Going Back

By N.S. Mari

One thing I’ve learned is sometimes running away brings you more trouble than what made you run. And that’s what happened to me. I moved away from my home thinking I can make a better life for myself, but that blew up in my face in the worst way. Literally. So, I packed up my bags and left. But another thing I learned is my luck is just crap. Utter crap. It’s non-existent. Some may think I’m exaggerating, but really, I’m not. What are the odds that I stumble upon my brother’s best friend’s kid lost on my family’s property? Pretty high apparently because that’s exactly what happens. The same friend that I had a crush on all through my childhood. The very same friend that was part of the reason for me leaving. And now it seems everything in the universe is trying it’s best to throw us together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669825227

N.S. Mari

One thing I’ve learned is sometimes running away brings you more trouble than what made you run. And that’s what happened to me. I moved away from my home thinking I can make a better life for myself, but that blew up in my face in the worst way. Literally. So, I packed up my bags and left. But another thing I learned is my luck is just crap. Utter crap. It’s non-existent. Some may think I’m exaggerating, but really, I’m not. What are the odds that I stumble upon my brother’s best friend’s kid lost on my family’s property? Pretty high apparently because that’s exactly what happens. The same friend that I had a crush on all through my childhood. The very same friend that was part of the reason for me leaving. And now it seems everything in the universe is trying it’s best to throw us together.

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Copyright © 2022 by N.S. Mari.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/13/2022

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1     Dianthe Present Day

Chapter 2     Dianthe

Chapter 3     Dianthe

Chapter 4     Dianthe

Chapter 5     Dianthe

Chapter 6     Dianthe

Chapter 7     Dianthe

Chapter 8     Grey

Chapter 9     Dianthe

Chapter 10   Grey

Chapter 11   Dianthe

Chapter 12   Dianthe

Chapter 13   Grey

Chapter 14   Quintin

Chapter 15   Dianthe

Chapter 16   Dianthe

Chapter 17   Grey

Chapter 18   Grey

Chapter 19   Dianthe

Chapter 20   Grey

Chapter 21   Dianthe

Chapter 22   Grey

Chapter 23   Dianthe

Chapter 24   Dianthe

Chapter 25   Dianthe And Grey

Epilogue

Description:

PROLOGUE

19 years ago

I saw the bus leaving but I didn’t want to go home. I want to go see Yaya and Grandpa. They always like to see me. Everyone at home ignores me or tells me to go away. They are so mean. And yesterday John yelled at me because I wanted to be with him and his new friend Grey. I told Clay and he said John was right and I’m annoying.

I know how to go to Yaya and Grandpas house by heart. Everyone at home thinks I’m stupid because I’m still six but I’m not stupid they are. I left the school and started walking. It took a long time, but I got here. Yaya opened the door for me. Dianthe! I gave her a hug. Yaya gives the best hugs. Who brought you here? I walked Yaya. She took me into the house. Glykia mou, you can’t just come here alone. It’s not safe for you to walk here alone from school. Come, go say hi to your Grandpa. I’ll call your mom and tell her you’re here. I went to grandpa, and he gave me hug. I sat on his lap and looked at the newspaper with him. I could hear Yaya yelling on the phone, but I didn’t know what she was saying. I stayed at their house, and they fed me dinner. Yaya makes really yummy food. They took me home after dinner, even though I didn’t want to.

The next day after school I skipped the bus and went to yaya and grandpas house again. I started going almost every day after that.

CHAPTER 1

DIANTHE PRESENT DAY

I saw his fist coming towards my face, I tried to move, but I wasn’t quick enough. He got right under my left eye. I was stunned, but didn’t scream, I did run though. He caught me by my hair before I could get away from him. He was pulling it so hard and holding so tightly, I felt like my skin was going to rip off along with my hair. He turned me around and finally let go of my hair. But before I could even move, he punched me in the ribs, on my left side. I felt something crack right away. That had me screaming. It hurt so bad.

Shut the fuck up! He screamed at me, then punched me in the mouth. I tasted the blood as it pooled in my mouth. I could already feel it running down my chin. I needed to get away from him. I grabbed the closest thing to me, which was a cup. I threw it at him, but just my luck I missed. He came at me even angrier, as if that were even possible. The last thing I saw was his fist coming at my face, then I was out.

I woke up to the sound of things being broken. I kept still and kept my eyes closed, and even if I did want to open my eyes, I couldn’t. I think they were swollen shut. They felt so heavy. My whole body felt like one giant ball of pain. Everything hurt. I think that psycho kept hitting me after I passed out, because I don’t remember my right eye getting hit. I could now hear him in the bedroom breaking things. Fuck I needed to get out of here, but I’m in so much pain I don’t know if I can even move. My left arm is throbbing so badly I wanted to scream, but I bit my tongue. I could still hear him in the bedroom, so I tried to open my eyes. It hurt like hell, but I got my right eye open a little. I was in the kitchen near the sink. I must have fallen here after the last hit. I needed to get out of here before his psycho ass comes back out. But when I tried to move, I almost screamed again. I was able to keep the scream in, just barely. I don’t even know where the pain is coming from at this point.

