Midnight Dream – Chapter 2:
The first time wasn't the last.
Midnight Dream thought it was over. She told herself it had to be. But monsters don't stop just because you're hurting.
They come back.
I was home alone, sadly, because of the severe cramps I was having. I didn't go to school. How could I? My belly felt like crabs in a bucket fighting for food, clawing and pulling at everything inside of me.
I was on the bathroom floor, fighting for air like someone drowning. Every breath felt heavy, like my body was giving up on me.
I heard the door slam.
I knew it was my sister. She's the only one who comes here like she still lives here and pays rent, at least that's what they would say.
I stayed quiet.
I didn't want her seeing me weak and pale. She would run and tell Mama, and we both know Mama wouldn't do anything about it except be happy the disappointment is finally out of her life.
I heard talking. Footsteps moving around the house. But the cramps I was feeling overshadowed everything.
I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I felt like I wanted to die.
After a couple of hours, I finally got some relief and made my way downstairs to get some water.
That's when I saw them.
My sister... and her king.
I never understood why she acts like he's the food she eats and the air she breathes every day.
"Hey Midnight," she said. "We're going to this park to watch a movie. They're having a drive-in theater night, and I think it would be good for you to get out of the house for once."
"No," I said.
"Of course you would," she replied quickly.
I rolled my eyes, but I forced myself to go, trying to prove to her that I wasn't the lame sister she always made me out to be.
We got into his fancy Mercedes and drove off.
He answered a call and started talking about picking up a friend.
His name was Hidden Secrets.
He was Mr. Charming, the prince, every girl's dream in the community. He had money, and he looked like a model. I always wondered how my sister ended up with him, seeing how we grew up poor and could barely get by.
Must be one of Mama's tricks. I wouldn't put it past her. She would do anything to see Moonlight happy.
The drive to pick up his friend felt longer than it actually was.
After we got him, we headed to the park.
It was 7 p.m. on a Friday night, about 76 degrees outside, so he put the top down. The movie was something romantic, but I wasn't interested. I only came because I didn't want to hear my sister and Mama's mouths later.
A few minutes into the movie, his friend—Sorrows—put his arm around my shoulder, trying to pull me closer.
I pushed him off.
"This is not that type of night," I said.
My sister turned around, hearing the commotion. "Lighten up, Midnight. You could use a hand around your shoulder."
I pouted and turned away, because nothing nice was about to come out of my mouth.
The cramps started creeping back, slowly at first, but I could feel they were going to be worse than earlier.
I touched my sister, letting her know I was stepping out for a second.
I rushed toward the bushes, and suddenly I started throwing up. I thought maybe it was because I hadn't eaten, or maybe I was catching that stomach bug everyone had been talking about.
While I was trying to clean myself up, I felt someone grab me from behind.
"You little attention-seeking whore," he said.
Before I could scream, he covered my mouth and pushed me deeper into the bushes.
Not this again.
How did he find me? Why me?
So many thoughts rushed through my head, but I couldn't even process them.
"Disgracing me in front of company," he said.
That's when it hit me.
It was him.
Sorrows.
The same man who had hurt me before.
My body went still. Completely still.
I couldn't move.
It was like my body had already learned what was coming and gave up before I could even try to fight it.
He grabbed me tighter, controlling me, and everything inside of me shut down. I couldn't breathe. My throat felt like it was closing.
"Daddy's going to teach you some manners, sweet treat," he whispered.
And just like that, I became numb.
It felt like I was floating above myself, watching everything happen, unable to stop it.
Again.
When it was over, he stepped back like nothing had happened.
"Clean yourself up," he said. "And keep your mouth shut. I know where you sleep. You're mine. Don't forget that."
I sat there for a moment, completely disconnected from everything.
Who would believe me?
Mama always made me feel like I was nothing, so I guess I was being treated like it.
I cleaned myself up and walked back to the car like nothing happened.
"What took you so long?" my sister asked. "You missed the whole movie."
"I... I had to use the bathroom," I said.
She laughed, and we drove off.
I couldn't believe my abuser was sitting right next to me, and I couldn't do anything about it.
Before he got out of the car, he looked at me and gave me a wink.
It felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest, but I sat there like a rock, silent.
We got home, and I ran straight to my room.
Locked the door.
Shut the windows.
I went into the bathroom, turned on the water, filled the tub, and sat there.
The thought of ending everything crossed my mind.
I wanted to disappear.
I tried.
I thought about drowning myself, letting everything just stop.
But before I could, Mama knocked on the door.
"Lights out. I'm not paying for all that electricity."
I hurried up, got out, wiped my face, and went to bed.
And cried myself to sleep.