Wounded

Chapter Three: Cassie

I was pressed against the wall, a silent waterfall flowing down my face. My clothes lay on the floor next to the crumpled corpse of Mr. Cuddles. As I looked around the room I realized that there is nothing left for me here. It hasn't even been ten minuets but there were no signs of anyone coming to save me, its hopeless for me.

"You know what your Ma said right before she died? " The tears were endless at this point, but I didn't care, I just wanted to get out of here. My family might not have been the best and my parents may not of loved me, but I had a friend who died because of me. My parents lives went downhill because of me. The world will be a better place once Papa kills me.

"W-what did she say?" I had to keep my sobs controlled or else it would only end worse for me.

"She said-" He was cut off when we heard the front door being kicked down.

"BACK AWAY FROM THE GIRL!" There was a policeman who had charged into the room and had a gun pointed at Papa. The officer looked like he was sure he had Papa cornered but he didn't know that Papa still had the bloodied knife.

Another person was going to die by the hands of my father.

"BACK AWAY FROM THE GIRL AND PUT YOUR HANDS UP!" The officer's commands were firm and showed control. Papa did what he was told and turned towards the officer.

"What's the crime here officer? Can't you see I'm just bonding with my daughter?" He laughed menacingly and turned towards me only to shove my head back against the wall again. "No harm done here officer."

No one else should die because of Papa.

"HE'S GOT A KNIFE!" I yelled it out before Papa could hurt anyone else. I didn't want anyone else to die.

"You little b-" Papa spun around to stab me but instead had dug the knife in from my hip up to my chest diagonally.

It all happened so fast, too fast.

Three shots... I lost what was left of my family with three bullets. Papa dropped to the ground with three bullet wounds in his chest. The blood wasn't spewing out like in the movies, instead it was deep dark red and pooling around his body.

"Y-your Ma sa-said...'I'm sorry'..." Papa's eyes became unfocused till they just stopped moving. His chest didn't puff back up, his shallow breathing no longer coherent.

"Papa... don't leave me alone... please". After my sobs calmed to hiccups, the officer handed me a shirt that was laid on the bed and turned around allowing me to put on some clothes.

That night I was taken into child services, the officer allowed me to give Mr. Cuddles a proper burial, due to the circumstances. The officer was nice enough to dig a hole next to the tree trunk by my favorite park. I wanted my beloved pet to rest at the only place that could bring a smile to my face. The night at social service was agony; time mocked me as minutes seemed to feel like hours.

A youthful looking woman carrying a manila folder sat in the seat next to me with pity and sympathy in her eyes. "I am truly sorry that this has happened to you dear, my name is Cassandra Emery and I'm here to help you. You can call me Cassandra or Cassie, whichever meets your liking darlin'." Cassandra looked around and motioned me to come closer like she was going to tell me a secret. "Do you want some food sweetie? The police are going to talk to you tomorrow so after all this paperwork is sorted I can take you over to my house and cook some dinner for the two of us and you can get some rest." She leaned back in her seat and flashed me a big toothy grin that reached her eyes.

"I wouldn't want to be a burden Cassie..."

"Sweetie I'll be making dinner anyways and my boss says I'm allowed to let you spend the night at my house since we can't contact a foster home this late at night and I am your social worker as of now. The only people that'll be at the house will be you and me since my husband will be working late."