2 : She's Hurt Even More

        One night, Mum’s out. I don’t know where she goes to because I just come home from the nursery where I part time work. I head to the basement, where my bed is. Yeah, I’d been sleeping at the basement since Mum married Pablo. And as I’m relaxing, he comes and stands near my bed.

“What do you want?” I ask furiously for his sudden appearance.

“You get paid today, don’t you? Give me the money.” He orders.

“No, I’m not giving you any!” I yell.

“Yes, you are!”

        I know he’ll do everything possible to get the money out of me. I don’t know what to do but run. I’m not gonna fight him. I won’t stand a chance. So, I hurry and jump off the bed. But he grabs my arm just as I’m about to pass him.

“Where do you think you’re going, huh?” Pablo pushes me to the wall. And worse, he tries to kiss me!

“Hell, you! Let me go! Let me go!”

“Give the money and I’ll let you go!” He pulls me back and forth, trying to search around my body for the money. I try so hard to fight back. And I end up stumbled on the floor as he grabs the simoleons I have in my side pocket. There goes my salary of the week...

“Give me back, you animal!” I abruptly stand up to face him again but he pushes me back. He even kicks my back.

“I told you, you have no idea what problem you’re getting yourself into if you try to mess with me. And right away, he leaves, which is a good thing at the moment. But then, he leaves with my weekly salary. And that’s not cool...

        When Mum returns home, she asks me if I see Pablo. And I just shake my head. I’m in no mood to speak to her.

“He must be at the bar.” Assuming that, Mum takes her old Sloppy Jalopy key and off she goes. I let loose my braid. I will be waiting at home, as usual. I will be daydreaming on my favourite old sofa, as usual...

        Layla rides her Sloppy Jalopy and as she walks in Pablo’s favourite bar, she sees him flirting and laughing with a young girl. She slowly comes closer but Pablo doesn’t notice her, perhaps for being too preoccupied with the young girl. Layla waits for the best time to approach him but what she hears and sees just can’t make her stand any longer.

“Pablo!” She screams calling him from behind.

“Layla, darling. I’m quite in a good mood, don’t try to ruin it.” Pablo whispers in Layla’s ears.

“Who is this?” The young girl asks Pablo.

“Could you wait for a while? I need to speak to this lady first. It’s important.”

And Pablo drags Layla to a side.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Layla asks. Pablo just smiles. He feels innocent, as always.

“Well, I’m just having fun. Oh, by the way, I have Brianna’s simoleons in here.” He taps his pocket. And that, straight away changes her whole mood.

“Nice!” And Layla burst out laughing, followed by Pablo. And they spend every simoleons away. And when they’re done, they come home drunk...

        I’m in the toilet, braiding back my hair when they get to their room. And there’s a long silence before I hear Mum calls me. I quickly run to her because I’m worried if Pablo has hurt her in any way.

“Are you okay, Mum? He hurts you again, doesn’t he?” I say to Mum.

“No. Give all your savings to Pablo, now.” Mum orders me and from the smell of her breath, I’m sure she’s drunk.

“This is not you, Mum. Don’t do this to me.” I beg for her sympathy.

“I’m not kidding, Brianna Schvanovki! Give all your savings to Pablo, now!” Mum yells at me. And when I refuse, Pablo slaps me hard in the face.

And I hastily run out of the room, crying. Pablo runs after me and grabs my arm.

“I’ll kill you!” I cry out in pain.

“The savings, give me!” He shouts in my ears. And he slaps me again.

        And again, he beats me up. I cry, calling for Mum’s help. And I beg for Pablo’s mercy to let me go. But he just ignores me. He slaps my face, hits my body. He kicks my back when I fall on the floor. And he keeps hitting me, until Mum comes and stands next to me.

“Just give the savings, Brianna. It’s as simple as that!” Mum looks me in the eyes.

“Mum...” I call for her sympathy within my sobs. But as Pablo’s foot thrusts my tummy, I cry out in pain again. And worse, I hear Mum’s laughing at my misery.

        I stand up in no minute. I can’t believe my eyes. My own mother laughs at my pain and misery! I just can’t stop crying!

“How could you, Mum? This is not you...” I cry. And just then, Pablo grabs me again and beat me, hoping I will give up. Mum doesn’t help me at all. She just stares with blank eyes.

“She just won’t tell where she keeps her savings, will she?” Pablo asks Mum. And Mum just lifts her shoulder.

“I don’t know, but why don’t we look for it at the basement?” She suggests and Pablo agrees in no time. They run to the basement, leaving me so helpless on the floor. I cry silently until I fall asleep.

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