Breaking Point

Surprise

     “Shut up! SHUT UP!” A ferocious voice shouted angrily over tormented sobs. Repetitive smacking noises marked the blows the owner of the voice brought down onto the crying little girl, her face and eyes red and stained with tears. She screamed, calling to her mother for help. The woman just said her husband’s name, once, with the air of disdain someone might have towards their child for being gross in public. Of course he ignored her; he always ignored her.

     “Stop, please!” The little girl screamed. “You’re hurting me!”

     A sharp, sudden noise like a plane streaking the sky filled the girl’s ears, and for a moment all she could see was red. As the strange noise faded, she could hear him, pleading forgiveness.

     “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I won’t do it again...”

     The little girl shook her head, her tangled brown hair falling into her eyes and sticking to her wet face.

     “SHUT UP!” The man screeched, and again the blows came down. This time the little girl did not cry; she screamed and ran out the door, grabbing a little backpack on the way out. She screamed back at him as her ran, trying to top his shouts.

     “I HATE YOU DADDY! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!” She stumbled and fell, landing in soft grass by a tree. She looked up and saw an angle.

     “Save me, Alex,” she begged, her plea echoing into the surroundings. Darkness was closing in on them from all directions.

     His sad eyes turned to her. He cried silently and smiled all at once.

     “But I’m already dead,” he said, taking her hand in both of his and walking backwards from her into the darkness. “You killed me.”

     “No!” She screamed, reaching out for him as he dropped her hand and faded away. She looked down, still feeling his touch. The crushed pieces of a heart lay there, slowly turning black. They enveloped her whole hand until they became a black velvety glove. She looked down at herself. She was suddenly wearing a long black dress, whipping wildly back around her legs and into the wind. She looked up. There was the casket. And as they opened it, it was her father. He slammed his body upright, reaching for her as she stumbled away. It was as though the rest of him were glued into place.

     “Why did you do that!?” He howled. “Why did you run from me? You killed me! YOU!”

     “I’m sorry,” she sobbed.

     “No, you’re not.” A cold voice came from behind her, chilling every bone in her body.

     “Alex,” she breathed. “I thought you were dead.”

     He laughed bitterly. “I’m not dead.” He said. “Not physically. But I’m dead on the inside, and dead to you.”

     “No,” she whispered. “Please.”

     He shrugged coldly, his eyes defiant except for the silent tears that fell from them.

     “Your fault.”

     “NO!” She screamed. She was falling, falling through space and time with nobody to save her.

     Amber’s body jerked awake, jumping upright in bed.

     “NO!” She screamed, tasting her own tears. Everything was dark. Only the clock on the wall produced a sound.

     She hugged her knees, burying her face into them. She was tangled in a mass of blankets. Her pillow was across the room, along with some other sheets. Her body was in a cold sweat. The sun had not yet risen.