Page 32 of Left in the Dark

As she cleaned and iced my wounds, I raged at her for staying in this godforsaken house until I hurt too damn much to continue.

Then I passed out again.

I spent most of Saturday sleeping. When I woke up on Sunday, I finally got out of bed and went to the bathroom. When I looked in the mirror and saw the bruised girl with red, swollen eyes staring back at me, I broke. Sliding to the floor, I sobbed for the unfairness of the entire situation.

By the time I was all cried out, I could only crawl to the shower. I winced as the warm water pelted my skin, my mind working feverishly, wondering how Zayne was and how I could contact him.

After drying off and padding back to my room, my gaze went to the nightstand where I usually set my phone.

But it wasn’t there.

There was a knock on my door before I heard my mother say, “It’s me.” She strolled inside, closing the door, a bright smile on her face. “You look much better today, Delaney.”

“Cut the crap. Where’s my phone?”

My mother bit her lip, her eyes shifting away.

“Mom.” My hands balled into fists as I stomped closer. “Where the fuck is my phone?”

“Don’t use that tone with me.” She glares at me before remorse shines in her eyes. “Your father took it. After…” Her fingers twist together as though she were wringing out an invisible cloth. “The events of Friday night.”

“Events? Events?”My voice is high-pitched, boarding on hysteria. “I was fucking beaten, Mom. Pummeled by the asshole my father desperately wanted me to date while my brother held my arms so I couldn’t defend myself. They forced me inside the house after my father yelled at them. The four of them beat me unconscious.” My entire body is shaking from the fury inside me.

“I’m sorry, Laney.”

“Don’t.” I hold up my hand, my chest heaving from fury. I stepped closer, rage blazing from my eyes. “You don’t get to call me by my nickname. Not when youallowthis shit to continue.”

My mother’s face is as white as a sheet. “I don’t allow?—"

“Yes, you do. You’re as guilty as he is.” I turn away, unable to stomach looking at her any longer. “Get out. Unless you bring me my phone, I want nothing to do with you.”

I stayedin my room all day, only eating a few bites of the dinner my mom left outside my door. My murderous thoughts were driving me insane, but I had no idea how to escape this hellhole with no money, no car, and no phone.

When I heard my mom and dad going to bed at 10:00 p.m., a plan formed inside my head. Zayne’s house was too far, but I could walk to Callie’s.

When I was sure they were asleep, I did something I’d never done before—I snuck out of the house.

My dad had a new alarm system installed, but I figured out how to shut off the alarm to my window. My heart thudded inside my chest as I climbed out the window onto the porch roof. Beads of sweat rolled down my back as my feet hit the ground.

I made it.

I quietly ran across the yard to the driveway. The further away I got, the freer I felt.

Forty-five minutes later, I was knocking on Callie’s window. It felt like forever until the light beside her bed turned on, and her face appeared behind the glass.

Shoving it open, she heatedly whispered, “What the hell, Delaney? Why didn’t you call?”

“Let me inside and I’ll explain.”

“Jesus Christ, girl. Look at your face.” Her face is pale, eyes wide from shock. “What happened?”

“I know.” I suck in a deep breath before releasing it. “I have so much to tell you.”

She gestured for me to sit on her bed, and once I gingerly sat down, I told her everything. The entire sordid story, including the abuse I’d suffered since I was a child, poured from my lips.

When I was done, the first rays of dawn were breaking across the sky.

Callie had her hand over her mouth, and I traced the tracks of her tears, too numb to cry anymore.

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