With Her Friend In Her Arms

she trembles behind the couch again
clutching her bear, her only friend
she cringes as the screams grow louder
ringing in her ears with great force and power
she hears things being thrown around
and cries out as her mother hits the ground
the click of a gun, and then it goes off
her mother's last sound, a dying cough
she quiets her sobs, but it's too late
he comes into the room at a steady gate
grabs her by the hair, yanking her up
all she can do is her teddy bear clutch
he throws her hard against the wall
has a hold of her before she can fall
again and again he hits her with force
finding an outlet for his anger with no source
she kicks out suddenly, grabbing the gun
pulling the trigger as he gets up to run
she drops the gun, no strength left
crawls to her bear, for she can't take a step
"no more, teddy, will he cause harm"
and she died then, with her friend in her arms