Uncovering Peace

by Steffy Rogers

  “You don’t have to answer me tonight. Just think about it,” I say and trace her arm. I feel the scars and immediately want to punch something. I want to know who hurt her so bad she feels the need to mess up her beautiful body.

  “One day I hope you tell me why these are covering your arms,” I say while kissing one of her scars.

  Stiffening in my arms, she pulls back from me.

  “That’s none of your business, Seth,” she snaps.

  “I’m sorry, Faith. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Fuck. I see the tears in her eyes. The walls around her are coming back up.

  “I think it’s time for me to go. Be safe, Seth.”

  Grabbing a hold of her arm, I pull her back. She looks down at her arm and then up to me.

  “What, Seth?”

  “Can I write you?”

  “I guess so,” she says and I release her wrist.

  I watch her say her goodbyes and leave.

  “What did you say to her? She seemed pretty upset,” Braden states.

  “I told her that I hope one day she’ll tell me the story about the scars on her arm.”

  “Oh... damn, not a good subject. Skye won’t even tell me what happened to Faith. She just told me that Faith’s childhood wasn’t exactly pretty. All I know is that she ran away from home when she was sixteen.”

  “I’m gonna kill whoever harmed her. Fuck. I’m such a dipshit. Of course I’d bring up her past. Can I do anything right?”

  “Don’t worry, man. Get your divorce over with and I promise she’ll come around. Now let’s get some drinks. I need to party before that little girl makes her entrance and all I’ll do is change dirty diapers.”

  We spend the rest of the night drinking and somehow I can’t shake the feeling that I just lost Faith.

  I’ll fight for her. I don’t care if it takes the rest of my life. I’ll never give up on Faith. I will break down those damn walls.

  Chapter 3

  Faith

  -Sixteen years old-

  After twenty-four hours of traveling and switching buses so I won’t leave a trail, I finally make it to Savannah. Around twelve p.m. my phone started going off so at the next stop I threw it in the trash. I won’t need the phone anyways. It was a surprise my dad had gotten it for me in the first place.

  I get off the bus and grab my few belongings. The stop is in front of a shabby little hotel, but it’ll do. I walk up to the counter and luckily enough the guy at the front desk doesn’t ask for an ID. I hand him the money for two days and he gives me the keys.

  Once I find my room, I flop on the bed. I’m exhausted from the long bus ride. I look around the room. There’s a queen size bed in the middle and it definitely isn’t the nicest place - the walls have stains and there are dust bunnies in every corner. But it’s far away from home and that’s all that matters.

  As I’m lying there I think about what I’m gonna do next. I have roughly three hundred dollars left and I know it won’t last long. I need a job, but I’m a sixteen year old runaway. It’ll be hard to find something without drawing attention to me.

  My eyes are heavy and I drift off to sleep. I’d worry about everything after a nap. I sigh - my father finally can’t hurt me anymore. If I have to, I’ll go to the cops. I’ll never let him touch me again.

  It’s dark out when I wake. I have slept away the whole day. My stomach grumbles and I go in search for something to eat.

  Once outside, I take in my surroundings. I see a Wendy’s across the street. I go in and order a burger and fries. The place is packed with high school kids. I’m uncomfortable - crowds have never been my thing.

  I sit down in a vacated booth staring out the window while I devour my food.

  “I’ve never seen you around here. Did you just move to the area?” A tall and skinny guy with dark blond hair slides into the booth across from me. Ignoring him, I keep my focus on my food. Why can’t I just be left alone for once?

  “What? You don’t talk or something? I’m Caige Aaron. But everyone around here calls me Caige,” he offers.

  “Hi,” I respond.

  “Ahh... she can talk. For a minute I thought you might be deaf. So, what brings you here?” He’s beaming at me.

