Chapter 4: Whispers in the Dark
The night air rushes past me as I hold on tightly to Alexander, my arms wrapped around his waist as we ride his big motorcycle. The roar of the engine drowns out the noise of the town, the whispers and the judgments. For a moment, it’s just us, the open road, and the promise of escape.
We pull up to my house, the bike’s engine purring to a stop. I reluctantly let go, climbing off and smoothing my hair back. The ride has left me feeling exhilarated, but reality quickly sets in as I take in the familiar surroundings of my home.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “And for everything tonight.”
Alexander turns to look at me, his eyes softening. “Anytime, Alex. You know I’m always here for you.”
I manage a small smile, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. “You should go. It’s late.”
He hesitates, as if he wants to say more, but then nods. “Alright. Be safe, okay?”
I nod, watching as he starts up the bike again and roars off into the night. The sound fades into the distance, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I turn towards the gate, steeling myself for the walk to the front door.
As I approach the gate, I hear them before I see them—two women, standing under the dim light of a streetlamp, their voices low but sharp. They don’t notice me at first, too absorbed in their conversation.
“Did you hear? Alexandra was at the pub again tonight. She’s always out, you know, looking for her next ‘client,’” one of them says, her voice dripping with disdain.
The other one laughs, a mean, mocking sound. “Oh, I know. She’ll spread her legs for anyone who flashes a bit of cash. It’s pathetic.”
I stop in my tracks, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and hurt. I should walk away, ignore them, but the fire inside me won’t let me. I step closer, making my presence known.
“Talking about me again, ladies?” I say, my voice cold and cutting.
They turn, their faces going pale as they realize I’ve overheard them. I give them a smile, all teeth and no warmth. “You know, if you’re so interested in my sex life, maybe you should ask your husbands. They’re my favorites to fuck.”
Their mouths drop open, eyes wide with shock and embarrassment. I relish the moment, watching them squirm under my gaze.
“You… you bitch!” one of them stammers, her face turning red.
“Call me whatever you want,” I say, stepping through the gate. “Just remember, gossip has a way of getting back to the people you’re trying to impress. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do than listen to your pathetic attempts at shaming me.”
I walk away, leaving them in stunned silence, their whispers turning into shocked gasps. The adrenaline from the confrontation courses through me, but as I step into the house, the rush fades, leaving a hollow ache in its place.
I lock the door behind me, leaning against it and taking a deep breath. My heart still pounds, my mind replaying the events of the night. Z’s cruel words, Alexander’s protectiveness, the vile gossip of those women—it all swirls together, a storm of emotions I can barely contain.
I head upstairs, shedding my jacket and kicking off my boots. The house is quiet, my father long since asleep.
As I silently make my way to my room, I try to be as quiet as possible, hoping not to wake my father. But the creak of the old wooden stairs betrays me, and I hear his door swing open. My heart sinks, the familiar dread settling in my stomach. I turn to see him standing at the top of the stairs, his expression a mix of anger and disappointment.
“Where the hell have you been?” he demands, his voice echoing through the empty house.
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “Out. Just out.”
He takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “Out? Drinking again, no doubt. You think you can just waste your life away, running around with those lowlifes?”
“It’s my life,” I snap back, the words coming out before I can stop them. “I can do what I want.”
He’s on me in an instant, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards him. “Your life? You don’t have a life without my say-so. And I’m telling you, you’re going back to school.”
I wrench my arm free, the pain shooting through me. “I’m not going back there. Not to that place.”
His eyes blaze with fury, and he slaps me hard across the face. The force of the blow sends me staggering back, my cheek stinging. “You ungrateful little bitch. After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?”
Tears well up in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. “You haven’t done anything for me. You just want to control me.”
He grabs my other arm, his grip like a vise. “You don’t know what it’s like out there. You think you can survive on your own? You’re nothing without me. Nothing.”
I try to pull away, but his grip tightens, the pain unbearable. “Let go of me,” I plead, my voice breaking.
He doesn’t let go. Instead, he shoves me against the wall, his face inches from mine. “You’re going back to school, and that’s final. Do you understand me?”
I nod, tears streaming down my face. “Yes, I understand.”
He finally releases me, and I slump to the floor, my arms throbbing with pain. “Good,” he mutters, turning away. “Now go to your room and think about how lucky you are that I put up with you.”
I watch him walk away, my heart breaking. When I’m sure he’s gone, I drag myself to my room, each step a struggle. Once inside, I lock the door and sink onto my bed, my whole body aching. I hug my knees to my chest, the tears coming in waves now.
I look at the bruises forming on my arms, the red marks where his fingers dug into my skin. The physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional scars he’s left. The constant belittling, the control, the anger—it’s all too much.
I don’t want to go back to school. Not the one filled with judgmental eyes and cruel whispers. But what choice do I have? The thought of staying here, under his control, is unbearable.
As I lie there, trying to calm my racing heart, I think of Alexander. His protective presence, the way he stood up for me. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I can’t stay here. I need to find a way out, a way to break free from this cycle of pain and control.
But for now, all I can do is cry, my sobs muffled by the pillow. The night drags on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and I fall into a restless sleep, the bruises on my arms a painful reminder of the life I need to escape.
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