Gold Chains

Chapter 1

Another green bottle hit the wall with a loud shatter.

"Shit!" Lola exclaimed.

The glass shard fired straight for Lola's bare thigh. She grasped the wound looking down at her hand to reveal it coated by her own blood.

"You'll never be a father to me. You filthy, alcoholic asshole!"

The man stood from his chair -the chair he hails as his throne- and roared.

"You think I wanted you as a daughter? Who would want a disobedient little bitch like you as a daughter?"

Laura sat staring at the TV. She took another sip from her glass, nearing on empty. Lola looked at her mother.

"Screw this shithole house. Do me one favor, Mom? Wake the fuck up and put a leash on that mutt you call a husband. You always said if I bring home an animal I need to deal with it's mess so, why don't you take your own-"
"You little..." Henry raised his open hand and brought it down hard against Lola's cheek. "...WHORE! GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE!"

Lola didn't flinch at the slap.

"THIS ISN'T YOUR FUCKING HOUSE HENRY! THIS USED TO BE OUR FUCKING HOME!" tears streaked her face, one after another, as if they were in a race to her heart. "We were FINE until you got here! But, ya know what? This is a house made for two. So why don't you both just keep it."

Laura mumbled incoherently.

"Keep it, you FUCKING pig!"

She turned to the front door and grabbed her red backpack -already packed from her last "sleepover", and put her hand on the cold metal handle.

"Mom, at least have the gut to say goodbye to your daughter. Remember the one that used to carry you home when you got too drunk, when she was only eleven? When she was the only one that stood by you after dad ran out!" She sobbed out.

Henry's roars grew muffled to Lola as she eagerly stood awaiting a response from her mother.

Laura looked at Henry then to Lola. She opened her mouth but the room rendered silent. Henry watched the woman closely with heavy eyes from his thick furrowed eyebrows, and a slight crack between his slobbery lips as he panted with rage.

Lola closed her eyes and nodded. "You're only as good as your partner..." she added before leaving and slamming the screeching door behind her.

She could hear the eruptions inside as she walked towards her neighbor's bicycle, neatly parked next to the street lamp. She walked as if there was an explosion on her trail. Though it was a summer night, the air felt so cold on her face. She wiped her face and neck free of tears and swung her leg onto the bike, riding to the only place she ever found true comfort in.

~~~

Then a long ride became so short as she already approached the old moss-covered sign that hung just above the door of the largest antique shop and best clockmaker in the city "Mount History".

She used the kickstand to steady the bike as she climbed up to reach the fire escape ladder. Once she reached the top, she used all her might to cause the window to budge open until finally... "Shit! Ow, ow, oh shit!" the window drew up suddenly. The force sent the girl toppling inward, landing upside down beside the white dresser.

"Jesus, that'd... ugh- wake you up." She groaned as she straightened herself up from her contorted state.

She yanked the chain of the fancy antique lamp on the nightstand. Finally illuminating the room.