Patty's POV
I coughed, lungs burning and legs aching as i dove into the kitchen pantry. my figure just small enough to fit into the empty space at the top, just out of sight. i gently closed the door and curled up fetal position, putting my feet to the wall of the pantry and craned my head to fearfully watch the pantry doors.
i let out shaky, quiet breaths as I watched the doors intently. i couldn't will my body to move a single inch as i heard the familiar footsteps outside the pantry and that sickly sweet voice call my name
that isnt him.
That thing is not my father. at least, not the one i used to know.
My father was loving and caring, and would put mom and i before the world. but mother left when i was just 6.
now look at me.. 19 years old and im still living at home, shackles of guilt and trauma holding me in place as i watched other boys i knew laugh and go out on weekends. going to parties. hooking up with girls. whatever.
"mikah donahue." I flinched at the name. I much preferred my playstation name then my real one. i didnt answer. stay hidden, he wont find you i could hear my mothers voice guiding me.
finally, i heard father's footsteps fade away as another wave of confused sleepiness hit him as though he was bipolar.
i slowly crawled out of the pantry. i havent eaten in a while, but everything i found in that pantry would put too much weight on me, i was told not to eat until father says.
i had to creep up the steps to my bedroom as my father was a light sleeper. however, i was able to get past by avoiding trigger planks that creek too much and closed my door lightly.
isnt that so damn sad? im so scared of him that i remembered every fucking floorboard in the house that creaked.
Jump. W-what the fuck- Is my mothers voice telling me to kill myself or something?? No, patty, out the window, go meet people, make friends, your father will be asleep for a long time. I hesitate as i lift the window open. after a bit of thinking, i jump out. I trust my mother whether shes here physically or not.
As soon as i hit the ground, I ran. Ran fast. Ran hard. My lungs burned. I dont knoe if how close my house is to a forest but its a matter of minutes before i feel the sting of being lashed by branches.
I could hear people up ahead. Loud voices. Laughing, arguing, conversating. I wasn't used to it. I was anxious but also excited to see other people. I lived like rapunzel after all. my social skills were horrible but hopefully taking this chance to meet other people would pay off.
As the trees cleared out, i came upon a beautiful scene. peaceful cafés full of families and couples walking everywhere. this place looked like heaven on earth.
a hand touched me and a rose my hands to cover my head out of instinct. "whoa, hey! calm down man, i wont hurt you or nothin'." I looked up into a boys sharp hazel eyes. "A-ah, sorry" I mumble lowering my arms. the boy smiles, his freckles that were dusted along his cheeks stretching. "hey, im vince. you alright there? lost or anything?"
Vinces POV
Ugh, my dad is great but when it comes to out family cafè he can be a real pain. But, i'm lucky to have a dad like him nonetheless. i know their may be some who are less fortunate. My friends laugh in the background as I just sit and think to myself
I've never had many things in common with these guys but they gave me a place to belong. Suddenly my little bubble of thought was burst as i heard leaves crunching at a fast rate and heavy breathing. I looked up to find a bruised and exhausted looking boy standing there. He seemed to be around my age.
Should I talk to the kid? I hum to myself as i contemplate my move. He seemed to look around as if he was on another planet. Who was this guy anyway? I decide to attempt to speak to him. Stepping towards him, i gently placed my hand on his shoulder.
He jumped a bit and covered his head as if i were to hit him. it took me by surprise but i told him it was okay. he looked so scared and those big dark-brown eyes look up into mine. he scanned my face for a moment and gave me a small smile. i introduced myself and offered him to come with the group and i.
he agreed and introduced himself. his name was mikah but he said he preferred patty or special. kinda cute i smiled leading him over to my friends. "Heya Vince! Who's the newbie?" my friend winmer asked, smirking slightly. mans has no filter -_-. "this is patty. he looked lonely so hes finna hang out with us today. play nice." i said, gesturing to the nervous raven-haired boy.
"Aww! He's so cute!!" My friend quinn said walking over to inspect the poor boy. "Looks kinda hungry though. And hes got a few cuts and bruises. Come on! We should get some food and find him some bandages!" She smiled proudly. Quinn was always so caring and knew how to handle people with the gentlest touch. Even so, he flinched at her words.
We headed off toward the direction of the cafe. Patty and I followed in the back as the others talked excitedly. "So, never seen you here. Or anywhere around for that matter. Where did you come from?" I asked looking to the boy. He appeared nervous at the question. "I actually live in the smaller neighboring town to this one though my house is farther off, near the woods."
I nod and gesture to his injuries. "And these? If you don't mind me asking." He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. At least he seemed a little less tense talking to me now. "I suppose hiding what happened isn't really gonna help anything huh. Well, for the sake of losing the graphics, my dad isn't the best person." My facial expression softens at his words. He quickly adds, "Oh god, please, no pity. It won't help anything to treat me like a lost puppy." I nod. "Abusive father? Why haven't you contacted the police?" He frowns and looks down. "I have no one else. Or at least no one stable. Even if I had friends that I could stay with, what would happen to me of they no longer wanted to be my friend?
"Family?" I ask. tilting my head slightly. "He's all I have. My mother is dead and I don't even know if I have any distant relatives like aunts or grandparents." Special responded. I stopped out front while the others went in, grabbing specials shoulderS He looked at me, confusion dancing in his eyes. "i want to help you, will you let me?" I asked looking down at him.
He bites his lip thoughtfully. "i dont even know you.." he mumbles, looking down. " you dont know me either, i could be a terrible person." i shake my head. "you arent, its not hard to tell, but its easy to tell like someone brave enough to do whats best for themselves and i want you to make that choice."
"Okay." he say's finally, nodding. "good." i say pulling him into the cafe and to the booths my friends rented. "now, tonight i want you to report your father to the town police while he is asleep. have all of your things packed by the time the police get there. he will be arrested and if you have to go to court we'll belp you testify. you'll be staying at my place." i say as we sit down in the booth.
part 2 dropping soon
1363 words
