On the run

Chapter 20

TW- Trigger Warning

Kyle's POV

'Where am I?' were the first words that crossed my mind as my eyes struggled to open. But it seemed that I didn't need to ask, as I instantly recognized the literal dump of a bar as soon as my eyes cleared.

Unintentional dim lights that would occasionally flicker or release sparks, the dampness and smell of alcohol and tobacco present in every piece of furniture and utensil, that one patch of moss steadily spreading on the corner of a far wall, dirt and cigarette butts messily swept to the corner of the place, chairs and tables that had holes in them, but was lazily covered up by old clothes and finally, the drunk bastards that often patronized this place to get even more wasted over dinner or get a quick one night stand.

Why am I this hell hole again?

I made a move to leave but I was fixed in place, unable to move or talk. Maybe I was reliving a memory of mine, it wouldn't be long till I spot... ah, there I was.

Torso covered with a singlet stained with dirt and beer, lower half dressed in a pair of oversized boxers which was held together with a string, greasy hair , Pale and skinny body, and a pair of dead looking blue eyes?

Yeah that's me.

His frail hands held a tray of drinks and walked in slow, measured steps to avoid accidents. There was a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, which reminded me of all the stressful work, nightmares, headaches and starvations I had to deal with back then.

He carefully dropped the tray on the table and scurried away as fast as his feeble legs could take him. I wanted to follow him but the next thing I knew, I was standing next to him in a desolate corner outside the bar.

He reached into a small hole dug in the ground and pulled out a small sack. Oh yeah, that's where I would hide some leftover food items that I swiped from customers to give Melanie.

He inspected the contents, feeling disappointed at the small quantity. He walked around the building and into a small alley next to it. A corner was made into a small shelter using old cardboard boxes, newspapers and clothes.

Thank God there wasn't much rain at the time or we'd have had to leave there much sooner.

He moved aside the pieces of cardboard and walked in, his seemingly lifeless eyes became filled with panic at the realization that Melanie was nowhere to be found.

I gritted my teeth and tried to clench my eyes shut but couldn't despite knowing the horror that was about to happen.

The sack of food had long settled on the ground; young me dashed back into the bar, looking everywhere for Melanie's petite figure. 'We were already done for today, so why wasn't she back?' I remember myself thinking.

That's when young me remembered that guy who Melanie apparently said was her friend. 'Could she be with him right now? But I told her to stay away from him' I remember also thinking that.

He ran out of the bar and into the shady motel a couple of blocks away from it. This was where he had seen them the last time she returned late.

He searched through the rooms, barging in on the occupants without a care. He barged into another, expecting the same scene, but something was off about this one. His eyes widened in horror, as did mine.

This scene always managed to plunge my heart into the depth of despair, no matter how many times I had experienced it.

The man- never cared about his fucking name- was lying NAKED on top of MY sister. I wouldn't have spotted her if not for her worn out grey slippers lying on the floor and her thin arms that were pinned up by the bastard.