IT 2017 - Blonde Hair, Black Lungs.

VII

I flip through a book bored, standing far off watching Henry shoot at bottles with Dad's gun—he'd get it for sure if dad saw. I freeze watching as Henry smirks at a cat, he motions for Reggie to grab it. "Seriously?"

Henry scowls pointing the gun at the cat, "Just hold it."

꒷꒦

I wheeze as I plant a hand on the barn in front of me, "Baye?" I look up and give Mike an exhausted smile, he quickly extends a hand to me. I take it and follow him as he pulls me further behind the barn.

"My grandad will kill me if he sees you." He mutters looking behind him, looking to see if his grandpa followed him.

I couldn't help but admire him, his dark skin glistening with a thin coat of sweat. His pretty face, dark eyelashes framing his eyes. I snap back to reality and look down. I pull my pale slim fingers through my hair anxiously.

"What happened?" He asks, lifting my face to look back up at him by putting his hands on both sides of my face. His narrowed worried expression warming my heart.

I gently place my hands on his wrists and hold onto him, "Henry was fucking around with my dad's gun. Ended up being caught." I muttered my eyes drifting to the side, the memory on replay.

I felt bad for Henry. How mercilessly dad shot at the ground so close to his feet. No remorse for his son's fear and pain. I didn't wanna be next, so I left. Coming here.

Mike sighed and brought me into a hug, it wasn't common to get a hug from him, and a little surprising. His hug was full of affection, it seeped it, and I latched onto him tightly and buried my head in the side of his neck. He smelt horrible, but I bathed in the comfort.

Being touch starved and getting affection from someone so important felt so good. It was like a weight being thrown off my chest. My hands balled up his shirt. I didn't wanna let go and he seemed to notice.

꒷꒦

I lean against the shaded side of the barn, my sweaty hair darkening to a chestnut color. I look up and freeze as an older dark-skinned man, who looked somewhat like Mike, turned the corner and looked at me. His expression unreadable.

I yelped as he snatched the back of my neck and pulling me up, "What're you doin' here, hm? Come to steal?" He snarled, pulling me to the main part of the barn. The sun beating down on us.

He got a good look at my once shadowed features now that we were in the sunlight. "You're bowers' kid. You best be gettin' back. I don't want to get in trouble for your recklessness."

I looked up at him in fear. "Baye?" We both looked to the left and see Mike jogging out of the barn.

"You know her boy?" His grandad asks, almost skeptically, Mike slowly nodded his eyes on his grandads. I was released soon enough. I get to Mike's side and rub the nape of my neck. It ached from the grip Leroy had on it.

"Take her home." Leroy narrowed his eyes at Mike, the secret affection for his grandson there. Barely noticeable but it was there.

I looked at Mike in return, I didn't wanna go back, not in a million years. I knew what would happen if I went back. I stared at Mike with pleading eyes, praying he'd get the hint that I was terrified of returning home. I already could guess what was waiting for me inside.

Mike looked from his grandad to me with an unsure look, "It's late, can't she stay? I can walk her home in the morning."

His grandad wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head. "No, she goes home now, I ain't dealin' with those coppers again." Mike sighed defeatedly and nodded.