Fields of Iris

Bad Memories

Longer chapters from here on out! Also, it's about to get very deep so I'm issuing a trigger warning for the next few chapters.

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*Flashback*

The hot water was running as the bathtub slowly filled. I could see the steam rising as my heart raced profusely. "Let me go!" I yelled, kicking my feet away, trying to break out of the twins' strong grasp. They had just their teenage growth spurt and had mutant strength, compared to my twelve year old tiny frame.

"This is what you get for hitting my sister," Hayden harped before pushing me forward and throwing me in the steaming tub. I yelled at the pain, before Heidi grabbed my mouth, stopping the screams.

"Hush it up before daddy hears you!" She yelled. Toby hadn't been too bad to me, but everytime he was gone they acted like demons towards me. I thought it was because they were jealous that he would bring me home coloring books and colored pencils sometimes.

"Stop wiggling," he yelled as they tried to shove my head underwater. Just as I struggled to keep myself up I heard the door burst open and in walked Toby Hayward. The two kids let go of me and scrambled away.

"What the hell are y'all doing?" he asked as he pulled me from the tub, and I fell to the floor, my body still boiling.

"She hit me daddy!" Heidi yelled as she stood at the door, glaring towards me.

"Then you get me or your mama. Now get out of here! Go take care of the yard right now!" He yelled as they stood there for a minute.

"But daddy.." they muttered as I tried to hold back my smile a bit at Toby saving me from them. I always told myself that a new dad would never happen but Toby was as good as it could get I guess. Especially since he was punishing them for hurting me.

"Take your brother with you," he spoke before walking over and slowly closing the door, making me raise my eyebrow in confusion. He turned back around and knelt down to where my wet body laid.

"Oh, you poor thing. You can't just be hitting my kids, you know that," he spoke, brushing my hair softly as I looked down feeling ashamed.

"Sorry. I just.. They were being mean to Raymond. It won't happen again," I muttered softly as his hand moved from my hair to my cheek making me feel weird and scared all at once.

"I know it won't. Now why don't you take off those wet clothes, baby girl. Let daddy see if you're hurt," he said as I raised my eyebrow, shaking my head and pulling away from his hand.

"I.. I'm okay," I responded as my heart raced.

His frame suddenly became much taller than mine as he hovered over me making tears begin to swell in my eyes in fear. "Now you listen to your daddy, you understand."

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The phone began to ring as I returned from the memories of  my past. I shook my head rubbing my temples as I made my way towards the living room, checking the clock. Ray should be here any minute to pick me up for the service and my nerves were at a ten.  It had been years since I thought about the Hayward's and Chase's arrival came at the perfect time for a distraction from the evil man's death.

I picked up the house phone by clicking the dial button. "Hello?"

"Well, if it isn't my artist from the Brooks. How are you this evening?" Ivan asked from the other side of the line

"Well, just peachy. How did you get this number?" I wondered curiously.

"Chase, of course. I told him I would like a line of communication to discuss details of any future art events. I hope you don't mind," he said.