Survival

Part 48: Valerie

Hey guys, just so you don’t get all confused and stuff this chapter starts with Aristotle’s flashback and then goes into Valerie’s POV and then Aluna’s. Sorry for the fluctuation; I just couldn’t figure out any other way that didn’t include heaps more really short chapters and I think we’re all sick of that.

Enjoy

 

ARISTOTLE

Rain drummed on the roof of my small family home with a quietly comforting rattle. I swept up my phone from the bedside table and flopped on top of the blankets of my low, single bed. Once I was comfortable I pressed my Apple earphones in gently and flicked through my phone’s music library.

Anthrax? No.

Carcass? Not tonight.

Death? Hell to the yes.

I tapped on the band and started a shuffle of their discography. Naturally I had it all on my phone. Spirit Crusher blasted my ears. I allowed myself a small smile and settled down into my bed further.

(1)    Message Received: Anna

With another smile I tapped on the notification instantly.

“Hey there”

My heart would always warm at the fact that she didn’t message me for any particular reason. Just to talk.

“Hello beautiful girl” I tapped out and sent back quickly.

Of course, we weren’t dating officially. Anna knew of my large affections for her, and it seemed to make her feel a little better about herself. And hey, either of us might be hit by a truck tomorrow. May as well be brutally honest while I still can.

That was the theory.

“I need to tell you something” My curiosity was instantly piqued.

“Okay. What’s up?” I could feel my pulse quicken.

“It’s Father West.” She replied instantly. My stomach sank to my feet in disappointment.

Father West was one of the teachers at our school. He had a reputation of being a creep and generally untrustworthy, but Anna had always liked him.

“What’s he done now?”

“It’s not so much what he’s done now. I mean, that has something to do with it. But mainly it’s what he did. Back then.” Her response filled me with foreboding. Suddenly Death didn’t seem like the most appropriate music choice for this evening. I swapped to Tool.

“Are you okay? What’s happened?” My breath came shakily for a very different reason than before.

“He assaulted me, Aris. I didn’t know how to tell you. I was scared. He threatened that if I told anyone he would do things to my family…. But now he’s threatening to do it again, and…. And I don’t know what to do.”

An anger bubbled up inside me and threatened to overflow via my fists, my mouth, anything.

“What.” Was all I managed to send back.

“Help me.”

I took a deep breath. Getting angry now wouldn’t help Anna.

“Have you told your parents?”