As we stepped out of the car, my mother and Jed opened the door, glaring at me. I shivered under the jacket and before I could step closer, the officers spoke.
“Maya was over at someone’s house doing homework, as she had informed you,” Mr. Shiny Head stated, sounding frustrated. “Next time please refrain from calling the cops unless necessary.”
Jed smiled with his gross, rotten teeth, “of course.”
“Another thing,” Mr. Beard stated, “we’ve received reports of disturbances and yelling on this block, so we are going to be outside the house all night. I just wanted to let you folks know.”
Both of them went serious and I felt my smile nearly peak out. There was absolutely no hiding what the officers meant, it was clear. I turned back to them and flashed a kind smile before walking past Jed and my mother. Once inside I sped walk into my room and locked it, shoving a chair underneath it and opening my window. Just in case I needed to scream or crawl out.
It was quiet for a few minutes and I watched as the police officers parked in sight of my room. I was so glad to have friends like Marco and my other boys. Then again, I think I had realized that when they said ‘mate’ they didn’t mean friend or buddy. So what the heck did they mean? The devil inside of me told me to keep my mouth shut. To not comment about how I didn’t deserve their affection, or possible love.
Don’t say anything.
The voice inside of me was vibrant and begging. I sighed sitting down on my torn mattress and drawing my knees up. When a harsh voice pressed against my door, I became even more thankful for the vigilant eyes on the house.
“They can’t stay out there forever, little bitch,” Jed’s voice crawled against my skin as I refused to answer. I turned off my lights and put my head against the wall.
I’d always felt alone. I’d always been physically hurt by my parents, but Jed was different. Jed made me fear the possibility of what he could do. I wasn’t stupid and I knew there was a learning curve here for me, but he made me want to hide away. To go back to the basement I spent most of my life in. Actually, all of my life that I could remember.
I jumped when a dark shadow passed my window, but relaxed as Atlas climbed through and flashed me a brilliant white smile. Without a second thought, I made room for him and as he laid back, I crawled forward so that my body was on top of his and my cheek against his chest. That steady heart beat had my entire body relaxing as I smiled.
I wasn’t alone anymore though.
I just hoped to find a way that I could keep my new friends, despite knowing they deserved better than me.