Mend Me ( I'm Broken)

Seven year old Rose watched her mother get beaten up by her father mercilessly, she heard her mother begging him to stop but he didn't even listen to her cries and kept on punching her anywhere he could, not minding that she was wepregnant. Rose used her palm to cover both her ears to make the sound go away but it was like it was getting louder. She stared at her nearly lifeless mother before turning to her Dad. Her eyes burned with anger; all she could see was red.

Her legs moved on their own towards him with so much speed and she grabbed shards of broken glass on the floor then stabbed him in the eye. He screamed but she didn't stop there; she raised it and slashed h okis arm out. He raised the other hand to push her but her mother blocked her and ended up getting pushed. Her mother fell to the ground and laid there unconscious but Rose wasn't looking at her, she looked at the man who was groaning and wailing in pain. She wasn't satisfied so she grabbed the vase next to her and was about to hit him on the head when a police officer held her hands and picked her up. She squirmed in his arms but he held her down tight while the medics ran into the room and carried her mother and her father on a stretcher. Leah stared at her mother till she was out of her sight after she saw her mother was safely inside the ambulance, she fainted.

"Is she okay?"

"Why is she staring at the wall like that?"

"I have no idea, she has been staring at the wall ever since I brought her here."

The policemen and women wondered why she wasn't saying anything, in fact she wasn't even crying

"I think we should take her to the doctor." Rose turned her head quickly to the voice startling everyone present, they paused for a second before a female police named Elena moved closer to her.

"Hey sweetie are you okay?" Rose moved her mouth but nothing came out, Elena looked at her in confusion

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Rose hesitantly nodded, she walked towards the desk and grabbed a pen and notepad and handed it to Rose. Rose quickly took it and wrote on it.

"Where's my mother?" Elena looked at Rose with sympathy before patting her head.

"Poor thing your mother didn't make it. The doctors tried all they could but they could only save your baby brother.." she paused to look at Rose but Rose just stared back at her emotionlessly

"As for your father..." Rose fists tightened at that word and it didn't go unnoticed by anyone. "He's going to be in prison for a very long time, dear." Rose stared back at her impassively. Elena sighed

"Your uncle, Aunt and your baby brother are waiting for you just right outside this office to take you to your new home. that's where you and your baby brother will stay from now on."

She took Rose's hand and led her to the front desk where her mother's brother, Brian, her uncle and her Aunt Beatrice who was carrying her baby brother in her arms. As soon as Brian saw her he moved quickly towards her. He then bent down to her level and patted her head.

"Oh you poor thing, aunt and I are going to take care of you and Liam okay?" Rose stared at her uncle in confusion.

"Your mother told us to name him Liam before she died." Liam was the name of her mother's father, she nodded slowly at his words.

"Do you want to see him?" Her aunt had already stood up and was walking towards them but halted when Rose hurriedly shook her head.

"Why my dear? Don't be scared, just glance at him."

Her aunt had already gotten closer and had knelt down in order for her to see him completely but Rose was still staring at her uncle. He nodded at her and she hesitantly turned to look at Liam. As soon as she turned her eyes connected with Liam's, they held each other's stare till Liam turned his head away from her and nuzzled into Beatrice's bossoms. Rose's heart swelled as he cooed. She raised her hands and caressed his face as she thanked God that he looked nothing like their father. She stretched out her hands for Liam but Beatrice just laughed, she looked at her in confusion

"When you are a bit older you can carry him in your arms but for now you are too small. Do you want to drop him?" Beatrice smiled at her but she frowned at her before stretching out her arms again. Brian sighed.

"Let's get into the car first then you can hold him. I'm sure the police are tired of us already."

Elena the police woman laughed but didn't deny it. Brian took her hands and led her towards his car with Beatrice following behind with Liam. He helped her get into the car, secured her in the back seat while Beatrice was helping Liam with his car seat. As soon as they were done and had entered the car, they hopped on the road. While Brian was driving and conversing with Beatrice, Rose couldn't stop looking at Liam. To her, he was her only family, right now he was her will to live. Minutes later, they arrived at the house, Brian parked the car in the garage then helped Rose out of the car while Beatrice was helping out Liam. He took her hands and led her into the house.

"Well Rose, this is your new home. Let's make happy memories here." Rose ignored him and walked towards her baby brother who had just been brought in. Beatrice and Brian exchanged glances before Brian broke into a sinister smile, happy memories indeed.

Rose sat down near the only window they had in the shack they called a house but this was all she could afford and they hardly spent their time here so it was somehow convenient for them. Rose sighed before turning back to her sleeping brother. After staying at her uncle's house for 10 years, she decided that enough is enough. She couldn't keep living like a slave and keep enduring the pain and abuse they infused on her because she wanted her brother to have a good life. After so many years she finally ran away and took her brother with her.

She had to do a lot of odd jobs in order for them to survive and for her brother to attend school. She didn't want her brother to live a miserable life like hers, she wanted his to be different and that was why she was doing all these. She sighed before tapping her brother's cheek

"Liam get up, you'll be late for school again." Liam groaned

"I don't wanna go to school." She glared at his sleepy face.

