Later that night I lay down on my bed and fall asleep, the lack of food and the crying making me sleepy. I dream about my mother again.
I wake as if it's an emergency, as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing. My heart beats fast and there is a buzzing in my brain and together they are as panic with jump-leads. Only now my brain is as a flat battery, the exertions of the night being a marathon of erratic problem-solving. And so, this day will pass as if I am hungover, not from drink, but from the nightmares that demand solutions.
I’ve woken up late. I mumble a curse word under my breath and run around getting ready. I dash downstairs and hope I can get my chores done before Ash wakes up but I’m too late.
“get your lazy ass here now! What makes you think you can sleep in and start your chores late?” I look away as he grabs my neck making me cough. “well??”
“I’m s-sorry I didn’t mean too I-I swear!” I look at him, making sure I don’t make eye contact.
“I’ll go wake Jake up before he’s late” I mumble so I can escape his grasp, and I run up to his room.
“Jake? You up? you’re gonna be late for footie practise”
Upon waking, Jake burrowed himself into the warm, soft sheets. He rubbed the remainders of sleep from his eyes and gazed out at the horizon; its vivid light extended across a rosy sky. “What time is it?”
I tell him the time and leave the room to go back to my father, dreading every step. When he was in sight I held my breath.
he threw his body weight behind the fist that edged closer to my face, it hit my jaw with such force blood pooled into my mouth.
YOU ARE READING
devil's berry
RandomBelladonna was just a child when her mum died. Her dad and younger brother turned against her, blaming her for her mothers death. All she could do was wait it out until she was old enough to move out
