Chapter 55: Pandemonium at the Richters.

She finally stopped at the Richter house, a haven in the shadowy night, the only place she recognized through the haze of tears. The waving curtains welcomed her home. She had no recollection of how she got there. Should she even knock? If anyone were to ask her at some point, she would not have been able to tell them. All she knew after she saw Mr. Richter was that she was home.

When Mr. Richter opened the door, she fell into his arms, shaking, her face contorted in pain as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Safe. I am safe. They will protect me! It was the last coherent thought running through her as sobs wracked her body, forcing her into his waiting arms. Before he could say anything, she was there, clinging to him in desperate need of security and comfort.

Almost naked, she was in a terrible state. Her clothes were shredded, revealing more, and her body was covered in red, swollen bruises, especially between her legs.