Chasing Skylar

Run.

Was all I could think of as the icy air from the air conditioner nipped my unprotected skin. I couldn’t believe that is the first word that would come to my mind, not even fight or protect or anything but, run. How feeble was I? This type of cowardness should be damn illegal.

“Get back here!” he man shouted angrily as I turned around to get a quick glimpse at him. His features matched his tone perfectly, like two peas in a pod. Ok, great time to use vegetables in this type of situation huh Skylar.

I continued running as fast as my skinny legs could carry me. Bending the corner I stumbled upon the stairs, not in that way where you come upon and see the stairs. No, I mean literially I stumbled and fell down the stairs. That’s going to do wonders for my back. I heard the pitter patter of his footsteps as I got myself off the floor. Man, those footsteps were awfully close, which is not good for me. I scrambled off the floor as fast as a deer caught in headlights and headed towards the kitchen.

“Skylar!” he shouted, aw man, he’s hot on my trail, I’ve got to tell my track and field coach that these practices are not working. This is the point of track and field right? So you and get fast in case you miss the bus and have to chase after it, or because you need to rush to the black Friday sale, or in my case run because someone is chasing after you.

I made it to the backyard, almost, his hands grasped my wrist. I felt as if all the circulation was cut off between my hand and my arm. “Come!” he shouted angrily as he carried me back the way we just ran and up to my parents’ room.

Aw, man.

Ok Skylar, stay calm, think humorous thoughts, come on Skylar. I cooed to myself like an owner would do to their dog.

Who am I Fu$king kidding I can’t stay calm in this situation.

“Let go!” I shouted continuously while he dragged me back up the stairs. I think he has a back of steel because my attempts to beat the crap out of him with my other hand were frugal.

He stopped all of a sudden like a man who has just bounced up traffic on the highway. He pivoted on his heal to face me. “I don’t think so, baby.” He slurred, the strong scent of alcohol hit my nose like a bowling ball hitting the pins. Actually that’s not such a good mental image in my head. He turned back around and continued to drag me up the stairs, while the strong scent still hovered around my face.

We entered my parents’ bedroom and once again I was greeted by the terrible sight that I must once witness again. All those humorous thoughts rapidly went away and exchanged for sad and depressing thoughts. In front my eyes was the one thing that could hurt anyone the most, no matter who you are or what age, what language you spoke or what way of life you had.

He put the cold metal object in my hands, while I stared at the gruesome sight. “Do it!” he shouted as he adjusted my hand as if it was a bow and arrow.

“Shoot her!” he snared at me.

Tears trickled down my face as I looked at her, her small fragile body tied with rope to the bed frame. Her face and lips pale as snow while everything quivered as she stared at me with sorrowful eyes. I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t shoot the one person that brought me happiness in my dark world, the one person who made everything seemed so simple the one person who was always there for me no matter what the odds were.

My mom.

“Do it!” he shouted as my hand quivered. He positioned my hand so the gun was pointed straight at her.

“No!” I said softly.

Suddenly something cold was again my temple while he grabbed my forearm with as much force as ten men.