𝐏𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 || Liam Dunbar

- 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 -

California, Beacon Hills

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The bitter rain trickles down my face, I wince as another biting pain prods my side. I bring my hand up to clutch the source, hissing as it burns into my skin. The bleak winter gale runs its course through my hair, sending a chill creeping up my spine. I squeeze my eyes closed, taking in a sharp inhale before continuing on down the terrace.

I didn't know what time it was or what had happened, all I knew is that I was going home. With nothing but the dim street-lights guiding me, I followed the trail toward my house. I wondered what my Father would say, seeing me home so late.

I sniffled, feeling a sense of security as I caught sight of my home. All lights were off. The veranda snaked it's way around the house, it's weathered tile roof being held up by large support beams. All curtains were drawn, it seemed so lifeless in there, she felt so lifeless.

Stumbling over, she quietly inched up the stairs of the porch, being careful not to wake her Dad. The burgundy door unlatched and she slipped inside. Slinking up the carpeted stairs, she moved to her room, instantly being greeted by Marmalade, her cat.

"Don't ask." She huffed, staring back into Marmalade's sage irises as rain-water leaked from her clothes.

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Carmen hung half off her bed, drooling as she slept. Her hand dangled limply over the edge of her mattress, swaying occasionally when she decided to shuffle in her sleep. A whistle came from beside her and she sat up abruptly, whacking her head on her bedside table on her way up. "Gah! Oh— oh my god," she yelped.

Her once widened eyes dulled as she noticed her Father, Henrik, towering over her bed. She groaned, rubbing the back of her head while falling against her headboard. "You really are an extremely light sleeper," he snickered to himself, which earned him a scowl from his daughter.

"What time is it?" She grumbled, closing her eyes breifly. "It's time for you to get ready!" he clapped his hands together. Carmen cringed, covering her ears as the sound emulated against her eardrums.

"First day, come on, it's going to be great!" He beamed, disregarding her strange behaviour. Henrik then twisted on his heels, striding out her room as she drowsily stumbled out of bed.

She made her way down the hallway and into the bathroom, flicking the light switch up as a yellow-tinted glow emitted from the bulb, a faint hum ringing from it as it struggled to cast a feeble light.

The light flickered, the humming being replaced by a crackling noise before it simmered to life again. Carmen dismissed it, continuing on with her routine.

She made her way back to her room, staring at it's emptiness before moving to the mahogany, antique dresser her Dad had assembled for her recently. Placing her hand on the brass handle, she tugged on it. It was jammed. She rolled her eyes in annoyance, jerking it ever-so-slightly.

She screeched as the whole drawer level of the dresser came soaring out, sending her back with a smack.

She grumbled curses to herself, now laying on the floor with the dresser ontop of her. "What happened?" Her Dad's figure stood in the doorway, gazing at her with a bewildered look. "I don't know, I just— pulled it and it all came out!" She threw her hands up, frustrated, as she scrambling out from underneath it. Henrik rolled his eyes and left with a scoff.