C2 Unwelcome Visitors

Taking deep calming breaths I alighted from the bus finally arriving at the street to my apartment building. My mind was a raging mess already conjuring up different scenarios that could bring his unwelcome visit. Why do I keep getting reminders of my past when all I’ve been trying to do for years is to move on from it, I thought to myself bitterly.

I kept on walking at a reluctant pace already dreading the outcome of this confrontation. I stepped into the apartment to find Melody taking a defensive stance against Frank Peterson; my not so father.

“Finally the princess arrives” he slurs at me as soon as I walk in. His drunken state blatantly obvious to even the blind. Keeping a perfect poker face I moved to stand beside Melody, leveling my heated gaze at him.

“Has he told you what brought him here yet?” I asked Melody in a monotone voice. She knew my stoic demeanor wasn’t directed at her so she wasn’t at all affected by my coldness.

“He just keeps repeating the same sentence over and over again. The one I sent to you by text and given his state I don’t think we are getting much out of him this night “ she replied looking pretty concerned for me. I remembered the words she texted to me.

“He keeps saying his fate is sealed and he will be damned if you don't go to hell with him.” Reading that brought chills to my body because I knew that when it comes to this man, no words should be taken lightly.

Still contemplating the best way to handle this situation I knew I was left with only two options when I heard the loud snore eliciting from his mouth. I could either throw him out of here cause heaven knows he deserves the absolute worse or I could allow him to sleep here overnight and hope he's sobered up enough to explain what the fuck is going on.

“I’d really love to kick his sorry ass out of here Melly, you know I fucking would” I whispered sadly to no one in particular already making a decision that betrays every fiber of my being.

Looking dejectedly at Melody she saw the silent defeat in me and immediately understood, her eyes showing the slightest bit of pity. I turned away from her not liking the sight of pity and walked to my room trusting her to handle that old scum.

My hands are shaking as I step into my room. Shutting the door behind me. I walked to my bed after stripping from my clothes and lay down facing the ceiling above me. I tried to block them out but to no avail, the memories engulfed me like smoke, and slowly but surely, silent tears began rolling down my eyes. I kept staring at my Ceiling, lost In thoughts, till I dozed off

*Flashback to 6 years ago*

I had only 2 months left to my birthday, 2 months away from my freedom. Those were the only thoughts driving me as my body hurt all over. Pa Frank came back drunk again and beat me to a pulp, I guess I deserved it.

I should have known better than to discard his empty bottles of wine, I should’ve known that he likes the parlor littered with his mess and I definitely should’ve known not to help him when he came staggering in.

With a resigned sigh I quickly brought out my secret savings, I was counting it with plans of adding to it only to discover that I was 5 pounds short of what I had yesterday. I stood up immediately and started searching for where I could have possibly dropped it.

As I began searching under my bed my leg mistakenly knocked down my drawer and everything came tumbling down and fell on the floor. My head snapped back so fast that I was sure I sprained my already fractured neck and I scrambled to clear the mess and stuff my money back into my hiding spot but I was already too late.

He came barreling into my room already slightly sobered up and saw my money littered on the floor and his eyes became wide with surprise. I remained frozen to my spot and his tight grip on my arms was what snapped me out of my daze.

“You stupid bitch, so you started stealing from me huh, you thought I wouldn’t notice little girl, you ungrateful brat, after all I’ve done for you” he screamed at my face, the stench of the cheap liquor he had emitting from his mouth.

“No no it’s not what you think pa, I didn’t steal ur money at all sir. It’s from the tips I earned waitressing over the year Father” I tried to explain desperately to him, tears rolling from my eyes.I began pleading hoping he would listen to me but what I was met with was a head butt that sent me toppling over.

He pulled off his belt and I knew what was coming before it happened. He kept on whipping me all over my body until everywhere was covered in welts and blood, then he brought down his short, peed near my convulsing body, and walked out. I cried my eyes until I had no tears left in me. I dragged myself across the room to stay in a sitting position as I heaved all over the floor. The only thoughts in my head were my hopeful chants. Soon I’ll be out of this misery and surely all will be well.

*End of flashback*

******

The sound of yelling across the corridor wakes me up from sleep. I take my phone to look at the time and see that it’s just 5:30 in the morning. With a tired sigh, I stand up to check what causing all that ruckus.

“What in the hell is going on?” I ask no one, in particular, seeing Melody and Frank in a silent standoff, I swear she hates him more than I do and I love her for it.

“I heard sounds coming from the kitchen and I decided to go check what was going on and I saw him,” she says pointing at Frank, “He was rummaging the cupboards in search of Heaven knows what,” she says exasperatedly, her eyes already brewing with anger at frank who looks at her with a bored expression on his face.

I walk up to Frank and grab his collars, “ The only reason I let u stay the night is to know what the fuck brought you over here, don't you dare test my patience and start talking” I spat as his face already frustrated at the whole ordeal.

“I just came to give you a formal warning, I owe some very dangerous people a lot of money and my time is running up, they threatened to wipe off every Peterson related to me and we all know I got none, unfortunately, you have my last name being the last guardian for you since you turned 18, so yeah, you are dead” he leisurely says. I take it as a sign that he’s fucking around and immediately regret allowing him to stay over.

“Don’t tell me you came over here to spew this bullshit story to me, you could have just said you were dead ass broke and needed money. Now before I do something I’ll regret you better get the hell away from my apartment “ I say to him meaning every last word as my patience has already run thin.

“It’ll do you good to take my words seriously kiddo.”He throws over his shoulder as he walks out, I slam the door and turn my gaze to melody.

“You call bullshit?” She asks

“It definitely is when it comes to money,” I say exhaustedly as I walk back to get some more sleep.

Fuck him and fuck his warnings, Nothing’s going to happen, I know it, I think.