Shadows On Pavements

Part3

“Macy!” Ally yells as she locks a hand to my stiffened shoulder and spins my body to face her. She watches me with eyes concerned. “Macy, are you ok?” Her eyes flicker over my face confused, watching me as though she hadn’t ever seen me so terrified before… and trust me, she has seen her fair share of watching me freak out. I must of looked as pale as a ghost.
I swallow down really hard on the lump lodged deep in my throat, and lick my dry lips as I try to bring myself back to were I where… try to remember where I were… and somehow I had seemed to climb half way up those stairs… somehow…
Her eyes widen on me prompting for an answer she's been waiting for.
“I… I…” I stammer, still shaken. She purses her lips, impatiently.
“God, what is wrong with you? Did you not hear your mum?”
“My mum?” My question is had they not heard all the noise…
“Yes! Aunt Faye had a little moment. She collapsed off her chair and now your mum and my mum are driving her to the hospital-”
“What?” I rasp, my arm shooting out to the wall to help keep my balance.
“Yes-”
“But the nearest hospital- that's like miles away! She just left us here?!”
Ally eyes dart over me stunned, then she scoffs.
“Did you hear the part I told you about aunt Faye-”
My hands shoot out to grip her shoulders, wanting so much to shake her!
“Ally! This place is not safe- it's not normal! What if something happens to us? How the hell do we reach out for help?!”
She cracks a grin, finding my fear humorous. Her eyes move from mine, running past my shoulders to peer at what lay above those stairs. They hold there for a little while as she thinks, then they slowly drift back to meet mine again, a wide smirk growing on her face. I watch her wondering what her gaze was about. She huff out a sigh that says she thought I were thinking I had been dramatic. Taking holding of my hand, she guides me slowly down the rest of the stairs until our feet are back on to the kitchen floor and then she lets go. Joining us is Louis, Nath and Max, as they clammer to the top of the kitchen counter, throwing bits of something that had looked like paper at each other. Nath is the first to turn to us, grimancing at Ally as she crosses her arms in front of her.
“Really?” He scoffs. “Your just going to assume you are in charge?”
“I am in charge. I am the oldest.”
“Actually Macy and you are the same age-”
“I’m a month older, so automatically that makes me the oldest and… in charge.”
Louis sticks his tongue out teasingly at her, then laughs with Nath.
“Shouldn’t we have a vote-” Max tries.
“No-”
“I maybe fifteen but Im much more mature than you-” Max groans.
“Why do we even need someone in charged?” I question, my eyes running past them all. Max purses his lips, looking a little agitated, then jumps down off the kitchen counter, shoving his hands in his pockets, looking a little defeated.
“Because mum left a car behind and she said whoever’s in charge can have the car… you know… incase we need to drive anywhere.”
My eyes widen at what he says, and I turn instantly to face Ally.
“Then let’s get out of here. What are we waiting for, Al?”
All eyes turn to me curiously, Max's the most shocked.
I shrug awkwardly feeling the intensity of their questioning stares.
Ally lets out a laugh.
“Why the hurry, Macy?” Her tone a little condescending. “I thought we could play a game of truth or dare first-”
“No, I know what your doing-” I retaliate, before I’m interrupted.
“I was going to say… you can be in charge and all… you can even have the car if you complete one simple dare…” she snickers, her eyes not meeting mine, knowing just how I would feel.
My eyes hold on her. Had she always needed to be like this? Why had she always wanted to torture me? Had she always needed to feel so superior over every situation ?
“Why does Macy get that and I don’t?” Max questions, his brows furrowing deeply on Ally. He was clearly unimpressed by her suggestion. Ally just shrugs, watching him, unbothered.
“Because its what I say.”
Max groans and slump his shoulders, wandering back to the living room.
“Guess you won’t be joining us?” She calls after her brother, who doesnt reply.
“What's the first dare?” Louis questions excitedly, Nath putting his arm over his shoulders and drawing him into a brotherly hug.
“Well…” she says turning to me. “I dare your sister… to bring one item back from the attic. If she does… she can have the car for the whole night.”
Unamused, I laugh bitterly, also not suprised. Ally, Nath and Louis watch me… waiting for my reply…
I swallow hard as I contemplate my decision…
“Will you do it?” Louis questions, caution in his tone. My eyes lift to him…
“Y-yeah. Why not.”