Nefarious [h.s]

Chapter 9.

"Ella Darling?" I hear my mum's voice.

I feel someone shaking my shoulder. My eyes slowly opening. The sun shining through the window, reflecting off my purple walls.

"Mom?" She sits on my bed next to me.

"Want to come down for breakfast?"

"But I am so comfy." I wine and flip over, facing away from her. I don't hear her say anything after that.

I go to turn around but next thing I know she is tickling me everywhere making me scream out. Laughter fills the room. My legs kick and I squirm trying to get her to stop.

"Dad!! Help me!" I yell with laughter.

"You ready for breakfast now?" She asks, stopping. I nod and stand up from my bed. I breathe heavily from her tickling me. I tip toe down the stairs.

This feels familiar.

Why does this feel familiar?

Wait. Mom? Dad?

I stop in my tracks when I get to the kitchen. I look around. My home. The chore chart up on the fridge. Mom and dad eating at the table. What is today?

"Mom? Where's my phone?" Both my parents look over at me in confusion.

"Phone? Muffin, you are only 12." They both laugh. 12? I'm not-

Muffin.. I haven't heard that in so long... I flip around looking at everything. I run upstairs to my room and look at my calendar.

It's November 3...

No... no..

I run down all the steps back into the kitchen. Dad at the table reading the newspaper. Mom now out of sight. No...

"Dad, where is mom?" I rush.

"She went to work muffin. Just missed her." He says. No. I can't.

I run out the door and try to get to her.

"Mom!!" I scream out in the streets. "Mom!" I continue yelling.

**

I quickly sit up from my bed in a sweat. It was just a dream. Just a dream... more like a nightmare. I run my hands through my hair.

"What is all that yelling?" Dylan bursts into the room with a bottle of, what looks like, vodka. It is noon.. today is just going to be wonderful.

"Sorry, had a nightmare." I quietly say and sit up more.

"Aw.. I'm so sorry baby.. want me to cuddle you?" He smiles. My eyes soften and I smile back. It's quite strange. Maybe he is really getting better. Maybe he will be okay today.

His lips slowly begin pressing together. He cracks a loud laugh. "As if. Suck it up. Everyone has nightmares. No need to be so dramatic about it." He rolls his eyes and continues laughing. "Cuddle you? Please. I swear I'm so funny." With that he slams the door shut and leaves the room.

Not funny to me. And I really thought today was different. Will he ever change? It is always the same. It hurts.

I'm being dramatic.

I stand from the bed and walk into the kitchen to get me some water. I think I might just stay home and relax today. As if Dylan would let me go anywhere anyways.