Devastation (Paused)

Chapter 6: Burn

"...Alice... Alice. Alice!"

Opening my eyes I noticed Elizabeth, my little sister, leaned over me. Her tear stained eyes told me everything as I hurriedly sat up.

"Father- He...-" She hiccupped as I placed her on my lap. "-killed Nut!" I wiped away her tears as she wept into my dress. Nut was my sister's squirrel that she had saved from drowning in the early spring. Father hated it... Spiteful man... He did this because Elizabeth kept it as a pet yet it was never brought into the house. That was the only rule.

"There is no need to cry. I will go bury him in the garden so that he can forever smell the roses. Just stay up here, ok?" Placing on my messy bed I stood up and put my shoes and closed my door behind me. Leaning against the door I let out a sigh. "Why did I return here again...?" Back to the day where I lost everything...

Closing my eyes I waited for my past self to walk me through my own actions once again. I felt my feet move on their own accord as my world flew by me until I stood before the shallow grave with Nut. Father had crushed him beneath his boot, now only a mattered crumbled body remained of the once lively creature. Placing him down I covered him before placing the uprooted daisy over him. He may not live but he should still be remembered. Elizabeth will know where he is buried at least.

Holding my breath I glanced behind me to see my father glaring at me from the porch with a bottle in his hand. Glancing down I stood knowing what would come... The warmth building in my chest told me what would come as I slowly approached the home that would soon turn to ash... My father too turned and disappeared in the house.

I hesitated at the front door as warmth circled the doorknob. Just open it... Nothing will ever change, I must face the truth... Grabbing the knob, slowly turning it, I waited for the dread scene to unfold. As the door released light into the hallway I walked side the dark house that held no warmth. The door closed behind me with a bang as light appeared from the kitchen. Clenching my hands I walked towards it. The dreaded silence killed me as I stood in the light, my father glaring at me as he drank from his whiskey, and my mother sat as if she were a dead doll. Father slammed his bottle onto the table, shattering the silence. I jumped though it shouldn't scare me anymore.

"...Alice..." He growled. I couldn't help but bite my tongue as his chair scraped the floor as he stood. "What have I told you about disobeying me....?"

Why? I felt tears sting my eyes as his hand slammed across my jaw. My hands braised my fall as blood spilled from the corner of my mouth.

"TELL ME!!!" He screamed as I crawled onto my knees.

My mouth was woven shut as I tried to ignore the throbbing pain in my jaw. I was yanked up by my hair and dragged to my feet as my father tossed me towards my mother's feet. Just like my mother I was casted aside for being useless... Then why...? Why couldn't I have just stayed down one more time...?! I felt my body rise as my mother released a gasp, faintly resembling a whimper.

"...Enough..." My voice crackled with rage as my father stood stunned.

"...What? Did you... Did you just speak back?!" He laughed. "Oooh, now I see... That good for nothin rodent hit a nerve didn't they? Well let me tell you something..." Father opened his arms wide as a sickening grin grew. "...You would have nothing if it weren't for me... ELIZABETH!!!"

No... Tiny shrieks followed as wailing filled the air.

"No!!!" Mother finally came alive as she rushed to my father. "Please n-" It was a swift hit as she was sent flying into the corner of the kitchen counter closest to the table. Blood flowed down the counter side as she slumped against it. Her eyes gazed at me in shock as my own eyes reflected in hers.