You know what. I'm done trying to update every day. My mentality can't be linear enough to handle that kind of stress and commitment. oh and this chapter is totally me projecting my emotions onto Rainbow Dash, like always. Enjoy :)
Trigger warning: intrusive thoughts, mentions of abuse and cursing

"GET BACK DOWN HERE, YOU STUPID WHORE!!"

Rainbow slammed the door shut, immediately locking it. She hoped and prayed that her father didn't follow her upstairs. That'd definitely would end up bad. Rainbow Dash leaned against the door, trying to calm her erratic breathing.

"Fuck." She grumbled under her breath.

Her heart pounded inside of her chest. She listened for any footsteps. It was quiet. Perhaps he wasn't going to attack her just yet. Seconds felt like hours, just standing there, listening. Rainbow Dash suddenly recognized the faint sound of the front door slamming closed.

Could he be leaving??

Rainbow crept over to the window, making sure to not step on the creaking parts of the wooden floor. The teen peeked out of her bedroom window down to the driveway. She could see her dad marching over to his car, obviously angry. Lightning had a bottle in his hand. He climbed into his car. A moment later the car started and backed up out of the driveway. Rainbow watched in sweet relief as her monster of a father drove away.

Rainbow could feel herself physically relax. She shakily turned away from the window. She took a moment to assess what just happened. It wasn't new for this to happen.

Rainbow winced when she touched her face. Her cheek hurt like hell. She didn't want to look in the mirror to see the damage her father had done. She mentally kicked herself. If only she'd done a better job at cleaning, her father wouldn't have gotten so angry. Then again, nothing she ever did was good enough.

A wave of dark gloom suddenly took hold of her.

Rainbow felt herself getting choked up, her eyes burning. She pursed her lips together in a tight line. Rainbow walked over to her bed, her feet dragging. Rainbow didn't even make it to the bed. She just collapsed right before she got to it. Rainbow felt to her knees. She sat up, her back against her bed, drawing her knees up to hug them. Rainbow's breathing became uneven.

She suddenly choked out a sob. Before she could stop herself, she was full on sobbing in her hands. She tried to keep her sobs quiet, even though she knew she was alone in the house.

Fear gripped her. Fear of her situation she was in. Fear of the future. Fear of what would happen when her dad came home later. The stress of it all was weighing down on her.

Rainbow's chest felt as though a weigh was on top of her, crushing her, making it hard to breathe.

'C'mon, Dash. Pull yourself together. You can't fall apart right now. You're better than that!!'

Rainbow Dash furiously wiped her tears away. She forced herself to stop crying, her breathing ragged. She angrily blinked back tears.

She was FINE. She could get through this. She probably deserved the beating. She always deserved it. The sound of a ringtone make her jump. She looked over at where her phone was lying on her bed. Rainbow crawled over to her bed. She reached up and snatched her phone off the sheets. Looking at the screen, she felt the tiniest bit of happiness blossom in her chest.

Applejack. Her girlfriend of 2 years and her life long best friend. Rainbow had known AJ since they were kids. It was amazing how Rainbow Dash had been able to hide her home life from Applejack for so long. Sure, there had been close calls when Applejack had asked about bruises or noticed that Rainbow never let her come over to her house or if she was ever in pain.

Rainbow Dash desperately wanted to tell her, so she could just know the truth. But every time she thought of revealing her dark secret to her, she'd remember the death threats her father would say to her and she'd change her mind. She knew her father would kill her and anyone else to keep this hidden. She couldn't tell anyone. Not if she wanted to die.

Rainbow looked at the phone screen, pondering on if she should answer it. She sniffled and decided to answer it. She hadn't talked to AJ in days, since they were on an extended weekend from school. She hadn't felt safe enough to talk to anyone while her dad was home. AJ must notice something was wrong.

Rainbow cleared her throat. She pressed answer. Bringing the phone to her ear, she tried to keep her voice leveled.

"Hey, AJ." She greeted, trying to keep her voice upbeat and happy.

"Hey, babe. Rainbow. I've been tryna call n' text ya all weekend. Ah got worried since you haven't read the texts or called back at all. What's up?"

Rainbow internally panicked. She made up a lie on the spot.

