The Demons Within Me

Author's Note: Here's the new chapter... I wasn't in a very good mood when I wrote it, though i hope it doesn't show too much. It might be shorter than the others...

CandyCaner: Melinda is a darling. And she has such good style. Your theories please me almost as much as your updates.

ikkichi: quite right, you will have to wait to see what happens... i'm not sure how much longer this story's going to go on much longer either...

Something to think about... I'm glad whenever I see new reviews telling me what people think of my writing.

I hope you all enjoy this next installment.

~~~~~~

She came up to me and sat at the edge of my bed. I kept my face turned so that she couldn’t see the bruise, but I could tell it didn’t matter at that point. “Saige. I need to know… does he do this often?” I bit my lip for a moment, flashes of memories came crashing into me.

Getting lifted from the dining room table.

Being punched off my feet and into the wall in the den.

Getting slammed by the car.

Kitchen implements thrown at me. At my mother.

Without me realizing it, I was gently cradled in her arms with her rocking me gently as tears spilled out of my eyes. “I can’t go…” I said finally. “Mom will…”

“She’ll have to leave too.” Melinda was trying to sooth me and a part of me (the horny part) hoped that it wasn’t just familial feelings she was projecting

“She won’t.” I replied thickly, “I’ve told her about it before, but she still stays… she wants to change him…” ‘She can’t change him.’

“She can’t change him if he doesn’t want to be changed. Saige look at me.” her hand was touching my face so gently, so tenderly, I almost couldn’t take it. Then I had a thought that flashed through my head. ‘I wish Amanda were here…’

“Do you want to get out of this?” I looked her in the eyes and saw so much hope there, then I saw my situation. If I left, getting away from this hell-hole, I’d be leaving my mother and brother to suffer his wrath. My brother I didn’t care much for, but my mother…

“I can’t…at least not yet…” I said softly.

~~~~~~

It took me a few days to get to the point where I could stand and walk again. I was so used to the pain by now, I could basically walk on my fractured leg with barely any support (it’s unhealthy I know, but to keep up appearances it was a learned must) my only problem was sports, running and walking to quickly…

Though, I wouldn’t have a problem for at least two more days. It was Saturday and I got a call from Amanda telling me that she was going to come to see me today whether I liked it or not. Secretly, I was thrilled she was coming. Being stuck in this house, damaged or not, is always a chore and despite the fact that I get eye-candy in the form of Melinda (she kept coming everyday after to make sure I didn’t get any new bruises or fractures on top of my old ones.), I still wanted to see her.

~~~~

I stayed on my window seat looking out to the road, waiting for her form to come along. When I finally saw it a smile broke across my face. I left my room and went to greet her. She fell into my arms causing me to cringe only slightly. When she pulled away there were tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Your room.” she said pulling my hand. I frowned and followed her, slowing her pace so that I didn’t get too much trouble to breathe. “One, you only slow me down when your ribs are damaged.” she said as soon as we got in my room. “Two, my parents want to go back to the days when women are naught but slaves to their husbands.”

“What?” I know my mind can process more than one thing at a time, however my mouth is a different story. “What do you mean by that?”

“They want to arrange a marriage. Apparently, Robert made a very good impression on them…” her face betrayed every ounce of disgust that she held towards the matter. My jaw dropped, and my heart ached. My hand went to my chest as I felt as though I was dying. “Saige!”

“I’m fine.” I whispered. ‘Married.’

“No you’re not, you’re as pale as a ghost.” her warm hand touched my face

“I’m-” ‘What is fine? Why do we always say we’re fine when we aren’t?’ her hand traveled lower and she brushed on the bandages through my shirt’s material. ‘I could never hide from her… could I…?’

“What happened to you?” I looked into her eyes. Concern etched in them

“My dad.” I was beginning to get some semblance of control over my aching heart. Her face contorted

“What the fuck for?” I chuckled and touched her lips lightly

“I think he’s home so please watch your mouth. I don’t want him breaking down my door to attack the ‘foul mouthed little girl’ that’s in my room.” she folded her arms and glared at me

“You still haven’t answered my question.” I looked away

“I don’t want to.” ‘You’ll only apologize…’

“Why? I want to know.” she demanded , pulling at my hands, making me look at her.

“Cecilia told her dad I attacked her… my dad was working on a deal with her’s apparently…”

“Oh God no…” I stopped her before she got any further by forcing our lips together.

“It’s in the past now. There’s nothing we can do about it now.” she bit the corner of her lip and I could see tears beginning to form.

“Let me see… please…” her voice was a whisper, her fears I think were forgotten. I walked over to my bed, sat down and began to take off my shirt. She made sure my door was locked and when she saw the extent of the bandages and the bruises that I had not tried to hide she gasped. “Saige…” her eyes roamed my body and I began to get only a bit self-conscious. “How could he do this?” her hands came to my face, I think because she was afraid to touch anywhere else, and she knelt down in front of me. I bit my lip and shrugged, sometimes, I didn’t mind that my dad did these things to me because it meant that Amanda would be there soon after. “How could her do this?” her voice was barely a whisper, her lips inches from my face and I put my arms around her waist as she closed the gap, showering my face; my eyes, my nose, my cheeks, my lips, with kisses. Tears falling from her eyes and running down her cheeks as she kissed me, tried to take my pain away. My arms inadvertently tightened around her waist, holding her closer to me, my own tears starting to run as I felt the ache begin to leave me.

I felt stronger knowing she was there. Knowing she cared was enough to have me lost and free. When she pulled away I felt at ease for the most part. The throbbing was still there and I figured I might as well take my pain-killers soon.

“How does it feel?” she asked lightly pressing against the bandages. It was almost as though she read the discomfort in my face.

“I need my pain-killers.” I said motioning to my wardrobe. She nodded and went into the wardrobe where I had a draw installed that held all the medication I need at different points in time. Pharmacies in this area made a lot of money thanks to my dad’s drunken rampages… come to think of it, so do carpenters…