Keith laughed at me.
I turned and tried to take a step.
Keith grabbed my left arm.
Way. Too. Hard.
I felt every finger sink deep and hard into my skin and into muscle and even against my bone.
I jumped to my toes and let out a breath.
Ahhh…
It hurt so bad.
I looked back at him.
I was terrified.
He curled his lip.
“You know what, Sage? Just go. Walk your ass home. Good luck. Hope a fucking bear doesn’t find you and eat you.”
Keith laughed again and left me.
I started to walk, needing to get far away from him.
I touched my left arm and I shivered.
He grabbed my arm. Hard. He… hurt me…
Shock turned into anger.
I wanted to go back there, find Keith and punch him right in the face.
I swallowed hard and the anger turned into tears.
As my senses came back to normal I realized just how far of a walk it was to get home.
Not exactly an impossible walk but one that would take me close to all night.
I needed a ride home.
I couldn’t call my grandfather, that was for sure.
That meant there was only one other person to call.
The SUV pulled over.
It sputtered for a second. Then the engine revved.
I opened the squeaky door and climbed up onto a seat that was cracked and ripped.
I looked at Henry and felt instantly relieved.
He wore a sleeveless shirt and shorts, his skin still glistening with sweat.
The SUV smelled a little like sweat and a little like a cheap car air freshener.