With Eyes Wide Open

A Chapter by Keirsten

“Justin, you stay here. Lacie upstairs.” my mom said. I sure hope that she doesn’t expect me to walk up there. She started walking to the steps and I remained where I was to the steps and I remained where I was. “Mom, I can’t move. Like I said before, everything hurts.” I said to her from the couch. She sighed and walked over to me. “I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine why anyone would do this to you.” she said with a tear falling from her eyes.

I hugged her and she hugged back but lightly so she wouldn’t hurt me. She let go and I brought my legs to my chest under the blanket. At that moment Keith walked through the door.” I got here as soon as you called me, What’s wrong… Oh my God Lacie! Your back.” I heard him say while I was huddled up in my blanket. I heard his foot steps get closer and closer. Then he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed tightly. “Ow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get Off! Please!” I screamed. All the pain came back and my arms and ribs started throbbing even worse.

“What! What did I do? I’m so sorry!” he said. “Keith, honey she was beat up, really badly.” She paused and started crying when she saw my tears from that pain that had just shot through me. “She was… raped!” my mom said, having trouble with the last word. He had the same reaction that my mom did. “Justin, come with me.” Keith said and Justin fallowed him to the kitchen.

Justin POV

I followed Keith through the swinging door. "Do you know who did this?" he asked. "Yeah, Cody Chanler. He goes to our school and he's mad because Lacie rejected him. This isn't the first time that he has beaten her up, but this is the first time that he has raped her" I explained. Just thinking about what Cody did to her makes me ever more enraged. I'm going to kill him. Even if it's the last thing that I do. I'll get him while he's in jail if I have to. Keith punched the counter which brought me out of my mind which was thinking of way to get rid of Cody. Keith has fury in his eyes, just like mine.

He walked out of the kitchen ramming the door out of his way on his way to the living room. I jumped when the door collided with the wall, leaving a large crack. I walked out of the kitchen too a bit more calmly seeing that Lacie was still on the couch and I didn't want to upset her anymore than she already was. I hate seeing her like this. I should’ve gone after her when she stormed off. I could have saved her from all of this pain. I hate myself for letting this happen to her. I bowed my head in disgrace while I was lost in my thoughts.

When I walked over to Lacie, Keith was talking to her and asking her questions. I grabbed the phone off of the table closest to me and handed it to Lacie. She looked at me with pleading eyes and I knew that she was terrified but she has to do this. This time I will protect her from everything and I won't let her run off like she did before. I would kill myself before I let her get hurt like this again.

Lacie’s POV

I looked up at Justin and he could tell that I didn't want to do this. He sat down next to me on the couch and lightly held my hand. "Lacie please call the police. Nothing will happen to you, I swear. The only thing that will happen is that Cody will get what is coming to him. I'll always protect you." Justin said. "Always" he whispered and kissed my hand. A tear streamed down his face and I was trying not to cry along with him.

I didn't want to make anything worse so I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and dialed 911. The phone rang four times and then a woman answered. "Hello, what is your emergency?" "Hi, um, I'm calling to report r-rape." I said and tried to hold back the tears that where about to fall. "Ok ma'am, please stay calm and tell me what happened. Was it you who was violated or was it someone else?" she asked. I could hear papers being moved around and I said "Yes, he beat me up and knock me out after he..." I stopped.

"Ok, so do you know who did it?" she asked in a comforting way. "Yes, Cody Chanler. He's, um, a senior at Firebough High School in Firebough, California." I paused as I heard her quickley writing something down on a piece of paper. "Ok sweetie, what is your name, how old are you and where do you live? I will send two police officers to your house for further questioning." she said softly. "Um, my name is Lacie Barron and I am sixteen years old. I live at one-thirteen Wolmack Drive in Firebough, California." I answered.

"Ok, they will be there very soon, just stay calm." she said. "Ok thank you. Bye" I replied and hung up. I took another deep breath and realized that I as crying once again. God! Don't these tears ever stop? "So?" my mom asked curiously. "They are sending two policemen over here to question me and to take Cody into custody." I replied between sobs not daring to make eye contact with any of them. Even saying his name gives me chills up my spine. I am so ashamed of myself.

While we waited fir the cops to come, Justin carried me up to my room so that I could get dressed. It would kind of be weird if he saw me naked, but I couldn't get dressed by myself. My mom was upstairs helping me too. I wouldn't let Keith come into my too so he had to sit downstairs alone. When I took my blanket off my mom made Justin close his eyes until I had on a bra and underwear.Once he turned around he stared at my stomach like he had done before. "Lacie I am so sorry." he said while studied my face and examined my stomach, legs, and arms. This was the first time that I saw my whole body. My thighs were the second most bruised things in my body. Like I said before, my ribs were the first. I turned to look at Justin from my bed and asked, "Can you please take me over to my dresser? I want to see what my face looks like." "Lacie that's not a very good idea" Justin replies seriously. Wow did I really look that bad?

"Please?" I pleaded. "Justin, it's ok. She should be able to see what that monster did to her." my mom said as her voice cracked. I lifted my body into a standing position and draped my arm over Justin's shoulder. Be walked slowly as I limped over to my mirror. We to ally got there and I carefully balanced myself against the dresser with my eyes closed afraid over what I would see. I counted to myself in my head before opening my eyes 'One, two, three...' "Oh my God..."

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