Unkissed. (Rated R)

4.♣️

IT STORMED FOR DAYS, as if nature knew I would not hesitate to move about, despite my instructions to remain bed rested. A full week to be exact, continuously pouring and whistling outside, also been a week since my father has been home. True to his words the Dr has come by and checked my wounds, supplying me with nutrition and proper clothing. Astonished how I was already walking around.

"Not many kids can even be able to walk after all those broken bones, their bodies wouldn't handle it. " he says to me the other day.

Those words stuck to me since, I had no answer at the time, I didn't even take it as a question but now I do. The reason why I fight so hard is to always be strong enough to be at her side forever, the way she wants it to be and the way I need it to be.

"Because, not many kids have something worth fighting for."

I finally reply, to no-one in particular but myself in the mirror. Faint red bruises still apparent throughout the various places of my skin, a few hardly noticeable; hidden in the pigmentation of my Umber complexion.

Midnight curly strands fall longer down to my chin, hazel eyes looking back at my younger self, attire no longer having chewed up holes, the foul smell gone, food provided to me helping me gain more muscle -- filling the places that were getting bony.

I feel new and improved, finally feeling worthy enough to seek out the light that I have missed for so long, my best friend, my ally, my ... my future.

All that glitters is never gold.

A squeal on the outside catches my attention, just below my window. I don't even have to look, to know it was him, the shadow man.

It's the fifth time this week, why does he linger close to me? It's as if he is expectant of something, though it frightens me it is just as intriguing. If he were really after me, this place is a breath away from tearing down, yet he doesn't make an attempt, oddly eerie.

In the bathroom I stay continuously playing with hair, styling it to something more suitable as water droplets fall onto the moldy bucket, replaying over and over again the best way to apologize to her. Apologize for not being by her side for so long.

Insecure creeps in, would she ever forgive me? closing my eyes to deeply sigh I peel them open slightly catching something in the mirror. In the small hole there was a light that seeped in, light? hastily I run to the window forgetting the reason why I was fearful of it in the first place, it is light. The clouds have parted allowing the sun to dazzle down its rays, wind still heavy but the warmth was evident.

It has cleared, my smile nearly tore my cheeks, not a second longer to wait, I nearly fly downstairs. Meeting the beam in my face as I open the door, sprinkles of rain water still fall from the hood of the homes, My eyes not yet adjusting to the light after being cooped in darkness for a some time.

But no matter, I need to head down to the horizon, now that I am granted time, I want to not waste another second.

Ripe sandals nearly tearing as I step on the rocky pavement, but the anticipation that burns in my veins pushes me further. It never dawned on me as to why the streets were quiet but the only logical answer could be because it only just stopped raining.

Scraping sounds of the heel of my sandal on the floor, ignoring the odd silence. The sun beaming brighter, casting my shadow on the ground before me but something stills my heart when I noticed another shadow just behind me.

My head nearly snaps as I whip it back -- Nothing, just tinfoil trash cans overflowing with wastes. Unsettling silence but a strange sensation, perhaps it is my anxiety that makes me jittery but something just didn't feel right.