Page 100 of Anything To Be With You

The street is quiet as most of my neighbours are away for the weekend or in bed. I make it as far as my car before I’m tackled to the ground. My face smashing off the bumper of my Honda. Blood floods my mouth as my teeth connect with my lip.

"Where do you think you’re going," Josh says into my ear, his forearm pressing into my neck. He stands and grips my ankles as I scream and kick. I attempt to grab hold of something but end up ripping my nails to shreds on the sidewalk. He drags me across the pavement, my bare skin splitting and tearing as he pulls me into my small yard.

"Someone help me!" I scream.

"Shut up!" he yells as he flips me onto my back and straddles my hips.

I punch and claw at him, sinking what is left of my nails into his cheeks, drawing blood. I go for his nose again, knowing if I hit it hard enough a second time, it would break. I smash the heel of my palm into his nose and hear the snap. Blood drips onto my face. Josh shouts, holding his nose, giving me a chance to get out from under him.

I look around fanatically for something I can use against him. I lunge for the lid of my metal garbage can. It might not do much damage but it’s harder than my fists.

"Think you’re tough, Dani," Josh grunts as he straightens. Blood gushing down his face, his nose swelling. "You’re still that scared teenage girl I fucked on a dare."

I hold the lid by the handle with both hands. I am going to need as much strength as I can muster. "That’s such bullshit. Sean told me that you were stalking me for months. He said you were obsessed with me." I fire back.

He growls, his hands squeezing into fists.

"You love bombed me, making me believe that you were this sweet, caring guy that when you asked me, I said yes!" I yell. "But you were nothing but an abusive fucking prick who’s still attached to his mothers tit!"

Josh dives at me and I swing. The vibration from the hit reverberates up my arms causing me to drop the lid. It clangs against the walkway. Glancing up, I find Josh a few steps away from me. I managed to hit him in the face and slice his cheek. Blood pours from the deep laceration, and I smile.

He spits out blood and charges me, tackling me to the ground. My head smashes off the front steps, making me see stars.

"Get off me!"

"I said shut the fuck up!" his meaty hands wrap around my neck, and he bangs my head against the stairs.

A wave of dizziness washes over me, and I fight to keep my eyes open. I reach up and dig my thumbs into his eyes. Josh hollers, shaking his head. I hold on, pushing my thumbs in harder. His hands tighten around my neck, and he beats my head against the stairs again, knocking me out cold.

I startle, sitting up slowly. I’m sore, I can taste blood in my mouth, and I’m wet. I’m outside, and it’s pouring rain. I look around, blinking away the dizziness.

Climbing to my feet slowly, I gasp at the sharp pains throughout my body, the wooziness in my head and the nausea rolling in my belly. I manage to make it inside and grab my phone. The phone rings twice before it’s answered.

"Sweetheart? What’s wrong?"

I breakdown in sobs at the sound of his voice.

"I’m on my way." He hangs up before I have the chance to explain.

I steal a pair of Mason’s sweatpants from the laundry room, throwing them on, rolling them at the waist. Swiping my purse off the table, I step outside to find Luke walking up the walkway. I should have checked myself out first, because going by the anger on Luke’s face, I can tell that I wasn’t looking good.

Luke meets me halfway, his eyes wander, taking me in. It’s a few minutes before he finally speaks.

"What. Happened." He growls.

I only shake my head. "I need to go to the hospital."

"No shit. You’re bleeding," he lifts my face. "Your face is starting to bloom with bruises. Your stomach is torn up," he turns me, "your back looks like someone took a food grater to your skin and blood is matted in your hair."

I look down to find that my shirt’s in ribbons, showing off the road rash from where Josh had dragged me across the pavement. I reach up and feel my head, hissing when I touch a sore spot.

"Oh God." I sob and cover my face with my hands, regretting it immediately.

Strong arms wrap around my shoulders causing me to whimper in pain. I’m scooped up and carried into the house. Luke brings me upstairs and into my bathroom, sitting me on the toilet lid. He brushes hair off my face, his fingers ghosting over my skin.

"First aid kit?" he asks.

"Under the sink." I whisper.

---