"You better stand up or no ice cream for you today." Liam quickly stood up before running into the bathroom, she laughed before shaking her head after a while she stood up and got ready for work.

"Okay if you need anything don't hesitate to tell your teacher to call me, alright?" Liam nodded gleefully before running towards his group of friends. Rose smiled at his running figure before turning around and going to work. As soon as she got to work, she quickly wore her car washing outfit before going towards the car that just pulled in

"That would be 10$ please," The driver nodded at her before handing her the money then she got down to business. After she had washed like ten cars she was already exhausted, she went towards a chair and sat down with her hand on her forehead. She was already falling asleep when she heard a car horn, she stood up quickly and ran towards the car.

"Hello ma'am, that would be 10$ please." The woman stared at her face.

"Have I seen you before?" Rose shook her head slowly.

"I don't think so ma'am." The woman looked curiously at her.

"What's your name?" Rose fidgeted, she hated talking to people most especially elders but this woman looked nice enough.

"My name is Rose Hathaway." She used her mother's surname instead of her father's because to her she had no father. The woman gasped.

"Is your mother Grace Hathaway?" Rose's eyes widened, that was enough for the woman.

"Oh my dear I'm your Mom's friend, Emily. I remember seeing you when you were still a baby. Look how much you have grown." Emily's face then turned pitiful.

"I'm sorry for your loss, dear." Rose shifted from one leg to another, she didn't like receiving sympathy.

"Dear do you have a home? Do you attend school? Why are you working at this car wash?" Rose hated being interrogated like this but she didn't want to be rude.

"Yes I have an apartment and I don't attend school, I can only afford for my brother to attend." Emily's eyes widened, she didn't know Grace had another child. She looked at Rose from head to toe, she looked very tired and haggard. She felt sad for this young girl. She reached into her bag and brought out a business card.

"Take this." Rose hesitated before reaching for it, stared at it before looking back at Emily

"This is my business card. I want to offer to take you to school and offer you a place to stay." Rose's eyes widened before she thrust the card back towards Emily.

"Ma'am, that's too much. I don't have any kind of degree, what kind of work can you possibly give me? And I have no problem with where I'm staying now." Emily smiled at her

"Don't worry about that dear. See the number on that card? Call it if you are willing to accept my offer or you can just stop by my office." Emily smiled at her before reaching into her purse and handing Rose 200$. Rose almost lost her balance.

"Ma'am this is too..." Emily started her engine and drove off leaving Rose dumbfounded, she looked up at the sky with a smile.

"Mother?Thank you." She squeezed the money in her hand before going back to sit down.

Rose walked all the way to Liam's school with the ice cream she promised in hand.. She was so tired she felt like she could sleep on the sidewalk if she could. She yawned as Liam's school came into view. Just then an ambulance drove quickly into the school. As Rose entered the school she saw the teachers panicking, she ran towards the crowd.Upon reaching there what she heard made her stop.

"Is that Liam?"

"Yes, I heard he fainted in class. I wonder what happened."

Rose's eyes widened, her breathing was getting heavier with every step she took. When she finally saw her brother on the stretcher she felt like her world crashed.

"Liam!!!!!" she yelled as she ran towards the stretcher. The medics tried to pull her away but she wouldn't budge.

"Why isn't he waking up?" The medics frowned at her.

"Young lady, you are delaying us, if you want to come along please join us in the ambulance." The medics then pushed the stretcher into the ambulance. Rose inhaled before following behind them.

Rose sat in the waiting area, staring at the door in which they just pushed Liam through emotionlessly. She felt empty at the moment and she was sure she would feel worse if something bad were to happen to him. Just then the doctor came out and walked towards her, she stood up

"Doctor, what's wrong with him?" The doctor sighed.

"Young lady, By what we heard from your brothers teacher, he has been having symptoms of Cancer, we are not too sure yet to don't panic" He assured her

"But if he has, Don't fret, it can still be treated as it would be in its first stage.," the doctor added. Rose. breathed out before staring at the doctor

"How much would it be to treat him if he were to have cancer? And checkups?"

"Two hundred thousand dollars.." Rose almost vomited blood. Where was she going to see that kind of money? She nodded at the doctor and he walked away. She inhaled, - she knew where she had to go.

"Ma'am, there's a young girl here to see you.," Emily's secretary said through the intercom.

"Let her in." As Rose walked in, Emily's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly stood up and walked over to her.

"My dear, are you here for the offer?" Rose nodded. Emily smiled back at her gleefully.

"But I need a favor, ma'am." Emily stared at her curiously.

"What is it dear?"

"Please lend me two hundred thousand dollars."....

