Fort Oakley | Part One

10 | Antidepressants: The Real MVP's

The morning sunlight breaks through the tree canopy, casting the canvas I had stayed up all night painting in a golden hue.

I hadn't been able to sleep after yesterday, so instead of tossing and turning all night, I decided to put the inspiration I got with Jacey in the meadow to good use.

Now, a replica of him stares back at me from the canvas, those green eyes never leaving mine.

I kept wondering throughout the night if he was sitting in the meadow, and I kept having to fight the urge to go and check.

I wasn't so sure that I would have come back to the house if I gave in to that urge.

After applying the last brushstroke, I rinse my paintbrushes in the bathroom and head downstairs.

Claire had left early in the morning, so I guessed she was heading out of town for another job again.

I wasn't sure how long she would be gone this time, but she would probably call me sooner or later.

I felt guilty about what I said to her yesterday, but I didn't know how she could just stand there and watch Elvin hit me.

How she could not check up on me later to see if I was okay.

I knew Sheriff Lucien would have done that in a heartbeat, and he wasn't even legally related to me.

I shove the depressing thoughts away and get ready for school, not bothering to cover the red mark on my cheek.

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When third period ends, I don't head to lunch.

Instead, I exit the school building and walk next door towards the police station.

Nothing was found yesterday in the woods when some of the willing officers swept the woods for my phone or any other evidence, but I hoped they would have come across my pendant at some point during their search.

When I enter the police building, I spot Jacey sitting in one of the waiting chairs near the entrance.

He didn't have any new bruises, which was good, but I realized that I would always be looking for new bruises the next time I saw him.

I didn't know what I could possibly do stop them from appearing, but seeing him without new ones brought me a small sense of comfort because I knew his parents hadn't hurt him recently.

He didn't notice me as I walked up to the front desk and asked if I could speak to Sheriff Lucien. He seemed completely lost in thought, staring at the ground in front of him with his arms crossed over his chest.

Sheriff Lucien looked up from his desk when I knocked on his open office door, and he gestured for me to come in and take a seat.

His eyes immediately fell onto my cheek. "You told me you would be okay if I left you there with him, Charly."

I fight against the knot forming in my throat.

"And I thought Claire would do something if he hit me, but she just stood there."

Sheriff Lucien frowns, and I can see that he can't understand what I'm telling him.

Clearing my throat, I change the topic. "Was anything else found in the woods during the search.

The Sheriff shakes his head. "Nothing, Charly. Why, did you lose something else?"

"I have this pendant necklace that I always wear, and it's kind of important to me. I noticed it was missing yesterday afternoon."