Makhia glanced nervously at her father, his snores loud and unsettling. The air was thick with the acrid smell of alcohol, and she knew she needed to escape this oppressive space. The bruises on her arms were a constant reminder of why she had to leave.
"I can't stay here," Makhia whispered to herself, clutching a small backpack tightly as she slipped out the door, the night air cool against her skin.
Fiona wrapped Makhia in a reassuring hug, her voice a soothing balm. "You're safe here, okay? Stay as long as you need."
Lip chimed in with a casual shrug. "You can crash in my room. I don't mind." His smile was warm, but Makhia couldn't shake the unease that lingered beneath it.
The door creaked open, and Lip nudged Makhia awake, urgency in his voice. "Hey, Mandy’s coming over. You need to get out."
Confusion and hurt flared within Makhia. "But... where am I supposed to go?"
Lip fidgeted, avoiding her gaze. "Just... anywhere else, okay?"
Makhia tried Fiona's door first, then Ian's, Carl's, and finally Debbie's, all to no avail. Desperation clawed at her chest as she descended the stairs.
In the living room, Frank was sprawled across the couch, oblivious to her plight. Makhia tugged at his arm, but he remained unmoving, a stubborn deadweight.
She hesitated at the threshold, praying for an empty house. But the shouting and the crash of objects told her otherwise. Inside, her father was waiting, rage twisting his features.
"Where have you been?" he bellowed, advancing on her with heavy footsteps.
Makhia knocked frantically, tears mingling with the rain. V opened the door, concern etched on her face. "Oh, honey, what happened?"
Kev appeared beside her, ushering Makhia inside. She recounted the night's events, voice trembling. "I can't go back there. Please, help me."
Kev stood firm, arms crossed. "Lip, what the hell were you thinking?"
Fiona shook her head, disappointment clear. "You promised to help Makhia, and you let her down."
Lip attempted to apologize, but Kev blocked him, a protective barrier. "Enough. You've done enough damage."
V held Makhia's hand, offering comfort. "We'll figure this out together, okay?"
Makhia nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you... for everything."
And as she settled into the warmth of their home, Makhia knew she had found a place where she truly belonged.
