I Met a Vampire Down in Santa Carla

Chapter Four

This morning has been far more chaotic than I'd liked. I woke up to Kayla throwing up due to a major hangover. I went in to help her and ended up getting puked on. It wasn't pretty; this led me to change from the outfit I wore the night before. I had to resort to wearing some of her clothes and it was anything from what I wear nowadays. Short shorts and a tank top. I pull into the driveway in hopes that Steve has to work today. When I notice his van in the garage any hope of getting in without worry has officially left. I look around trying to see in the windows if he was in the living room. Maybe I can just wait him out. I seriously doubt that though. I slowly open the door with an eerie creek. I look around and the coast was clear. I dart towards the stairs to hear an audible gasp. I tried to ignore it but it was too late I was caught sneaking in like a teenager who got home past curfew. "What in god's name are you wearing." His voice boomed. I try to ignore him but I feel his tight grip on my shoulder yanking me to face him. "Where were you? Did you go out looking like this" He snaps. I shake my head but before I can protest or make my stand he is already dragging me up the stairs. "you need to be cleansed" he was out of his fucking mind. There is no way I'm letting him do that. 

I haven't been cleansed in years and I'm not planning on letting that shit start up again. The ice baths and the yelling prayers. Back then I was too small to properly fight back. I claw his face and he lets go. I was pulling from him so hard that when he did I went tumbling down the stairs. I groan and I try to get up the wind having been knocked out of me. I need to get up and get out of this fucking house. I hear the water-running bastard still intended to give me that cleanse. I stumble onto my feet and start running ignoring all the aches in my body. I see my mom her eyes were wide in horror. "Mom get your shit" I yell she was frozen in place. She looks behind me he was there. I feel myself being turned around to meet face-to-face with Steve. His face was red with rage a scratch on his right cheek. I got him good too with blood down his face. I try squirming my way out but I am slapped hard I hit the ground with a loud thud. I groan trying to get up as I hear my mom yelling at him. He shoves past her and goes to the freezer as a bag of ice is pulled out. He always kept on full just for times like these. I hear them yelling and a crash. I stumble up and I see my mom crying on the ground. This is bullshit, no matter how much I want to go and save her I couldn't move. I felt my own fear and sorrow seep its way into my core. If I stop struggling and get this over with then she won't get hurt. "stop" I sob "I'll do it just stop" I get up and I look at him he smiles satisfied that I'm complying. I follow him up the stairs that loom over. He opens the door and pours the ice in. He waits for me to undress before forcing me to sit. 

The ice-cold water burned like fire. I sob as he reads through his passages. "stand up" he smiles. I do so shivering he goes to the cabinet. He pulls out salt and cups it in his hands and starts scrubbing. The cold mixed with salt caused burns over my skin. I remember doing this to myself. Put salt on my wrist then ice it to burn. It couldn't have prepared me for the sensation that itched at my skin. He flicks his hands off most likely burning himself as well. He then leaves and slams the door. I sink into the tub and let the water out with a quickness. I turn on the warm water and let it wash over me. I sob wishing I hadn't come back. I scrub at my skin which has now gone through so fucking much. No matter how much it hurt I couldn't stop scrubbing my skin. I wanted any trace of him touching me off. I wanted to be rid of this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. As the hot water runs out I shut the water off stepping out. I dry off before going into my room and locking the door. I lay on my bed and I look at my phone. I had two missed messages. Both were from the same unknown number. 'hey' the first read 'You get home okay gorgeous' I didn't have any patience left for anyone or anything. I leave the text on read and I call in to work. I lie saying a family emergency came up. I spend the rest of the night wallowing in hate and sadness. 

I wake up looking at the time, 11:30 at night. I have pretty much slept for the past twenty-four hours. Luckily I'm off tonight. I check my phone to several missed messages. Mostly from Kayla who was apologizing for her drunk actions and Tyler who was complaining he had to double-take shit. I couldn't care less about that though jackass should get off his ass more. In fact it wasn't that long ago he came in begging me to take a client for him which I did but then fucker ended up with the pay. Lazy sack of shit. I look back at the previous two messages I had once ignored. 'hi' is all I type back feeling a bit guilty that I just ignored him. I get up and I sneak downstairs now in fully acceptable clothing. Next time I will just come home covered in puke. I am now in brown plaid pj pants with a matching brown teeshirt with a skull on it. I gaze in the fridge for something to eat. I pull out some leftovers that have my name on them. Literally, Mom has a little note with my name on it. It read ' I'm sorry for what happened if you need to leave please do I don't want you hurt. I made your favorite just for you. With love Mom' my heart ached. I wouldn't leave even if she wanted me to. I can't not now that I know how far he can and will go to prove his point. I heat the beef stew in the microwave. It was my favorite thing she made and it took her all day to make. I just wish I was awake when it was freshly done and could've enjoyed it with her.