The World I Knew Isn't The Same Anymore

Chapter 20 Running to Stand Still

I've been here before, Bree thinks as she looks around her surroundings.

She's back in the simple cabin made of wood. Like staring at herself, she sees Genevieve. Her dark golden brown locks falling to her waist, and hazel eyes so bright they can easily be mistaken as gold. Genevieve's alone, staring at her reflection from a small and simple mirror. Her clothes are freshly washed and ironed making her large gown seamless looking.

Then the room begins to spin and Bree's vision goes blurry. Shades of brown and gold cloud her vision until the streaks of color disperse and she's standing in another room.

This time two children, a girl and a boy. The girl has the same golden brown hair that's a wild mess of curls, and hazel golden eyes with fair skin - Genevieve, probably about 6 or 7 years old. And next to her is a boy, probably a couple years older, possibly 9 or 10. He shares the same porcelain skin complexion and arched nose with high cheek bones. His hair is a lighter shade of brown, almost like a dirty blonde, whereas his eyes are similar to Genevieve's but instead of golden he has flecks of green, making the hazel a greenish color.

The two seem to be playing. It's a simple room, small and just one window. They're on a rug, as the place is made of wood and cement. Genevieve is playing with some wooden dolls whereas the boy seems to be drawing on paper with pencils. Not much is in here besides a simple rocking horse and pillows. The little girl seems happy playing with her dolls, whereas the boy has no smile on his face and scribbling something that Bree can't quite see.

Bree can't move her body nor see her own hands and feet. It's as if she's just a pair of eyes watching what's in front of her.

Suddenly the creaking big brown door slams open causing the boy to drop his pencils and the girl to clutch her doll at her chest. Her smile quickly has faded and both children look more pale than before. They're also pretty skinny, much skinnier than the average child and the girls wrist are as big as two adult fingers side by side.

In waltz's a man, he has a mustache and beard and shares the same hair color as the children. His eyes are much more boring, just a milk chocolate color, and he seems to have muscle growing on his arms. He scowls down at the children. "One of you made a mess in the kitchen," and his voice is cold, stern, and in a tone that's too frightening for children to hear.

Little Genevieve holds her breath and her wrist bones pop out as she clutches that doll. The boy seems scared too, but does a much better job at hiding it. He pushes himself up from his position on the ground and firmly squares his small shoulders. "I apologize, poppa."

The older man takes two gigantic steps towards the boy and then raises his left hand. In an instant his palm contacts the boys face letting off a loud SLAP causing the boy to tumble right back down to the ground. Genevieve stays silent, almost like she's used to this, and instead just brings her knees to her chest and clutches the doll harder.

The man doesn't stop with just a slap, no, he kicks the boy straight in the ribs. His small body curls in on itself, but he remains quiet and avoids looking up. "Yesterday you didn't bring in enough wood, today water was all over the sink. For the love of God, Sebastian, when will you do something right!" The man's voice echoes.

Genevieve breaths, actually sobs. The quiet noise was enough to have the man look in her direction, which causes her eyes to grow wide and for her to drop the doll. After another side kick to the boy, he takes a step towards Genevieve.

She's not as strong as the boy, Sebastian, and another sob escapes her. Her fragile and tiny arms go up to protect her face and the older man brings his left leg up.