Chapter Fifteen

"Good night, Doni."

"Good night, Shorty."

The sweet and gentle sound of his voice makes me want to run back into his car and have him take me with him. The way he touches me, says my name, and the way he looks at me… He makes me feel good—so good I could cry.

I craved his affection the moment I laid eyes on him. I know we agreed to be friends, but I can"t help how I feel. He makes me feel alive and protected, especially when I received the text from who I presume is one of Christian's comrades threatening me. They've been playing those games ever since he was locked up.

Putting those negative thoughts away, today was a great day, but I missed out on spending the night with the only person I wanted to be with.

Suddenly, there's a shift in the air temperature. I wrap my hands around my thin jacket, trying to block out the cold. It doesn't take long for the raindrops to fall and switch to a heavy downpour. Laughing and pulling my hood over my head, I run toward the house as drops the size of gems smack against the concrete. Puddles quickly form and my shoes splash against the water.

Digging in my bag for my keys, I hear feet shuffling on the porch. My chest starts to rise and fall at a rapid pace as panic begins to settle in my chest. Standing frozen on the sidewalk, the sound of footsteps grows closer. The next thing I know, I'm on my knees from the sight in front of me.

"Hey, Sis."

No. Are my eyes playing tricks on me? I"ve heard about this, when you experience some type of trauma or abuse, your brain does crazy shit making you think you"re losing your mind.

Yep. This right here? It"s some type of psychosis.

This isn"t real.

He is not supposed to be here. I can barely get the words out of my mouth because I'm too busy freaking the fuck out!

"J…j-jo?" I stutter as my heart drums against my chest.

"Yeah, Sis, it"s really me." His laugh is ridiculously loud and deep. He takes a few steps toward me.

Josiah stands in front of me and looks the same as when he left. He is wearing his favorite black leather jacket, a fern green T-shirt, sterling silver chain necklace with the Puerto Rican flag at the center, dark blue jeans, NY Yankee baseball cap, and camo Nike shoes. The clothes he wore the night he was arrested.

"Shorty, is everything ok?" I turn to face the concerned voice behind me—Doni.

Why is he still here?

I feel frozen in place as I take in everything before me.

My brother is finally home, and my childhood best friend kneels in front of me, rain drenching him from head to toe. I didn"t even notice him move from behind. It feels like the whole world is crashing down on me all at once.

"Shorty? Please talk to me," he pleads while caressing my arms with his warm touch.

I can"t breathe.

"Can you stand up?" He reaches for my hand, but I pull away.

Oh my god, I"m suffocating.

There"s a tightness in my throat.

A sharp stab in my chest jolts my body. I hold my trembling hands to my chest, trying to get rid of the crushing pain.

Doni ignores Josiah.

"Shorty, we have to get you inside. You're drenched." He breathes unevenly.

I forgot it was raining.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Josiah"s voice is closer, but his tone becomes murderous, like any protective brother's.

What"s his problem? It"s Doni, for fuck"s sake.

Doni stands up to face Josiah… I think.

The voices begin to fade out.

My head is whirling like a spinning top, blurring my vision. I shut my eyes, hoping this is all a dream. But, instead, images of the hell we endured as kids play on repeat in my mind like an old movie.

Josiah using his body to shield Mom and me from Dad"s beating.

Dad yanking Mom by her hair and dragging her on the floor to their bedroom.

Dad"s strong hands wrapping around my neck, squeezing the life out of me, screaming that he wished I never existed.

The blow from his belt buckles leaving welts on our legs, arms, and backs. Blow after blow causing our bodies to stiffen, leaving us unable to move.

He continued to strike until we were completely numb. I will never forget the sounds of Mom"s cries begging him to stop. The look on Josiah"s face the night he found my bloody and bruised body in Christian"s basement.

The night that landed him in jail. Because of me, he was sent away to protect me from another monster. And now he"s here once again to save me.

But who will keep him safe?

Rocking back and forth on the cold wet ground, covering my ears with my hands, I try to keep the noises out. The noises that will haunt me for the rest of my life until my tortured soul leaves my battered body.

Protective solid arms wrap around me, and I"m suddenly lifted off the ground like I'm flying. The stabbing in my chest subsides and is replaced with a sense of calmness.

"Shh, it"s going to be ok, Shorty. I"ve got you."

"Is it raining?" I mumble, keeping my head buried in his chest and wiping the cold moisture from my face.

"Yeah. I"m going to take care of you." My guardian angel gently places a lingering kiss on my forehead.

"You better." Snuggling into his arms, I hear a chuckle vibrate in his chest. Darkness takes hold of me as I drift to sleep into nothing.