"Yeah uh..... everything's fine. I just... I lost my phone and I only just found it not too long ago today haha."

Rainbow could feel her nose running. She sniffled and exhaled a shaky breath.

"Are you alright, baby?" Applejack asked, concern in her voice.

Rainbow bit her lip. That one question brought back all the events that had just happened not too long ago. Applejack didn't deserve to be lied to. She was only concerned for her safety and wanting to be there for Rainbow. Rainbow purses her lips together.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"Mhm" was all she could get out, but she could hear the strangled emotion in her voice.

Rainbow held a hand up to her mouth, forcing herself to hold back a sob. If she cried now, her secret would come out.

"Rainbow...... ah know when you're lyin'. Talk to me, baby. Are you alright? Do you want me to come over??"

Rainbow Dash knew she couldn't hide it any longer. She couldn't live like this anymore. She needed to escape and Applejack was the only person who could help her.

Rainbow uncovered her mouth, her lips quivering. Her chest felt tight and heavy. She could only choke out three little words.

"I need you."

It was silent on the other end of the phone. Rainbow could hear movement.

"Ah'm comin' over." Applejack said. "Are ya hurt?"

Rainbow Dash bit her lip, wondering if she should tell.  She took a deep breath to calm herself down enough to speak clearly.

"Um...... just..... get here..... you'll see for yourself."

With that Rainbow hung up. She sat there, frozen for what seemed like hours. She seriously just did that. Applejack was on her way now. To help her. She was going to find out about everything.

Rainbow was terrified, yet relieved. This could be her way out. AJ wouldn't let this continue.

The vibration of her phone caught her attention. She looked down at her phone.

AJ: I'm here

Rainbow stood up. Her whole body was shaking. She felt ready to collapse back down to the floor. She wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or exhaustion.

Rainbow made her way to her door and unlocked it, slowly opening it and peeking her head out. She wasn't sure why, but she checked the hallway for any sign of her dad. She was paranoid he was still home.

Rainbow made her way through the silent home, to her front door. She hesitated for a moment when she got to the door. She took a deep breath to calm the nerves and doubt in her mind. This had to be done. She unlocked and slowly cracked it open, peeking through the crack. Applejack stood there, looking down at her phone. She must've heard the creak of the door and her head shot up.

Rainbow opened the door, stepping aside for her to come in. Once Applejack was inside, Rainbow Dash closed and locked the door. She didn't say anything. She grabbed Applejack's hand and led her upstairs. AJ didn't say anything either. They went into Rainbow Dash's bedroom. Rainbow locked the door. She sighed, staring at the wood.

"Baby?" Applejack spoke up. "What's goin' on? Are you alright?"

Rainbow turned around. Applejack's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open. She must've saw the bruises.

"Oh my goodness....." Applejack breathed.

She came up to Rainbow. She slowly brought a hand up to Rainbow's bruised up face. The sudden contact made Rainbow whimper and flinch on instinct. She coiled away from the touch, wincing at the pain in her body and face. She had totally ignored any other possible bruises on her body up until now. She could feel the pain in different areas, her stomach, ribs, arms. It all hurt. Rainbow pulled down her long sleeves, hoping to hide any more evidence.

"Rainbow. What happened??" Applejack asked, shaking her head. "Who did this to you?"

Rainbow looked down at the floor.

"My dad." She whispered. "He beats me."

Applejack's expression turned into a look of horror.

"What?!!"

Rainbow flinched. Applejack immediately regretted her outburst.

"Baby." She said, her voice softer this time. "How long has this been goin' on??"

Rainbow swallowed nervously.

"Since my mom died. So, for a long time."

Applejack took her by the hands. She pulled her close. Rainbow looked up into her emerald eyes. She felt all her raging emotions coming back, tears once again fighting to come out.

Rainbow felt arms wrap around her waist, holding her safe. Rainbow's vision blurred. She blinked, not wanting to hold it in anymore. She let out a sob, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Applejack." She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. "I'm scared."

Applejack pulled her into a hug, wrapping her arms protectively around her. She let Rainbow cry as she told her everything. The abuse, the reason behind it, why she never told anyone. At some point Applejack moved them to the bed. They sat down, Rainbow still clinging on to AJ.

