She's a Freak

Allison

Carleigh's POV:
"Oh Carleigh, come out. Come out where ever you are! I know your'e here somewhere." my dad said. His giant footsteps clomped on the wooden floor causing the whole house to shake. I pulled my knees closer to my chest. So close that I could feel my heart beating against my thighs. "You can't hide forever. You know that I will find you. And when I do, you'll with you had never been born." His steps grew louder and I could tell that he was close. Suddenly- I woke with a start, my breathing uneven and quick. My heart was pounding against my rib cage and I placed a shaky hand over my chest. I looked around my room, making sure I was safe and alone. I placed my head in my hands and breathed deeply. "It's just a dream. It's just a dream." I told myself over again. I searched my room once more then fell back on my pillow. It took a second to calm down, but eventually I stopped shaking, my heart rate went back to normal and my breathing steadied. This was the fourth nightmare I'd had this week. It was normal though. I had dreams like that almost every night. My clicked my phone on to check the time. 10:38. I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep, if I hadn't smelled food. I pushed off my covers and hopped up. After brushing through my messy hair, I climbed down the stairs and went to the kitchen where Alison was pouring waffle batter on to a waffle iron. "Morning, Sweetie. How'd you sleep?" she asked. I replied with a shrugged and sat at the bar next to the stove. "Honey, could you get some fruit from the fridge?" Without a word (get it! Without a word. No? OK...) I got strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple slices out and placed them on the counter. Alison opened the waffle iron and plopped it on a plate which she placed in front of me. I put some fruit on my plate then covered it in syrup. "Your father and Jonah have gone to the store. They should be back any minute." As if on cue, John and Jonah burst through the door carrying grocery bags. I grabbed some from John and began to put the items in them away.

After we finished, I took my waffle to the living room and turned on the T.V. I flipped through the channels until I landed on Pretty Little Liars. As I ate my breakfast, I heard my parents talking in the kitchen. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but I did hear my name. I turned the volume down and listened. "I'm really worried about Carleigh, John." Alison said in a hushed voice. "But why, dear? She's hasn't changed since she came home with us." John replied. "That's exactly why. She hasn't changed a bit. I thought that she would have grown out of her phase and talked to us. I was reading online the other day that most people who go mute start talking about 5 years after they stop. It's been almost 2 years since then. I'm worried that she won't ever talk." "Honey, she'll talk when she wants to. maybe she's still getting over whatever caused her to shut down in the first place. Just give her some time-" "She's had time!" Alison spoke a little louder. "I want to take her to Dr. Pittman again. Just to see if her can do more." "Not him again. Not a doctor again." I prayed. "Alison, he's done all that he can, you know that! If you stop trying maybe she'll talk." John said. "I guess your right. I just worry about her sometimes." I turned of the television and marched back to the kitchen. I placed my plate in the sink, much harder than I should have then retreated to the stairs. "I think she heard you." I heard John say as i stomped up to my room.

I threw myself onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow. "I can't go back to him! I just can't! He'll ask me questions and look at me like I'm some sort of science experiment!" I thought to myself. "Hey Carls! Around 4 we're going to Nat's house for dinner." Jonah called. "Thank God!" I thought. I needed Nat right now. He always made me feel better. I looked over at my bed-side table at my clock. 12:15. I had a while before we left, so I hopped in the shower and washed away the awful morning.

Note: what Allison said about people who stop talking usually start again after 5 years is completely un- trUe. I made that up to fit the story.