Love Through Pain Read Free

palms over her mouth, as the other fella raped her, tearing into her body with no mercy.
    It was beyond painful, but there were no more tears to cry —she gave up—her soul must have left her, because after a while, she felt nothing. Their laughter felt like a physical blow while they took turns assaulting her. When they were done, they continued to beat her until she could no longer stay conscious.
    Jazmine woke up screaming , “No! No! Don’t touch me. Don’t fucking touch me, no!”
    “Jazmine… Jazmine … it’s just a dream, you’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you,” a deep masculine voice whispered. The room was dark, but she could feel him; he was close, but never once did he touch her. “You’re safe now. No one will hurt you again.”
    Her breathing slowed , and she eventually went back to sleep. In her dreams, she relived the attacks, but his voice would soothe her every time.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    “No!” Jazmine screamed, jerking awake again. She glanced at her surroundings and realized she was safe. She calmed down—remembering the man who’d helped her when no one else would. He brought her to his mother’s house, and they took care of her. Her vision blurred as she inspected the room; there was a flag with one star hanging by the window, but she was unsure of its representation because blobs of colors were all she could make out. Items she thought could be cars, or trophies, and pictures, sat on the bookshelves to her right.
    Something touched her hand, making her pull back. When she looked over to her left, she blinked several times and managed to see two light brown irises. A child, and he just smiled at her.
    It was a little boy with curly brown hair ; he must’ve been around five years old. His elbows sunk into the mattress, and he just stared at her. “Hi.” The child grinned.
    It was painful as she tried to return the gesture. “He-llo…”
    “Why are you in my uncle’s bedroom ? Who are you? Why is your face swollen—” He asked her about ten questions in less than thirty seconds. “Tio doesn’t live here, but he doesn’t like strangers in his room.” He politely finished, placing his chin in his hands.
    “Carlitos, where are you?” She heard a female voice yelling.
    He sighed, “Shhh.” And then put his index finger over his mouth before giggling.
    There was a soft knock on the door, and then someone opened it. Jazmine could see the look of surprise in the girl’s eyes when she saw her face.
    She glared over at the child. “Carlitos, I told you not to come in here.” The teenage girl scolded him. “Miss , I’m sorry he bothered you.” She grabbed his wrist and lugged him toward her.
    “He’s okay .” Jazmine scooted up.  Pain ripped through her belly.
    “I just wanted to say hi to Tio’s new girlfriend, but Monica is prettier.” The boy said, trying to escape her grip.
    “That’s not his girlfriend.”
    Jazmine wondered if the boy was her brother , they resembled each other. They had the same eyes. She was tall and skinny with freckles.
    “What happened to her face? Did Uncle Javy hit her?”
    “Carlito, Javy would never hit a woman.” The girl raised her voice at him.
    “Grandma said, I need to treat girls like princesses if I want them to treat me like a prince.” He watched her sympathetically. “I hope you feel better.” Carlitos left the room.
    “My name is Lucy and that was my terrible nephew , Carlitos.” She put her hand on the door, but before she exited, she turned around. “Do you need anything?”
    “No, thank you.” It was getting easier to speak.
    “If you do, just yell my name and I’ll come. My brother stepped out to get his truck, but he’ll be right back.” She spun on her heel and followed the route her nephew had taken.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Maria, Javier’s mother, came running into the room and rushed over to her. “Sweetie, it was just a dream.”
    Jazmine didn’t realize she was still screaming.
    Maria sat