Divided Mask

Chapter 3 - Storm in coming

She stared at the ceiling. She crept around searching for something to eat there was left over soup. She ate it cold.
Morning crawled through the window. She tied the mask around her face again.

She was scared to face her dad. Not in fear of getting hurt, just because of her thoughts that swirled her head throughout the night.

"Morning Wren." Her dad immediately said at her sight.
Good morning.
"Off to school?" He asked, she nodded and left. The rain still hadn't stopped it was getting very old. Wren was tired of being cold when arriving to school. Mr Rutherford's class was last that day.

Her physical training class was a mess. The teacher hadn't come. Mrs Bard has taken over and was working the class like dogs.
"Good job maybe some of you will survive a real fight. Dismissed,"
Most of the class ran ahead. Wren unluckily didn't feel great.
"Hey are you okay?" Marcus caught up to her
Tired I think, she worked us really hard.
"I agree a little overboard for the first week." He laughed while keeping Wren stable
Why not go with your friends?
"You looked like you could use someone here. I heard what Mrs Bard said when she kicked you out. Maybe she won't say it if I'm around."
It could work. You may get labeled a freak.
"I'm not concerned."

Wren had quickly thrown on a hoodie. Making sure she wasn't late for Mrs Bard's class again. She was met with the same conflict that had happened the day before
"Wren you know the deal."
Mrs Bard I did physical training with no problem you even taught it? Why was it not a problem then?
"You're right. I should have made you leave that class too. Go on Wren. I'll see you after school. Coward," Mrs Bard whispered the last part.

Freak, coward the names didn't end. Wren stood in the bathroom her head against the stall wall.
Wren: I have to stay after school sorry dad

Dad: seriously?

Wren: she wants to humiliate me! Why won't you believe me?

Dad: because it is her word against your silent word Wren has anybody else heard her say those things no? Get it together.

Her lips felt dry, he was never that harsh. Was she really being so bad that it wasn't understandable.

Lunch had passed. Girls had tried to take the mask off Wren, they almost succeeded if it wasn't for Mr. Rutherford stepping in.

Time flew by she was back to Mrs Bard's class.

"Okay Wren pull your mask up." Mrs Bard closed the door again putting a chair against the door.
She smack it off again. A wicked smile met Wren.
"Take the hoodie off. History lesson. You will carry a desk around. I have already begun to heat up the room. Your task is to feel the pain the slaves did, considering they didn't talk much either. If you don't go fast enough I'll whip you. Let's see how you do, questions?"
A whip? That's a little extreme.
"We're simulating what would happen. Go. Now," Mrs Bard scoffed.

Simulation. No way. Her back burned lash marks were left on her back. She wouldn't crack. She couldn't.
"Faster Slave!"
Her muscles burned it was intense she could barely handle it. Her skin burning, bleeding and raw. This had to have gone for 20 minutes. She wanted someone to save her. But no one would come, and if the did would they listen. Probably not it was crushing.

"Done."
Wren almost threw the desk on the  ground. She never thought she would there for an eternity.
"I would say good job but you look awful. No wonder they call you freak that's all you are."
Wren gathered her items after putting her hoodie back on, she was scared of what would happen if someone saw the marks.

Running to her locker she shoved and retrieved things, bumping into Mr Rutherford, bad luck again. He tried to steady her, she arched her back avoiding his touch.
"You're here late again? Are you avoiding home?"
She lightly scribbled no I. I can't say why it's a secret.
"Secret?" He looked lost, she nodded and hurried out. She was breathing hard.

The rain had stopped the sun was shining it was making it hard to keep the hoodie on her.

Roxanne greeted her as she walked in.
"Hey Wren, I'm making dinner. Chicken with some veggies sound okay."
She nodded. Running to her room. She heard Roxanne call her she didn't want to come down. She couldn't, shame, humiliation filled her mind. More tears. At least it was hidden by the mask.
"Wren?" Roxanne knock, she slowly opened the door.

Why are you the one stepping up? Doesn't it embarrass you to talk to someone who can't?

"No. Someone needs to listen." Roxanne put food down. "Your dad said he wanted to speak with you... He didn't seem to happy, I told him to take it easy on you."

Thank you, for the food as well

She smiled but it fell. Wren was concerned, her dad was good at pretending everything was alright; especially with Roxanne around.

He seemingly barged into her room.
"Why are you constantly getting in shit?"
I got punished if that makes you feel better.
"It would make me feel better if you would just talk. Just be normal, no one else goes silent. I tried to be patient with you." His words stung, could she just be normal? Is that what everyone thought while they looked at her?
Thoughts spiralled more. She was very dizzy. She slammed her head down. If her dad was saying something she couldn't hear him. Sweat mixed with tears dripped down her face. She was shaking, trying to write out something. That made it worse. The dizziness wasn't going away, she felt seconds from blacking out. Her ears were burning as much as her back was. She tried to fight it. She pushed off her desk attempting to leave. Her feet catching on something she almost fell. Arms caught her
"Wren! I need you to look at me." Panic filled her dad's voice.
"Lay her down Mark!" Roxanne had apparently joined them. Wren still couldn't make anyone out.

Her head hit a soft surface. Voices could barely be made out. She dipped out off conscious.

"We're almost there." A soft tone said
"Hurry! We don't have a lot of time." Another familiar voice said.
"I am, you need to calm down. Had you have handle it better we'd not be in this mess."

Wren shot her head up. Slowly looking around her mask sat at the bedside table. She dad looking down at his phone. Her hoodie in his hand.
He looked over a range of emotions covered him.
"What happened?"
She reached for her notebook also placed on her desk.
I can't say.
"Is this what you meant by punishment?" She couldn't tell him the truth.
No it was during combat, a kid went overboard. It was handled.
He looked slightly relieved.
"What about a few minutes ago?"
Anxiety? Or exhaustion. I don't know. More stress on you. Can I go to sleep. I truly am tired.
He sighed, "of course. Goodnight Wren." He was gone out of her room.