Emily stared at her curiously, Wondering what a girl of her age needed that large amount of money for

"Why?" Rose fidgeted, she didn't like sharing her problems with others

"My brother.....he might have cancer and for him to get thoroughly checked, I need to pay first and just In Case he does have cancer, I don't want to wait till that dying moment before I pay" Emily gasped

"Oh my darling, alright I'll give you the money but on one condition" Rose stared back at her

"What is it ma'am?" Emily smiled at her

"You and your brother will come stay with me." Rose gasped

"But ma'am.. I... I"

"Don't turn down my over dear child, you and your brother need someone to take care of you and I would like to help." Rose sighed

"Why are you so nice to me?" She asked softly. emily smiled at her before patting her head

"Because I owe your mother, she saved me" Rose's eyes widened, saved her?, How?, She wondered

"I know you are probably Wondering how but that's a story for another day, Take this cheque" she quickly wrote down the amount on the cheque and gave it to Emily

" go help your brother" Rose nodded hesitantly before turning towards the door

"When your brother has been discharged, you guys can come find me here" Emily smiled kindly at her, Rose nodded her head before walking out of the office, right now she won't think of anything else except helping her brother.

Liam opened his eyes slowly and stared at his sister's worried face, he tried to sit up but the glare she threw at him made him think twice

"What happened rose?" Rose stood up and poured soup from the thermostat she prepared before coming here. She then headed towards the bed and sat down.

"Open your mouth." Liam obediently opened his mouth, he was already used to his sister's harshness and lack of words.

when he had ate enough he rested back down on the bed, rose kept the bowl on the table before turning back to him

"What happened to me rose?" She sighed

"The doctor sad you might have cancer" Liam breath hitched

"What?!!How?!!" Rose rubbed her face

"I should be asking you that, Have you been experiencing symptoms of cancer? " Liam frowned

"I don't know the symptoms of cancer but I've been having frequent headaches and one time I bled from my nose but I thought it was because I read too much," He explained. Rose glared at him, all these had been happening to him and he didn't bother to tell her??!Was she that unapproachable?, She frowned. Liam noticed her change of mood and decided to change the topic.

"To treat cancer is very expensive, how did you get the money?" Rose stared back at him impassively, he gasped

"Don't tell me you....you became a striper?" Rose harshly glared at Liam

"No I didn't become a striper, one of mom's friend lended me the money" Liam stared at her with wide eyes

"And you accepted!!??" She flicked his forehead

"Don't yell at me and yes I did. She was the safest option or do you prefer I became a striper?" Liam pouted

"How much?"

"200,000$." Liam shrieked

"You have got to be kidding me. What did she want in return?" Rose groaned,

this kid was getting on her nerves instead of him to be happy he is here interrogating her like a detective, ungrateful brat!!

"After you have been discharged, we are going to be living with her and she's going to send us to better schools" Liam stared at her like she had two heads

"Mother fuc......"

"Language!!" Liam recoiled at her voice but he still stared at her weirdly

"What have you done to my sister?"....

"Ma'am, that same young girl is here to meet you and she came with someone" Emily's secretary said through the intercom.

"Please, let her in" she stood up and waited for both of them. As soon as they walked in they greeted her and stood there awkwardly, she smiled at them

"Young boy, what is your name?" Liam looked at his sister for approval, when she nodded he turned back to look at Emily

" Liam," he said quietly. Emily moved towards him and patted his head before looking at them closely

"Where are your luggages?" Liam pointed towards their backpacks.

"We don't have much, all our things are in our backpacks" Emily's heart ached for this beautiful children, she sighed

"Alright let's go home now" Rose froze, she remembered when her and her mother always went out, her mother used to say these exact words when they were going back home. She inhaled before breathing out a shaky breath, Liam squeezed her hand to show her he was here for her. Liam didn't know the whole story but he was always there when his sister started acting up like this. Emily stared at them, this siblings had been through so much it was evident in their closeness and reservedness

"Let's go now, follow me" she smiled at them, picked up her bag before walking out the door with Rose and Liam behind her.

As soon as they got to Emily's house or should I say mansion, Liam and Rose couldn't keep their mouths closed, although Rose had seen riches before this all felt new to her after living in hardship for so long. As soon as Emily parked the car, they got out

"Wow!!!, Rose this place is huge" Rose gaped at the sight of the house, it was so beautiful and clean

"What are you guys doing there?, Come on let's go in" Rose held Liam's hand as they followed behind Emily.

"Well this is your new home" Rose and Liam gasped loudly, the inside was even more beautiful. They were amazed.

"Mother you are back." A girl ran down the staircase towards them. She stopped in her track when she saw rose and Liam, she smiled kindly at them

"Mother, who are they?"

"Where's your brother?" The girl scratched her head

"I dunno, his room maybe."

"Go call him, I need to tell you both something." The girl groaned before grudgingly climbing back up the stairs. Emily turned back to smile at them before turning back towards the stairs. After some minutes, the same girl came running down but this time with a boy behind her, Rose stared at him, he seemed to be the same age as her, maybe a year older or two. Suddenly their eyes meant as he climbed down the stairs, Rose quickly averted her eyes from His.

"Mother, who are these people?" His voice sent an unknown chill down Rose's spine and she didn't like it

"Rose, Liam these are my children, aiden and Andrea" They all stared at each other

"They are going to be living with us from now on." Aiden and Andrea gasped