Then I heard him stomping out the room. I laid still and closed my eye. I could hear him in the living room now, which was right next to me. Since I lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, the living room and the kitchen were pretty much the same room. You would think, with all the screaming and the breaking of things, someone would have called the cops. But no, since I live in the valley in L.A. everyone keeps to themselves. God, I miss home. I wish I never moved to this Godforsaken state.

Finally, after what felt like hours, I heard the front door open then slam shut. I stayed still a little longer, making sure he wasn’t coming back. Once I was sure, I opened my good eye. I tried to push myself up, but almost screamed again. I looked down and could see my left arm looked like it was deformed. It was bent and mangled in an unnatural position. Fuck me, it was definitely broken. So, I used my right arm to push myself up. When I was almost in a seated position, the left side of my ribs started screaming at me, but I didn’t stop. I needed to call the cops.

I dragged myself to the living room to look for my cell phone. Fucking a, my head was pounding, especially the back of it. I touched the back of my head and winched. My hand came back with blood on it. Great. It was split open. I saw my phone on the floor near the couch. I moved towards it and grabbed it. The screen was cracked. I just hope it’s still working. I remember he grabbed it out of my hand and threw it against the wall. It was when I showed him the picture I saw of some bitch he works with posted on her social media. It was of them kissing. That was actually how the whole fight started.

The fucker was cheating on me and had the nerve to get mad and hit me. Isn’t my luck just grand? I tapped the screen and miraculously it was actually working. I dialed 911. I told the operator I was beaten and needed an ambulance. She sprouted off some nonsense, but I just hung up. I was able to actually pull myself in a standing position. I stayed like that.

I heard the sirens sometime later. They really do take forever to come in the valley. I used to hear people around complain, saying you’d probably die before the cops showed up. I used to think they were exaggerating. But now I know they were telling the truth. I looked at my door waiting for them to come in. It was unlocked after all. I was really starting to feel lightheaded though. And my body was going numb. I was also starting to break out in a cold sweat. I really didn’t feel good.

Everything around me started to dim. I could hear the pounding on my door, but it seemed so far away. I watched as the door opened but everything looked fuzzy. Then it all went black.

CHAPTER 2

DIANTHE

There was this really annoying beeping sound. It was ruining my good dream. I dreamt of being at home with Yaya and Grandpa. I opened my eyes slowly, but it hurt like a mother fucker. Only one eye opened. That’s when all the pain kicked in. Every part of my body hurt. Then it all came back to me. The fight with Colin’s psycho cheating ass; him beating me.

I slowly looked around me and saw I was in the hospital. I stayed quiet and looked down at my body. I saw my left arm was in a cast. Damn the fucker broke my arm. I guess it’s better than having my right arm broken, since I was right-handed. Small mercies, I guess. I slowly turned and looked around the room. I saw I was connected to machines, that explains the beeping sound that woke me up. I made sure not to move much, since the pain was somewhat tolerable right now. I wasn’t going to be the idiot that moved around and caused myself more pain.

Oh, you’re awake! How are you feeling? I turned my head and saw a nurse was standing in the doorway staring at me.

I went to answer her, but my throat hurt. Here let me get you some water. I’m sure your throat is hurting. She got me a plastic cup with a straw. She even held for me as I sipped. Small sips. I’m nurse Evans by the way.

I drank small sips like she told me, and it helped a lot. Hi, I croaked. How are you feeling? Nurse Evans asked again. Like I went 10 rounds with a boxer. She chuckled, Well at least you still have a sense of humor. I’ll be right back with Dr. White. She wanted to be informed when you woke up. With that she walked out the door.

A few minutes later she was back with, I’m guessing, Dr. White. Hello Ms. Everett. I’m Dr. White. Nurse Evans tells me you’re in pain. Hello. Yeah, my whole-body hurts. That’s to be expected with your injuries. Do you remember what happened? I nodded my head. I definitely do remember. Well, most of it anyways. So, I told her. I’m so sorry this happened to you Ms. Everett. The detectives came by earlier to get your statement, but you were still asleep. They asked to be contacted as soon as you woke up. Would it be okay with you if I contacted them? I nodded my head.

