Hell's Heaven

The Brook

     She loved camping. The tall trees, the silence all around, the break from all the noisy neighbors and sirens. She enjoyed taking long walks alone and absorbing nature. She couldn't wait to get away from the family so she could try and find some birds and squirrels. If she got really lucky, she'd see a deer.

     “Felicia! Stop lollygagging and get your butt over here! We have things to do before it gets dark.” Jared yelled, snapping his daughter out of her thoughts.

     “Coming.” Felicia sighed. The forest was tempting. She wanted to just run through the maze of trees until she got lost. She sighed again as she turned from the alluring forest and sauntered over to where her dad was pitching the tent.

     With the tents set up and dinner made, they sat at the plastic picnic table they brought with them. Felicia pretended to enjoy the bean tacos her mother, Patricia, made. She let her mind wonder as she chewed.

     Felicia looked at her mom and wished she had her perfect nose and full lips. Her own lips were thin, and her nose was too small in her opinion. They shared the same bright red hair, but where Patricia had lovely curls that cascaded down her back, Felicia had iron straight hair that hung limply. Her mother had beautiful blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean. Felicia had red eyes that made her think of hell fire.

     Sighing in annoyance, Felicia looked at her older sister, Paris. She had raven black hair like their dad, which was curly and fluffy. The blue eyes of their mother. She had the body every boy in school drooled at while hers was flat and straight, like a log. Felicia growled as she violently tore another piece of tortilla off with her teeth.

     She glanced at her dad and instantly felt better. At least he wasn't perfect. Jared was your average dad. A little overweight with a small pot belly. He kept his black hair short, but it always found a way to look messy. His brown eyes were dull and lifeless as if he'd given up on life years ago.

     Jared felt his youngest daughter looking at him, so he glanced over, “Stop gawking and eat like a normal girl. No more acting like a savage as you tear into your dinner,” He shook his head as he went back to his own dinner and mumbled to himself, “No wonder you're single.”

     Felicia pretended she didn't hear him as she looked down and blinked rapidly as her tears stung her eyes. She ate slowly and ‘girly’ like her sister.

     After the food was eaten and dishes cleaned and put away, Jared went about making a fire in the pit.

     “I'm going for a walk.” Felicia told him as she walked past.

     “No. Help Paris put the rest of the food away so bears don't get into them. Then, set out the bed rolls and sleeping bags in the tent. Be quick about it. I need you to gather more wood for the fire soon.” Jared didn't even look at her as he poured lighter fluid onto the wood he'd piled in the pit before flicking a match into it.

     Felicia sighed and looked back at her sister. “Can't everyone put out their own sleeping bags?”

     Jared's head snapped up at her as he knelt in the dirt, “Excuse me?” He stood up and glared down at his daughter, “Any more lip, and I'll slap them off you.”

     Felicia took a few steps back as she looked at the ground and mumbled an apology, “Sorry, I'll get it done.”

     As she turned to walk away, Jared gave her a hard kick in the arse to help get her started. “Hurry up, you lazy shit.”

     Felicia gave a small yip as she was booted forward, and then she took off running. She hated her dad. He was always doing things like that.

     The next morning, the sun was hidden by dark gray clouds that looked about to burst. After yesterday's oppressive heat, today's cool breeze was a blessing. She couldn't wait to go exploring. Today was the perfect day since she wouldn't be overly hot and sweating.