you'll make me go deaf." I sob, putting my phone on speaker.

"Sorry." She apologizes. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"I've been busy with therapy." I finally break the news to her. A new feeling overcomes me.

"I'm so proud of you girl." I can feel her smile, even though I can't see her.

"Remember, I'm always here for you, okay?" She reminds me for the tenth time today.

I grin. "Love you too. Gotta go or I'll be late."

"You got this, okay? Show them what you got, girl." She cheers me on.

I chuckle. "Bye."

I end the call and slip my phone into my back. I look at myself one last time, noticing a spark in my eyes. You can do this, Reina.

Making my way to the sitting room, Mom gives me a hug and kisses my forehead. "You have no idea, how proud I am of you."

Hugging her back, tightly, I say, "Thanks mom."

Pulling away from the hug, Mom serves us breakfast. Still feeling apprehensive, I am barely able to eat.

"You have to eat or else you'll get an ulcer." Mom whispers.

"Let her be, Sarah." Dad says. "You would also be scared, had you been in her place."

Mom sighs. "Fine. But promise me you won't skip breakfast again."

Making a promise I am bound to break, I stand up, getting ready to leave. I hug her one last time.

Dad takes my bag and leads me out of the house. Opening the car door for me, he gestures for me to sit.

I giggle. "You don't have to do this, Dad."

"Anything for my princess." He slams the door shut and makes his way to the driver's seat.

Mom waves us goodbye one more time before she goes back in to prepare for work.

We drive in silence. My hands tremble, my heart pounds hard against my chest like a drum! The courageous sparkle I saw earlier threatens to leave.

I think I might die of anxiety before I even make it to school.

Dad only came to sign a few documents. I'm grateful that he will be holding my hand partly to the battlefield.

The sound of the engine dies down, interrupting my train of thoughts. Stepping out of the car, my leg feels wobbly like a bowl of spaghetti. Dad stands right beside me, holding my hand in his.

"I'm with you, Reina." He grips my hand tightly in a comforting way.

I send him a smile, still feeling a little bit of anxiety.

***

A pair of strong hands, grabs my neck tightly, choking me.

"You better not tell anyone about this or else I'll make you wish for something far worse than death." He cackles evilly, his minions joining him.

That laugh. I loathe it.

The sound of heels meeting the floor, grows louder, minute by minute and I know what's coming next.

He moves aside, letting her face me completely.

She yanks my hair. "You really thought you could die without our permission." She bites her lips, smirking. "Hand it over."

My scalp feels like it's being torn apart, as she pulls my hair harder.

Pushing me to the floor, she steps on my hand putting her body weight into her heels.

Wincing in pain, my eyes bloodshot, I conclude there's no use crying anymore. Then my world goes black.