it was another week of taking care of jess. the same kiss on the cheek every night, doing chores around the house, same old thing.
but surprisingly that whole week he didn't hit me or yell at me. it was a nice change for me. no black, blue, or yellow bruises on my face, arms, and neck anymore. it was a completely pain free week.

or so i thought.

i was washing and drying dishes in the kitchen, then putting them back in the cabinets. behind me jess was leaning in the kitchen doorway. I didn't see him, but he had his arms crossed and a solemn expression on his face.

"hey."
i jumped and whirled around nearly dropping one of the dishes. i relaxed on seeing him.
"hey. don't scare me like that!"
"sorry, um, i have some news for you."
i talked while i continued washing.
"really? Is it good news?"
"unfortunately, no. But i thought you should know anyway."
"well then, tell me."

"it's um... it's your dad,"
i whipped around, my eyes wide in anticipation for his next words.
"oh no," i said, my voice breaking and eyes burning, "don't say it's true."
even jess looked a little disheveled while he was telling me. he was waving his hands around and stumbling over his words. like there was more to this.

"someone broke into your house last night. and uh, your mom wasn't home, thankfully, but your dad. he was asleep and the burglar decided to stab him in his sleep."

i turned around and stared at the sink, my mind racing. my stomach suddenly hurt. suddenly everything hurt. my skin crawled and i remembered all the things i'd done with my dad. the last time i saw him, i remembered it so clearly. he was laughing with my mom because i was going to that party with hannah.

that same party that ended up with me here. in this prison.

"there was no pain," he tried to reassure. "there were no signs of struggle."

i hadn't even noticed that i was racking with sobs, my shoulders shaking. my tears were running down my face, soaking my shirt and dripping into the soapy water below me. it was silent for a long time.

"y/n?"

"y-you did this," i said. my voice was low.

"what? what are you talking about? i didn-"

i grabbed a plate from the soapy depths and whirled around at jess. i hurled the plate as hard as i could at him. i missed and i hit the wall next to his head.

"IT WAS YOU!"

"shit!"

he brushed some of the porcelain off of his jeans as i stood on the other side of the kitchen, seething with my shoulders heaving up and down.

"you... you did this!"

i grabbed another plate and threw it. missed.

"fuck! what the hell is wrong with you?"

i got a bigger, sturdier plate and threw it for a third time. i hit the jackpot and it shattered on the top of his head. he staggered a few steps forwards, mumbled a few words, and passed out on the floor at my feet.

the realization of what i'd done finally hit me.i instantly kneeled down next to him.

"jess?"

He didn't answer.

i rolled him over so i could look at his face. as i did i heard a jingle from his pocket.

i moved him so I could hear it again.

i quickly shoved my hand into his pocket and dig around. nothing. i tried the other pocket and felt cold metal on my fingertips. i pulled it out and observed it.

a golden key.

this was it.

this was my ticket out of here.

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