She checked the monitors and increased the pain medication for me. She also gave me a rundown of all my injuries. I have a broken arm obviously, and it was broken in three different places, three cracked ribs, the back of my head was also split open, so they had stapled it shut. I also I have stitches on the outside of my lower lip and inside it as well. Basically, the injuries I remember from before passing out in my apartment. Once she was done giving me the rundown, she left with nurse Evans. I dozed off again. Whatever pain medication they had me on was strong. Sometime later I woke up to someone called my name.

Ms. Everett. I opened my eyes and saw a man and a woman. Both in suits. I’m guessing they were the detectives. Hello. I answered. Hello Ms. Everett. I’m Detective Stevens and this is Detective Fuller. The man said. I tried to give them some form of a smile, but it hurt to do so. Do you recall what happened? The 911 operator said you told them you were beaten. I nodded my head and told them what happened. They listened and took notes in their notepads.

What is your ex-boyfriends name? Detective Fuller asked. It was the first time she spoke. Colin Whitsett. They both nodded and wrote down his name. They gave me their cards and left. I felt so tired. After telling that story twice now, I just wanted to sleep and forget about it.

But for some reason, I couldn’t fall back asleep. So, I turned on the television. It was better than hearing that beeping sound the whole time. This whole thing seemed so surreal. I should have known he was crazy. But like an idiot I ignored all the signs. I just wanted to experience a relationship. And he was so nice in the beginning. But by the second month of dating, he started changing. He became meaner, always complaining about something I did, or said. He also always complained about me not being ready to sleep with him. Now I’m so thankful I never gave in. I guess part of sub-conscious mind knew he wasn’t good. We were only together for three months, and he expected so much from me. I guess things in L.A. move a lot faster than they do in Montana.

A nurse soon came in with a tray of food for me. It was lunch time. The food had no taste and really needed salt, but I didn’t say anything and ate it slowly. One thing I found out from the doctor was that I been knocked out since yesterday. Makes sense since he was supposed to be coming over to take me out to dinner. Life really does suck. I wish so much that I had never agreed to go out with him in the first place. But like I said, I really wanted to experience a relationship. What a first experience I got.

After I finished my lunch, nurse Evans came back in. Hello Ms. Everett. Call me Dianthe, please. Dianthe. Well, we called your emergency contact, Mr. Everett, your father. He said he would be unable to come, but your mother will be coming instead. I wanted to groan but held it in. Instead, I thanked her.

Dear old mommy dearest. My mother and I don’t get along. Never have. She was always too busy for me when I was little, so I was basically raised by my grandma and grandpa, her parents. The ironic part is everyone around town thinks she’s this amazing person and mother. They don’t know that she would forget about me all the time and shoo me out of any room she was in so she could gossip on the phone with the other church ladies. They don’t know that it was to the point that she wouldn’t even notice that I wouldn’t come home after school. I was only six. Yaya and Grandpa would call her and tell her I was at their house. So yeah, safe to say she wasn’t a particularly good mother to me. The funny thing is, she was only like that with me. She was apparently a great mother to my three older brothers. I don’t know what it is, or why she was the way she was with me. The only thing I could think of was that she just didn’t have the patience to deal with a little kid. See, I was basically an accident. My youngest older brother is older than me by seven years. So yeah, definitely an accident.

My father on the other hand was good to me, but he was always busy working on the ranch they own. I grew up on a horse rehabilitation, and boarding ranch. From what I heard, it used to be a cattle ranch. But when my brothers were old to know what happens to the cattle, they freaked out. So, dad changed it to a horse ranch instead. I only know it as a horse ranch, I wasn’t born yet when they changed it. It was huge. The ranch was about two hundred acres. It was actually really beautiful. There was even a creek that I used to spend most of my time at, well the times I was at home anyways.

I really wasn’t looking forward to being stuck with my mother. I just wish I had friends or was close to my brothers. Anyone besides her. I can only imagine the conversation when she gets here. It’ll go one of two ways. She’ll either blame me for this shit, or she will be awkwardly quiet. I was hoping for the latter.

I looked around the room and the wires and tubes connected to me. Fuck why were there so many? And I needed to pee. The weird thing is I could feel something uncomfortable down in my kitty. I moved the covers off and looked down. That was a mistake. I groaned out loud. They put a fucking catheter in me. I could see the tube sticking out leading towards the bottom of the bed. Yeah, fuck that. I wanted that thing out of me. I hit the little button to summon the nurse. Thankfully the same nurse from earlier came in, nurse Evans, if I remember correctly.

Is everything alright? Umm… Well, I need to use the bathroom, but I noticed that I have a catheter in. Is there any way to take it out? I can walk, I don’t want it in me. She smiled and got to work. But that was after she asked the doctor if it was okay to remove it.

It was fucking embarrassing and uncomfortable as all hell. But I stayed quiet. Once it was out, she helped me stand and moved the IV drip thing that had wheels and helped me into the bathroom. She was nice enough