A Casual Visit
By Sophia Carroll, Philomena Colagiuri and Josephine Lee
A casual visit -
Attacker
Ding-dong The door opens and I am welcomed in. We exchange greetings and then a sudden urge to excrete overwhelms me. I rush to the nearest bathroom and close the door but as I sit down I notice a dirty, mouldy old rag on the floor and cringe. I reach for the reel but instead of feeling soft paper I feel nothing but stiff cardboard. Panicking I call out for help and wait anxiously. 7 minutes pass and I can’t take the stress any longer, looking around for something to use there I saw it catching my eye from across the floor, dirty and mouldy. After serious thought I made the decision And bend down holding the rag in my hand. I close my eyes not believing what I am about to do.
But it was too late -
Victim
I came back with toilet paper But it was too late, Too late to be forgiven, Too late to go back and do over. If only I had been there a few seconds earlier, Everything would have been alright. I’m distraught, So distraught that I can’t think, Think of an escape plan. Because, I’m scared. His heavy footsteps remain pounding in my head. I catch a glimpse of him, His eye sockets exploding and anger raging, And stare directly at him, Every inch of my strength being used in an effort to not break down, Break down into a waterfall of tears. His utter distress remains present in the room. Suddenly his deep voice infiltrates my body, A sharp pain strikes my heart. I listen to him shouting, His dark actions reflecting his pain, And I know there is no hope. If only. If only. It’s too late to think of the past, I have to be focused on the present. Because I know it’s too late.
I hack at his leg
I reach for the axe... -
Attacker
I could feel rage bubbling up inside of me, my blood boiling veins popping head ready to explode. I had to arm myself with something anything and there I saw it hanging on the wall, the sharp blade gleaming in the light. I reach for the axe and head towards him. He had to pay for what he did he needed to know how much pain and discomfort he had caused me. I could see the terror appear in his eyes it almost thrilled me. He begged and pleaded but I refused to give in. A newfound strength filled my body as I lift the axe above my head eyes fixed on my prey.
and a piercing shriek escapes him as he collapses to his knees. I go in for a second hit and raise the axe once again striking him hard on the head. He falls to the ground face first lying there still.
Right outside the door - Girlfriend We had to hide. The toilet was the only option. There was nowhere else to go. I grabbed the door knob and flung the door open. We ran inside, locked the door, and sat there. Just sat there. On the cold tiles, in the same toilet. The toilet with no paper, which started this bloody argument. My heart beat faster as we heard his footsteps, louder and louder, searching for us like a wild boar scavenging for prey. He stopped at the toilet. Right outside the door, as if he had sensed us inside, trembling and hesitantly breathing. I could hear him hacking at the door, with that axe, tearing through the door. Panic rising, I reach for my mobile, my hands clammy and shaking, my breaths turning into short, desperate rasps, and my fingers pressing all the wrong numbers. Zero. Zero. Zero. Come on. I get frustrated at myself, frustrated at myself for feeling so scared. I hear him roar with anger. That lunatic. Finally. Hello? Please, please, help us.
The judge orders a hearing Attacker It has come. The day has finally come. My time to defend myself, My time to shine. Ever since the unfortunate event, I have been judged, And I have been continuously betrayed. The judge gavels. Knock, Knock, Knock. We stand. My lawyer closely by my side. My choice to plead innocent, Unwelcomed upon amongst others in the hearing. I am called upon, The audience glaring, The judge peering…. But it is only I, Who can restore the truth. It is only I, Who experienced the pain… FIRSTHAND. My explanation is Strong, Understanding, reliable. Although I cannot help but feel overwhelmed, Unprotected, And bare. My eyes glance towards the men in black. Security Guards, Barricading any visible source of the outside world. I feel as though I am a tiger, Stuck in captivity, Vulnerable,
And Unable to regain strength. Hope remains minimal The judge gavels, Knock, Knock, Knock, Suddenly the unwanted words strike me. “GUILTY” 18 months.
And then this -
Victim
What just happened? I really don't know. I sit up, And look around the room. My head... Then she came in and sat next to me. Stitches? I find myself shiver. A toilet with no paper, an argument over nothing, and then this. I realise the ringing in my head. Loud, and painful. I lift my hand, reaching for my head, but she stops me. Rest. Yes, rest... Even lying down on this comforting pillow hurts like hell.
One, two, three, four, and five. Five stitches, hospitalised, shocked, and traumatised. All because it was too late I was Too late.