"I can't do it anymore, AJ. I don't wanna be here. I can't take this anymore. I know I'll die if I stay. I couldn't keep this a secret from you anymore. You had to know." Rainbow said in between sobs and sharp inhales.

She sniffled and wiped a tear away.

"Rainbow." Applejack said, her voice soft yet firm. "Please listen to me."

Rainbow looked at her. She pursed her lips together in a tight line to keep herself from crying again. Applejack had a serious look on her face.

"Ah'm gonna getcha out of here. Pack your bag. We're leavin' and goin ta my house."

Rainbow nodded. She and Applejack hurried to pack a duffel-bag. Rainbow grabbed her school bag as well. Applejack packed Rainbow's medications, her charger, her phone, toothbrush, random clothes, and under clothes. Rainbow grabbed her wallet, put on a hat and a jacket. She quickly slipped on her sneakers, lacing them up. She tied up her hair in a messy ponytail, making sure to have extra hair ties on her. She probably looked like a mess.

Rainbow took only a few personal items that she didn't want to be destroyed once her father realized she was gone. A picture frame of her mom, a stuffed animal she loved, her journal and small trinkets and pictures from her friends. She had kept all this hidden from her dad.

After gathering all the things Rainbow Dash needed, the girls got out of there. Rainbow locked the front door, stuffing the house key into her pocket. The two got into Applejack's truck and drove away. Rainbow kept looking back to make sure her dad wasn't there.

As they drove down the street, Rainbow couldn't help but feel unsure of her decision. She had just ran away from home. Holy crap. Rainbow could feel the anxiety rising as she has finally realized what she had just done. She exhaled slowly, rubbing her suddenly sweaty palms on her pants. What if this all goes wrong? What if her dad finds her and drags her back home? Where would she live? What about money? She didn't have a full time job. She'd need to find one.

Rainbow felt a hand take hers. Rainbow turned her head and saw Applejack's hand holding her own.

"Rainbow. It's gonna be ok, alright? Ah promise Ah'm gonna do everything ah can to make sure you're free of that place. Ah'll keep you safe and take care of you. Ah promise."

Rainbow looked up at her. She smiled a little, squeezing AJ's hand gently.

The rest of the way to Applejack's house was quiet. The two continued to hold hands the whole time. When they got there, Applejack parked in the driveway and turned off the ignition. She looked at Rainbow Dash.

"Mah dad is here. Think you can handle seein' him?"

Rainbow nodded. Jackson, Applejack's dad, was pretty much her father figure. She trusted and loved Jackson. He'd never hurt Rainbow Dash like her actual dad.

"I like your dad. He's cool."

"Alright." AJ replied. "If at any time you feel uncomfortable or afraid, don't hesitate ta let me know. Do you want me to talk to him and tell him what happened? Ah mean, he's gonna notice the bruises and ask questions."

Rainbow looked down at her lap. She shrugged and nodded.

"Ok. I guess we can tell him. I'd want him to know just in case my dad finds out where I am."

The girls gathered up all the stuff and walked up to front door of the house. AJ unlocked it and opened the door. Rainbow tensed up at the sound of the door opening. She froze, clutching Applejack's arm. Applejack looked at her and noticed her reaction.

"It's ok." She said, her voice calming. "It's safe here. C'mon."

The two went inside. AJ made sure to lock the door.

"Ah'm back!" She called. "Ah have Rainbow with me!"

Rainbow heard footsteps in the other room. Jackson appeared in the doorway. He smiled when he saw them.

"Hey, RD." He greeted warmly, a smile on his face.

He walked up to the girls. As he got closer, his expression turned a frown and concern and shock.

"Oh my.... what happened to ya?" He asked.

Rainbow looked at the floor, folding her arms. Another person would have to find out about her dad.

Applejack noticed her reaction and stepped in.

"Why don't we sit down? We need ta talk." She said, firmness in her voice.

The girls put the bags down by the door and the three of them went into the living room. They settled down on the couch. Applejack held on to Rainbow's hand. Rainbow didn't look at anyone, just staring at the floor, a distant look in her eyes.

AJ looked at her dad, sighing.

