Him.

Chapter 18: Do you have an answer?

*Wednesday*

I walk outside to meet Braden, because we walk to school together. I lean up against the tree and put my right leg over my left. But then, I hear it.

His scream.

I panic and run in my house and up to my room. I climb out on the tree limb and into Braden's room. He is on the floor, bleeding out. I kneel down beside him. He holds my hand and says

"I love y..." and he lets out a deep breath and closes his eyes.

"No. No. No. Braden look at me." I rub his head. And the tears come. They run down my face. I put my ear next to his nose and mouth. I hear nothing.

"No!" I scream.

Braden's dad comes in.

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

I stand up and look at his dad. He is tall. Braden looks nothing like him. Except for his eyes. They are exactly the same. Beautiful.

"I'm one of Braden's friends." I say nervously.

"Haha! Braden doesn't, I'm sorry didn't, have any friends."

"Yes he did!!! They are idiots, but still!! Braden has friends that love him!" I yell. I look down at him. His eyes are closed and his lips parted. His face looks pale. When I see him a lump forms in my throat and more tears slip down my face.

"Haha! No one loved him."

"I do! I love him! He's amazing! He's kind, funny, caring, handsome!!! And it's sad that you don't care. He's your son. You are a sick, sick man!"

"Young lady, don't yell at me in my own home." he says as he pulls out his belt.

He lifts his arm and brings the belt down with it, and it connects with my arm. A sharp pain shoots through my entire arm and leaves a stinging pain afterwards. He brings his arm back again and the belt connects to my back several times. Every time his belt hits me it sends a shooting pain through my whole body, and every time there is a sting that is left behind. He finally stops hitting me and I am on the ground. I am covered in blood. It hurts. Pain everywhere. I can barely move. But I crawl my way over to Braden. Every move I make makes me weaker and weaker. I finally reach Braden and I grab his hand and rub his forehead with my thumb. I say his name and place my head on his shoulder as I begin to cry. Braden's dad laughs and connects his foot to my

Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep.

I jolt awake and sit up. I am breathing heavy, and I am shaking and sweating. I slam the snooze button. I immediately text Braden.

Are you ok? - Me

Yeah. Why? - Braden

No reason. Just making sure. - Me

See you soon 😘 - Braden

Thank god he's ok. I don't know why I had that dream. He's been fine lately. In fact, he's been avoiding his parents as much as he can, and they don't care. I am still shaken up as I stand.

I go downstairs and do my normal routine. When I go upstairs I get dressed in the jeans Braden gave me, a pink v neck, and French braid my hair. The braid stops just below my shoulders. I grab my backpack and sling it over my shoulder. I say goodbye to my mom and walk outside, for real this time. I see Braden is already there, and I run towards him and when I reach him I hug him like it's my last time.

"Woah! Hey! What's going on?" he asks confused.

"Are you ok?" I ask looking up at him.

"I'm fine. Are you ok is the question." he says laughing and putting his arms around me.