Run Free (sequel to A Lesson Never Learned)

e l e v e n

do yalls know how hard it is type with Acrylic nails?  Also, David Escamilla gave me advice on how to get my voice back over twitter.  I'm still dying.  

-- Nora --

As each second passed, I felt my mind eat away at itself. I was going crazy. This idea of just accepting my life here was something almost incomprehensible. I could feel my father slipping slowly away from me. My mother was probably going crazy since we were so close. I didn't even get to talk to her because she was sleeping when Max and Dan let me speak to my father. It was so brief too. It wasn't nearly long enough to regain hope.

My mouth watered from the sickness I was feeling in my stomach. I felt like I was going to vomit.

The door creaked open and Josh walked in with the regular package: food, water, a book, and a beer. I held my breath as he sat next to me, clearing his throat.

"Your face is looking better." He said quietly. I had looked in the mirror this morning and I knew he was lying to me. Since Oliver had hit me, my cheek has turned a sickly purpleish color. My lip was also swollen and cut on the side. I looked as miserable as I felt.

I could feel his eyes on me for a while and I tried my hardest to ignore him. He proved to be a force to be reckoned with because he just kept staring at me, making me feel more and more uncomfortable. Finally I snapped.

"What?"

"Nothing." Josh was quick to answer, probably expecting it. "You just look so much like your mother." I felt my throat close a little from discomfort.

"Mm." I sighed, looking out the window. Josh followed my gaze before he stood up quickly, startling me.

"I'll be right back. Eat your food." He said, pointing to the plate before he swiftly walked from the room. I watched curiously as he exited. I knew if I didn't eat it, Josh would make a big deal which would most likely result in Oliver being aggressive to me again. So I reluctantly picked at the food.

Finally, Josh came back into the room, a large smile on his face. He held a sweatshirt in his hands and he passed it to me.

"Come on. Put this on. It's a little chilly out, so this'll keep you warm." Josh watched me as I stared dumbfoundedly at the article of clothing.

"...what?"

"Come on. Oliver's patience is wearing thin."

I stared at Josh, feeling a sense of worry hit me in my lower stomach.

"Is...is this a test?"

Josh snorted. "A test? I don't know what you're talking about."

I felt myself frown. "Last time I went outside, things didn't really go well for me."

Josh raised his eyebrows, his lips puckering a little. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I guilted Oliver into letting you go outside. So if you don't want to go outside, then I'll just let him know. But he probably won't let you outside again."

I shoved the sweatshirt over my head and pushed the hood back, pulling my thinning hair from the hoodie. Josh smiled. "Great! It looks a little big on you, but it's okay. It looks good on you regardless. You can keep it. It's one of my old ones. Your mother used to always borrow it whenever we'd walk to the park together." Josh gave me a gentle look and I looked away.

"Thanks." I mumbled, breathing in the fabric. It smelled like old detergent and deodorant. The smell reminded me of my father's smell and it made me feel sick.