"Um, how do ah say it?" She mumbled, trying to figure out how to word what she was going to say.

"Who hurt her?" Jackson asked, without hesitation.

Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash then her dad.

"Her dad." She said. "Ah called Rainbow cuz we hadn't talked all weekend. Ah got a lil worried. Ah called her today and she finally picked up. Ah heard her cryin' and she told me she needed me there, so ah went to her house. She let me in and ah saw the bruises. She told me everything."

Applejack retold everything Rainbow had told her. Jackson was quiet and serious the whole time, occasionally looking at Rainbow, who refused to look up from the floor.

"Then we packed a bag and ah got her outta there. It ain't safe for her, Pa."

Jackson nodded. "I agree. So is she staying here with you?"

Applejack looked over at Rainbow Dash.

"Baby." She said, bringing Rainbow's attention back to the present. Rainbow looked up at her shyly.

"Would you like to stay here with me for a while? Ah wouldn't mind at all if you did. It's only me here."

Rainbow seemed to ponder it over. That sounded really good, but...

"I....... I don't want to be a burden on you guys." She said.

Applejack shook her head.

"Of course not, RD." She said, turning her body to face Rainbow. "You ain't a burden to stay with me. We love you and we want to keep you safe. You mean everything ta me. You ain't going home with that monster."

Rainbow nodded. She smiled a little.

"Ok. I want to stay here. I don't want to go back home ever again."

Rainbow suddenly had flashes of memories. Times when her father beat her into submission. The times he'd throw her, slap her, yell terrible insults at her for the smallest things. When he'd lunge at her. Nearly killed her.

Rainbow gasped, jerking forward, her whole body reacting. Rainbow fell to the floor, curling up in a ball, hands over her head. Her heart rate skyrocketed. Tears returned to her eyes as the fear and panic set it.

"Rainbow." She heard a voice call out to her.

Rainbow felt a hand on her arm, but it wasn't harming her.

"You're safe, Rainbow. It's ok. You're safe."

Rainbow slowly uncovered her head, peeking up to see Applejack kneeled down beside her, looking down at her with concern. Rainbow realized what had just happened. She slowly sat up, looking around.

"It felt so real." She whispered. "The memories of all the times he........I just had a flashback of him and......."

Rainbow looked up at AJ. She blinked, the tears freely streaming down her cheeks.

"He hurt me so bad. He's a monster, AJ. Please don't let him get me. I don't want to go home. He'll kill me for sure this time if I go back."

Rainbow broke down again for the third time that day. She couldn't contain her emotions anymore. They had been hidden deep inside for so long at it was too much for her. Rainbow felt hands holding her, arms wrapping around her. A kiss on the top of her aching head. She felt safe. For once, she felt safe. Rainbow melted into Applejack's arms, openly sobbing.

"You ain't goin' back." Applejack promised. "Ah won't let him hurt cha again."

They stayed like that for a while, letting Rainbow get everything off her chest. After she had gotten everything out and couldn't cry anymore, she was exhausted. She simply let Applejack hold her in her arms, sniffling and wiping her now reddened and slightly swollen eyes.

"Why don't chu get Rainbow settled in in the guest room next to your room?" Jackson suggested quietly.

"Get some eyes for those bruises. Her cheek seems swollen."

Applejack gently pulled Rainbow away from her to get a look at her face. Her dad was right. Rainbow's badly bruised cheek was swollen and Rainbow had a faint black eye. That definitely needed to be treated.

Applejack and Jackson carried Rainbow's stuff up to the guest bedroom. Rainbow looked around the room. It was a decent size. It was a dark red color. The floor was nothing but rug. There was a large bed, a dresser with a vanity mirror, a closet, a few lamps and a ceiling fan.

"Once you get comfortable and use to being here, you can change up the room and add your own stuff to the place. Maybe one day we could paint the walls whatever color you want." Jackson said.

Rainbow smiled to herself. She nodded.

"Ok, and thanks you guys. Really, this means so much to let me stay here."

"It ain't no problem at all." Applejack replied. "You know you're always welcomed here anyway. You might as have lived here sooner. Ah love havin' you in the house. You slept over so many times, this move in was basically gonna happen eventually. Sorry it's under bad circumstances, but still. You're here."