  I finally look at him. He’s cute - maybe a year older than me. Still, I don’t answer him. I’m not exactly a people person. I finish my food, get up to dispose of the trash and get ready to head back to the motel. It’s getting late and I don’t know the area too well. I don’t know what kind of people are out there. My parents always warned me not to walk around by myself at night. Well I never thought that the monster would actually linger in my own home. I push the thoughts away. I don’t want to think about him. This is my new beginning and somehow I’ll make it work.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Caige follows me outside. I look around trying to find a way to escape without him knowing where I’m going.

  “Listen... I’m not interested in you, so you can stop following me around,” I explain. He busts out laughing and I glare at him. Why the hell is he laughing at me?

  “Look, Squirt, I’m not trying to get in your pants. I just saw you sitting there all lost and alone. I can tell something is up with you and I want to help you.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I’m nice like that.” He shrugs.

  “But you don’t even know me. I could be a serial killer.” He must think I’m really funny because he’s laughing at me again.

  “You’re a funny one. I like you, but I seriously doubt you could do me any harm. So where do you live?”

  I think about it for a minute. He seems to be a genuinely nice guy. Maybe he can help me out. Embarrassed, I point across the street.

  “The motel? You live at the motel.” He looks at me confused.

  “I ran away from home. My dad... uh... well he isn’t the nicest guy.”

  “Where are you from?”

  “Washington State,” I mumble. I’m scared he’ll call the police, but for some reason I trust him.

  “How old are you?”

  “Sixteen.”

  “Wow. Well, come on. Let’s go get your stuff.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re coming home with me. I live with my aunt. We have a spare room and you can stay there for as long as you want. She won’t mind.”

  “But she’ll call the cops.”

  “I promise she won’t. Not unless you want her to, and from the sounds of it, you have every reason to call. What’s your name anyways?”

  “Katherine. Katherine Smith.”

  “Nice to meet you, Katherine. Now let’s go.”

  He follows me across the street to my room and soon we’re in his beat up Chevy on our way to his aunt’s house. Fifteen minutes later we pull up in front of an old ranch style house. I’m nervous. What if she decides to call the cops and they send me back home? I can’t go back to that hell hole. I’d kill myself before living one more day with my dad.

  “I see the wheels turning. Don’t worry it’ll be fine. My aunt took me in when I ran away from my parents’ house. Granted, the cops did get involved, but only because I asked for it. She’s great - you’ll love her.”

  I nod and stay behind him. Opening the front door, he gestures for me to walk in.

  “Aunt Martha, I’m home,” he calls out.

  “Oh, Caige, I’d thought you’d be out later.” A lady in her mid-forties walks around the corner. Her hazel hair is pulled up in a bun and she’s wearing a blue apron.

  “Well, who’s this young lady?”

  “That’s Ka...”

  “I’m Faith,” I interrupt him. If I’m going to start over I might as well change my name.

  “Hello, Faith, I’m Martha. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiles at me. I can tell she’s a nice woman and I instantly feel at home.

  “Aunt Martha, is it okay if my friend Faith stays with us for a little while?”

  “Umm... sure, I guess. Let me go
prepare the guest room for her. Why don’t you two wait in the kitchen and grab a bite to eat? You’re too skinny, my dear. I’m gonna have to fatten you up a little.”

  Her answer came a little too hesitant. Maybe this is not such a good idea after all. Caige grabs my backpack from me and sets it on the floor.

  “Come on, let me show you around.”

  He gives me a tour of the house. Most of the house is decorated in some kind of 60s style. It’s warm and welcoming causing relief to wash over me. I walk by a wall covered in family pictures. Caige’s face smiles back at me from almost all of them. They seem to be close.

  “See, I told you it’ll be fine. She’s pretty great and has a big heart. She won’t question you until you’re ready to talk. But you can trust her if you do want to talk.”

  “Are you sure? She didn’t seem too happy to have me here. It’s not a big deal if I have to go back to the motel, you know? I can take care of myself.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I think it just took her a little by surprise. She’s good people. I promise everything’s gonna be alright. Now let’s get you something to eat.”

  I settle in the kitchen while he prepares some sandwiches.

  “I just ate you know,” I point out.

