Knives and Nightmares

Chapter 6

"Who is this and why is he here?!" My mother demanded pointing her pudgy finger at Connor.

"You remember Connor. He came over nearly every day eating peanut butter sandwiches after school in grade three and four." I answered.

She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded pursing her faded pink lips.

"Why?" she asked approaching.

Before either one of us could answer she gasped. She saw the bandaids on my neck.

"What happened to her?" her voice was raspy. Quickly her face turned red with rage.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" She looked daggers at Connor.

"I...it wasn't me!" He said. She squinted her eyes skeptically.

"He's right mom!" I blurted out.

They both looked at me slightly surprised

"You see, a dog came out at me and knocked me down. I couldn't get up and the dog scratched me. Connor, here, was driving out for lunch from school and saw me. He saved me, mom." I looked longingly at him.

"And, I didn't leave because I wasn't sure when you were getting home and didn't want her to get hurt." He continued.

His facial expression grew soft. He interlaced his hand with mine. For effect, I leaned my head against him.

"Well, thank you." Mom said walking closer to me.

"He's cute. Don't get too close." She whispered.

I laughed silently, and Connor looked down with confusion.

"Unfortunately, Connor, you will have to stay. I have errands to run." She handed me twenty dollars for pizza and rushed out back to her waiting car.

I wondered why she came in. I glanced across the room towards the open window. So that's why she came in. I looked back at Connor. He looked very confused.

"What just happened?" He asked.

"Well, my mother thought you hurt me, then she realized-" My voice cut off as I heard a loud engine stop.

"Charlie's old pickup truck!" I gave Connor a worried glance that he didn't detect.

Charlie walked into the house minutes later. He was calm. I knew what that meant. It meant new scars were placed on his stomach. I looked closely; I could see a small smudge of blood. Charlie noticed the visitor and approached. His hands were shaking violently. He really hurt himself this time. His dark eyes fixed on Connor. His hair is long and shaggy; he wore a red shirt with a black sweater. He didn't stop until he stood inches away from Connor. Charlie is considerably taller, I remarked.

He peered down at the boy who made his sister cry for such a long time in the fifth grade. Charlie obviously recognized his face. His eyes looked like coal. It must be hard to look intimidating When you're so thin. Charlie doesn't have an eating disorder, but his cuts messed up his appetite. The cuts make it hurt to eat, so he doesn't. It worries me so much.

"Charlie, please," I released my hand from Connor's who glared at Charlie with the same intensity, "he's okay." I insisted. "He saved me."

Charlie looked at me. Anger and fear twisted into his face

"Saved you from what?" he persisted. "What happened?!" he demanded, looking directly at Connor.

"It was nothing, just a dog." Connor said.

Charlie chuckled. It scared me a little. He looked back at me, and softened up a bit.

"What really happened?" He left Connor and came to me. He noticed my neck and inspected it carefully. Unfortunately, not all of the marks were covered up. Charlie retreated stunned "It was Annie, wasn't it." He breathed. He looked defeated. I nodded. His face was full of rage again. "I CAN'T BELIEVE HER!" He yelled, slamming his fist into the wall. "Are you okay?" He asked. When I didn't answer he gave a hysterical laugh and said "Of course not!! How can you be okay?! She almost killed you too didn't she?" He asked.

"Almost, but didn't." Connor said, standing his ground.

"Almost." Charlie spat. He stumbled towards me and embraced me tightly.

"She can't hurt me, Charlie." I whispered. The phrase was so fake, so familiar, so cruel. Charlie saw through my lies. "I know you did it again, Charlie." I added. He released me and backed up.

"I'm sorry." He whispered back so Connor couldn't hear. He turned to Connor. "Keep her safe." He said.

Connor nodded mockingly. Charlie didn't notice. He began up the stairs, about half way through he stopped and added, "Keep your distance too, would ya'?"

Connor chuckled softly. I looked at him sternly "He wasn't kidding." I said.

Connor's face hardened, and went white. It only lasted a couple of seconds and he was back to his usual, tan, self, eyes sparkling deviously. I was both afraid and eager to find out what the meaning behind the glint in his eyes was.