AJ took Rainbow Dash's hand.

"Now, let's get cha some ice for your face and take a look at those other bruises."

Jackson told the girls to stay while he fetched some medical supplies.

Rainbow Dash folded her hands, looking around her new room. It was all so crazy. Everything was happening so quickly.

"Applejack?" She said, looking at her girlfriend.

Applejack hummed in response.

"Yeah, baby?" She replied.

Rainbow's eyes flickered around.

"What...... What's gonna happen now?? I legally can't just stay here and never go back, right? I have to go back by tomorrow."

Applejack immediately shook her head.

"Oh no you're not. No way are you goin' back to your dad's house. How about ah call Twilight and ask her what we should do??"

Rainbow thought about it for a moment. Twilight was a genius in everything. Her mother was a lawyer, and so Twilight had learned from her. Plus, Twilight was one of their closest friends. They'd wanna know what was going on and to help.

Rainbow nodded in agreement.

"Ok" She agreed.

AJ nodded.

"Ah'll go give her a call. I'll be right outside the doorway, ok?"

Rainbow nodded. Applejack pecked her on her unbruised cheek before standing up and walking out of the room.

Rainbow sighed, running her hands through her hair. Jackson walked in, holding a bunch of stuff. Rainbow sat up straight, eyeing the items.

Jackson set the stuff down on a towel, kneeling down in front of Rainbow Dash. He looked at her.

"Alrighty then. Do you want me to wait until Applejack gets back in here or do you just wanna start?"

Rainbow shrugged.

"You can start with the bruises and stuff on my face for now, but have Applejack take a look on the rest of my body."

Jackson silently nodded.

"Ok. Here."

He reached out his hands and gently Rainbow's face. He examined her face, turning her head gently. He prodded and ran his fingers over any bruise or cut on her face, figuring out how bad the injury was. He put on bandages on the cut below her eye, put healing ointment for the split lip. He handed her an ice pack for the bruise on her cheek and her black eye. The black eye wasn't that bad. It wasn't too swollen and she could see a little bit out of it without having it hurt too much.

After Jackson gave her some painkillers, he told her that he would make her a sandwich or something so she could eat something.

As Jackson walked out of the room, Applejack walked in. She walked over to Rainbow and sat down beside her.

"What did she say?" Rainbow asked.

"Um, she said that she'd talk to her mom about it and that we did the right thing by getting you out of that house. She told me that her mom and her would stop by tomorrow to talk to us. There's a chance we'll have to go to the police about this. We'll have to report the abuse."

Rainbow was silent as it all sank in. She exhaled.

"Oh......."

Applejack didn't speak, just letting her process the information. Rainbow looked down at her hands that were now trembling.

"My dad's gonna go to jail?" She asked.

Applejack gave a quiet "Yeah."

Rainbow began playing with the sleeve of her jacket absentmindedly, her eyes staring into space.

"I........ but I deserved it-"

"No you didn't" Applejack sharply cut her off, her voice still quiet.

"Rainbow, look at me."

Rainbow looked up at her. Her eyes were filled with so many emotions. Fear, panic, relief, sadness, pain, uncertainty, shock, and guilt were all there in her magenta hued irises. Applejack took her by the hand. She could feel Rainbow Dash trembling. AJ squeezed her gently.

"It ain't your fault that your dad hurt you. It's not, ok? You didn't deserve that treatment. You deserve to be happy and loved and safe in your own home. Nothin' less."

Rainbow nodded slowly, taking in the words she only partially believed to be true.

"Alright. Thanks."

Applejack grinned.

"Ah don't lie, RD. You know that."

Applejack leaned in and rested her forehead against Rainbow's forehead. She gently cupped Rainbow's cheek, her other hand on Rainbow's farthest hip. The two stared at one another, a tension between the two. But they both knew that Rainbow did not need that type of affection at the time, considering her injuries and emotional state.

So they just stayed that way, just staring into each other's eyes in comfortable silence.

In that moment, nothing else mattered more than the girl in front of one another. Everything else seemed to have been miles away.

So yeah. Comment and like this if you enjoyed this and any thoughts about this, let me know in the comments :)