The Other Half

"The Other Half" A short story by Lauren Ashleigh

"Hey mom, I'm back," I said.
The house shook as I slammed the door shut.
"It's about time you got back here, Gwen" I heard an angry voice call. "I told you to be home two hours ago."
"Sorry, I was, um, out doing things, with Courtney..." I said stumbling over my words."... We lost track of time I guess."
"Pea Brain" I heard her mumble under her breath.
"Sorry," I said with a shrug as I began to walk away.
"Sorry!" she said mockingly, "That's it! You're gone for two hours and all I get is sorry!" She said slamming the book she had been reading onto the table and stomping towards me. She reached for the bat, that had leaned against the wall, and held it above her head. I began to back away slowly knowing what was about to come. Just then, a solid blow to the back of my shoulder nearly knocked my over. I lurched backwards, grabbing onto a nearby shelf to help keep my balance. As I threw my arm to the shelf knocking a few china plates onto the ground. She raised the bat again, "I didn't want you fifteen years ago when you were born! And I don't want you now! Get out!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs. My eyes darted to the first thing on my left, a picture of my dad an I. We were holding two puzzle pieces together, at least they looked like puzzle pieces. I grabbed it and threw it to the ground, it smashed into thousands of pieces. My mom let out a scream and the bat swung, hitting me square in the hip. I staggered away in pain.

Grasping the banister, I stumbled up the staircase, nearly tripping over the rotting wood at the top. I slammed my bedroom door behind me, and chained it closed. "Why me? Why did all of this have to happen to me?" I thought to myself as I threw a few things into an old bag.
Sticking my feet out the yellowed window I climbed out onto the landing of the fire escape. I pulled of the shoulder of my t-shirt and looked at the newly forming bruise. I sat down on the cold, steel grate and unclasped my necklace. It was a square sort of shape, but as if someone had torn off the other half of the charm there was a sharp edge. I gritted my teeth trying to hold in the screams, as I dragged the sharp edge of the charm back and forth across my wrist. Just as the blood began to trickle down my arm, it was almost as if everything was better. As if all of the pain and fear was gone. I began to feel dizzy, and lose consciousness, but I pulled myself back to reality and I wiped off the blood covered necklace on my already stained shirt, and put it back around my neck. I took a deep breath and thought, "I guess this is it."
With nothing but a few flickering street lights to guide me, I grabbed my bag and climbed down the long ladder into the alleyway.

I walked along the crumbling brick pathway, looking for somewhere to rest for the night. I came along a rusty, old dumpster with a few planks of wood inside. I thew my bag onto the ground at the base of the wall, and reached for the pieces of wood.
"Hey! I was tryin' to sleep here!" I heard a voice yell.
I jumped back, startled, throwing the planks of wood to the ground. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry," I said, reaching for my bag.
I started to take off down the street.
"Hey kid, you new to the streets?"
I stopped and turned around "Yeah, I guess so," I told him
"Good, the gang loves some fresh meat." he said with a chuckle. "What's your name, by the way?
I stood there for a minute, hesitantly, but answered, "Gwen," I said shakily, "Gweneth Pearce, but just Gwen's fine."
I started to walk back towards him. "Well alright, just Gwen," he said, smirking, "I'm Jake, nothing more nothing less."
I gave a slight grin as he stood up to shake my hand. He was tall and thin, middle aged, with dirty blonde hair, and dark features but kind, almost familiar eyes. "So, just Gwen do you need a place to stay tonight?" Jake asked. "You can stay at the castle I've built here," he said with a sarcastic tone.
"Well if your highness is offering, then I shall not oppose." I said to him.
We both sat down laughing and he offered me a bread roll, which I graciously accepted because I hadn't eaten much all day. He pulled a slightly ratted tarp out of his bag, and gestured it to me. "I think its gonna rain tonight, you're gonna want this." he said.
"Thanks Jake, for everything, goodnight" I said, as I closed my eyes and drifted off.