  “Yeah, but you’re only skin and bones. When’s the last time you had real food?”

  “About thirty minutes ago.”

  “Haha. I mean real food. Not fast food crap.”

  I look down - back at home I had to fend for myself most days. I did the grocery shopping whenever Dad gave me a little money, but that wasn’t often. So I had to ration my portions. Sometimes I’d go days without food.

  “That’s what I thought. Tonight it’ll only be sandwiches. It’s late already. Aunt Martha is the best cook in the world. I’m sure she will whip up something special for you tomorrow.”

  “Damn right, I will.” Martha enters the kitchen. She smiles at me endearingly. No one has ever been so nice to me.

  “So sweetheart, what brings you to Savannah? I can tell you’re not from around here.”

  “Aunt Martha, not tonight, okay?” Caige says.

  “Oh okay. Sure. Sweetheart, if you need to talk, I’m here, okay? I promise whatever your story is it’s safe with me. Caige, can I talk to you for a minute after you show Faith to her room?”

  “Sure, Aunt Martha. Come on, Squirt. Let me show you where you’re gonna be sleeping.”

  I follow Caige to a guest room and once he leaves me to myself I flop onto the bed. After lying in the bed for a while I can hear them whisper outside my door. Getting up from my bed, I press my ear against it.

  “Caige, where did you find that girl? Do you know her? You can’t just keep bringing people to the house. When you came knocking on my door two years ago I knew who you were. I don’t know who she is or what she’s hiding.”

  “Aunt Martha, I promise you, it’s gonna be fine. I met her at Wendy’s and she looked all kinds of lost and lonely. You know where she was gonna stay? At that shabby motel. I couldn’t just leave her there.”

  “I get that, Caige. But still... I can’t just take in a minor without knowing her story. You know what kind of trouble that can get me in? I need to call the police, Caige.”

  Shit. I need to get away from here before she follows through and calls the police.

  “Do you trust me?” I hear Caige say.

  “Of course I do.” Martha sighs.

  “Then please don’t call the police. I’ll find out what’s going on with her. I’m sure there’s an explanation as to why she’s all by herself.”

  I’ve heard enough. I open my door and make my presence known. Caige and Martha are looking at me with a surprised expression on their face. They know they’ve been caught talking about me.

  “I’ll pack my bags and go. I don’t want to intrude on you guys and I completely understand that you don’t feel comfortable with me being here, Martha.”

  “Sweetheart, it’s not that I don’t feel comfortable but you gotta understand where I’m coming from. You’re underage. If they find out I’ve been letting you stay here all this time, I can get in some serious trouble. I’m sure your parents are gonna be looking for you.”

  “I assure you no one’s gonna come looking for me. Look, I wish I could tell you what happened, but I’m just not ready yet. I’m gonna get a taxi back to the motel.” I turn to go back to the guest room and gather my belongings. I knew this was a bad idea. I should’ve just stayed where I was.

  “Can I use your phone to call a taxi? I have no idea how to get back to the motel.”

  “Aunt Martha, you can’t let her go. It’s not safe for her to stay there.”

  “It’s okay, Caige. I appreciate you trying to help me but I don’t want to be a burden.”

  “Fine, then at least let me drive you,” he resigns.

  “I’m sorry, Squirt. I didn’t think she’d have a problem with it since she took me in too,” Caige says as we’re driving back to the motel.

  “It’s okay. I understand where she’s coming from and I can’t really blame her. She knew you. She doesn’t know jack about me. I’d be cautious too. I mean I could be some junkie after all that’s gonna rob you while you’re asleep.”

  “Whatever. We both know you’re not like that.”

  We arrive at the motel and Caige follows me inside. It takes us a while to convince the concierge to give me my room back after I checked out earlier but finally he agrees to at least let me have the room back at a discounted price.

  “Here’s our number if you need anything. Call me when you’re up tomorrow and I’ll come see you.”

  “Thanks, I will.” I have no plans to call him back. As soon as morning comes I’ll be outta here. I can’t risk his aunt showing up here with cops.

