Framed

My body had finally become numb from the pain it was in, the cold rain soaking my body making no use of my hoodie.

I walked down the sidewalk, not even sure of where I was anymore, but I didn’t really care. I had grown tired, tired of constantly dealing with my father and his verbal and physical abuse. My swollen lip and bruises were a reminder of tonight.
So many cars drove by, so many people oblivious to the problems of others. I jump slightly as another crack of thunder rumbled through the air. A black Escalade sped by, but quickly hit its breaks and pulled to my side of the road.
I watch as the driver quickly gets out and runs to the back of the vehicle, his hoodie thrown up over her head.

“Remi? Remi what are you doing out here?!”

I froze as Zacky, one of my brothers best friends, ran up to me.

“Are you ok?”

I nodded my head, unable to find words without letting the tears spill.

“Come on get in.”

I followed him to the car, opening the passenger side door I slid in. Zacky turned up the heat, turned on the seat warmers and was digging around the backseat. He soon pulled out a hoodie handing it to me.

“What the hell are you doing out in this weather? Does your Dad know where you are?”

“He doesn’t care Zack.”

I mumbled from beneath the still soaked hood, Zack pulled away from the curb and started down the road.

“What are you talking about Rem? Of course he does, I don’t know what’s going through that little teenage brain of yours lately.”

I took a breath a pulled down my hood.

“My teenage brain Zack? You sure it’s my teenage brain and not this?”

I turned to face him; he glanced over once, twice.

“What the hell happened?!”

“My Dad.”

“He did this to you?!”

Zack was mad, I had only seen him mad a handful of time…this was different. He was almost shouting, his hands gripped the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles were turning white. He sped up making his way through the Huntington Beach traffic.
We soon pulled onto Matt’s road and up to his house; I saw all the guys’ cars there. Zacky got out and I quickly followed him up to the front door that he didn’t even bother to knock on before walking in.

“Shadz! Bro where are you?”

We walked down the hall into the kitchen where everyone stood around the counter some kind of alcohol in hand.

“What’s up Zack? You alri-…Remira?”

“Hey Matt”

I choked back tears. Since warming up in the car the pain was starting to return, my ribs throbbed along with my face. He didn’t say a word, but just walked over and scooped me up in his arms.
Being five foot tall and weighing a whopping 100 pounds I was nothing for my muscled brother to carry.

“You’re freezing.”

He mumbled carrying me up to the bathroom. Sitting me on the counter he turned on the bath water and pulled the first aid kit from his cabinet. He started to work on the cut above my eye brow with antiseptic and bandages in a practiced manner, almost like he had done it many times before.

“Matt?....say something…”

I pleaded. He stopped and took a breath, the look in his eyes startled me. They were sad, tears on the brink.

“I’m so sorry Rem, I should’ve….I should’ve known he wouldn’t stop. I thought he would with you..”

“Stop? You mean-“

“He did the same damn shit to me Rem! God I’m so stupid…I should’ve protected you.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Well I feel like it is. You aren’t going back to that house Rem, get cleaned up honey, and I’ll find you some clothes. Have you eaten?”

I nodded; food was the last thing on my mind, but now my stomach grumbled, empty.

“Ok, come downstairs when you’re done, I’ll get you something. I love you Rem.”

“I love you too Matty.”

Notes

A:N/ I know this chapter was kinda slow and short but I promise it’ll get better! Lots of Love! –DangerD