Chapter 3

When I was finally alone I let the tears fall and I slid down the wall until my knees hit my chest and I buried my head in them. My body trembled as I let out everything I was feeling. I shouldn’t miss my next class because my dad would be told and he would beat me for it, but I just couldn’t handle this anymore. Why did I keep fighting to live if this was the life I had? I was beaten and raped and tormented! This was it, I wasn’t doing it anymore.

After a few deep breaths, I let my tears dry and I thought about how to do it. There were so many ways, but I had to be sure it wouldn’t go wrong. Jumping wasn’t guaranteed sometimes, so that was out. Jumping in front of a car could result in a few broken bones but I could still possibly live, so that was out too. I thought hard and paced as I did until it hit me. My dad had a gun in his office. He had threatened me with it before and as far as I saw he didn’t even bother to lock it away, probably because he knew I would never go in there.

But I was desperate and I would be dead so what did it matter if I went in? I could do it right there so he would have to clean up the mess of what he led me to. I was never a spiteful person but something about killing myself in his chair and him finding me and having to deal with the fall out of my death made me smile. I wish I could see his face when he found me and how he planned to explain it away. I had to go now though while he wasn’t home to be sure I couldn’t be stopped. With one last breath to boost my resolve, I stepped out from my hiding place and began walking across the field to the front of the school where my bike was parked.

My mind was focused on one thing so I didn’t care who saw me leaving and I mounted my bike not even feeling bad when I knocked several over.

“Hey Sunny where’s the fire?” Jayden’s voice rang out from the direction of the front steps of the school.

I ignored him and turned my bike around and jumped on. There were footsteps coming toward me so I took off as fast as I could. My focus zeroed in with determination and I pumped my legs as fast as I could not even bothering to wait for cars to pass. So what if they hit me, I would just get back up and keep going until this was done.

“Sunny!! Hey, slow down girl!” I heard someone yell to me but I don’t turn or slow down.

I heard a string of curses and the sound of brakes as I weaved through a chaotic crosswalk without looking or stopping. When I finally make it home I don’t even slow down before tumbling off my bike and running to my door.

“Dammit Sunny slow down will you!” Someone yelled from behind me while I fumbled with my keys.

Several foot falls could be heard behind me and someone pulled my arm to make me turn to them. My chest rose and fell as I tried to calm myself.

“What the hell was that? You could have been killed! What is wrong with you?” Asher said tightening his grip on my arm.

“Let me go!” I growled at him, pulling my arm out of his grip.

With one more try, I got my key inside and I burst through the door and headed straight to my father’s office. I opened several drawers and slammed them back in place in frustration when I couldn’t find what I’m looking for.

“Where is it?” I asked desperately under my breath.

Finally, I found it in the last drawer and I stood there looking at it for a few moments before I reached in and wrapped my hand around the cool metal. My heart was pounding as I felt the weight of it in my hands. I slowly pull it all the way out and kept my eyes locked on it.

“Sunny…Emma what are you doing?” Leo asked and I lifted my eyes to him and pointed the gun at the four boys I had grown to hate over the last three years.

“Get out!” I screamed holding the gun and pointing it right at them.

I wouldn’t shoot them because I wasn’t a murderer. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt except me.

“Ok Sunny we can talk about this…” Leo said softly stepping closer to me.

“My name isn’t Sunny!” I screamed at him.

“Sorry. Emma, just calm down okay?” He said keeping his hands raised and slowly moved closer.

“Get away Leo or I swear I will shoot you. Get the hell out all of you! You’ve done enough! You all have! Just leave me alone!” I screamed tightening my eyes.

Shots ring out and I gasped as darkness fell around me.