  “Goodnight, Squirt.”

  “Goodnight, Caige. Thank you for trying. No one’s ever been nice to me.”

  “No problem, see you tomorrow.”

  He makes his way back to his car and I’m once again left behind alone.

  I lie awake for most of the night, tossing and turning, trying to figure out what I’m gonna do. I need to find a place to go now that I have Martha on my back. I can’t risk her calling the cops on me. I don’t ever want to go back to Seattle or my dad’s house. I’d rather jump off a bridge. I get up from the bed and walk over to the mirror. The girl looking back at me looks lost, sad, and haunted. I’m not sure how much more disappointment I can take. Why didn’t I follow my first instinct about Caige and tell him no? It hurts to be rejected after having just the tiniest glimmer of hope. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. No one’s ever gonna want me again. I’m damaged goods. Why would anyone put up with that especially a stranger? I can’t blame Martha at all. One look at me and she must’ve known that my demons are too much too handle. Slumping to the ground, I start sobbing. Self-doubts are plaguing me, telling me I’ll never be worthy of being loved. I’m destined to be alone for the rest of my life, always on the run, always making sure he won’t find me. I crawl over to my backpack and get out my toiletries. Hidden between my things is a razorblade. I look at it for a while. One cut can make me feel better. Just one trickle of blood can take away this pain. I hold it to my already scarred arms. All it takes is one cut. That’s all it’ll ever take.

  “No, Katherine Smith. You’re stronger than this. Dad doesn’t control you anymore. He can’t hurt you. He won’t hurt you ever again. The razorblade’s not gonna make it better,” I’m talking to myself. What the fuck am I doing? Why am I still letting him have this control over me? He’s thousands of miles away from me. I’m safe – I am free. I throw the razorblade in the trash. No more. He’ll never have control over me again.

  After a while sleep claims me. Nightmares haunt me almost all night and when I wake I still can’t shake this uneasy feeling.

  I go to take a shower when I hear loud knocking on my door. Wrapping a towel around me I go to open it. It’s Caige.

  “Why haven’t you
called yet? I was worried about you.”

  “I just got up. It’s only morning. You need to calm down.”

  “Sweetheart, it’s almost three in the afternoon.”

  What? Had I really slept that long?

  “I guess I must’ve been tired. What’s up?”

  “I talked to Aunt Martha this morning. She feels bad for what happened last night. She agreed to let you come back to the house and she won’t call the police. All she asks is that once we’ve proven to you that you can trust us, that you open up to us. She said it’s not easy for her but she’s willing to take the risk. I guess there’s just something about you.”

  “It’s okay, Caige. I really don’t want to be a burden on the two of you. I can take care of myself.”

  “You’re not a burden. Look, Savannah isn’t exactly the safest place for a sixteen year old girl to be on her own. I’d sleep much better at night knowing you’re safe with us. Please?”

  I think about his offer for a minute. After last night I’m not sure if I want to go back to their house. I mean, Caige and Martha are nice people, but I don’t want to intrude on their lives. They have no idea what my life looked like before now.

  “Come on, Faith, humor me. She really isn’t a bad person. She was just worried.”

  “I know, but seriously, I can’t accept that offer.”

  “Sure you can. It’s fairly easy. All you have to do is say yes.”

  I could stay here at this dump and spend the little money I have left to make it through the next week or so and then see what I’m gonna do. Or I could accept Caige’s offer and stay with them until I figure out a better solution.

  “Fine, I’ll come. But if I have to leave again, I won’t come back next time. I’m grateful for your help but as soon as I feel like I’m a burden, I’m gone.”

  “Deal. Now pack your bags and let’s go.”

  When we arrive at the house Martha is already waiting for us.

  “Faith, sweetheart, I’m so sorry for last night. I was worried sick about you. I shouldn’t have let you go back to that place. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  “It’s okay. I didn’t expect you to be thrilled about taking a complete stranger into your home.”