Fear Feast

[ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 ]

I end up going home.

As my feet guide me towards my destination, my mind is blank as loud music is blaring in my ears due to the earbuds I have on.

I walk on the sidewalk, long trees that never seem to end on my left and the street filled with cars on my right.

I earlier thought about going to the circus, to head to my trailer and stay there for the night and leave around morning.

It isn't a bad idea to go, but I know that my parents will be on me if I go and don't say anything.

The more the idea begins to eat at my brain, the more I refuse.

I just don't want to be anywhere right now.

But I have to go somewhere.

My feet automatically stop as I arrive at the two-story house that I've lived in all my life that looks inviting, but isn't.

Flowers sit near the front porch, absorbing the afternoon sun and shining their vibrant colors. The two cars in the driveway are mine and Mom's, which means Mom and Dad took Dad's car to get to work.

I don't use my car as often as I should, since Mom drives me everywhere like I'm some kid. Maybe one day she'll leave me alone and let me do whatever I want, but that's a stupid fantasy.

The front yard has its grass neatly mowed and free of any lumps or weeds poking out, all of this only being well-kept because of my parents.

They enjoy keeping our house neat and tidy on the outside.

The inside is a different story.

As I step up towards the porch and walk up to the front door, I wish I could run. Far, far from here.

But that isn't an option.

Once I prove that I have a "worthy job" and can handle myself just fine, that's when they'll let me go.

Oh, and when I find the "perfect" boyfriend.

If only they knew.

I reach for the doorknob and give it a twist before I find out it's locked.

Just as expected.

Pulling my hand back, I kneel down and place down my backpack.

I zip open one of the pockets in the front, pulling out my spare house key.

I know that I have a curfew and I don't necessarily need a key, but Mom and Dad gave me one just in case they aren't home.

Holding the key, I get back to my feet and insert the key inside the empty keyhole.

I twist the handle of the key, allowing the front door to click and swing open.

I close up my backpack and make my way inside.

Sunlight from the windows in the kitchen peeks through, shining down onto the floor as I close the door behind me.

With my earbuds still in, I walk past the living room and the kitchen.

I don't need to look back to know that the kitchen is a mess, the only people that clean the kitchen are Mom and I.

When I mean "Mom and I," I really mean that she leaves me to do all the work.

I remove one earbud from my ear, hearing the dreaded silence of my house and the annoying clock that ticks away in the living room.

As I make my way towards the stairs, sudden goosebumps run over my skin as a small wave of air kicks in from the air vent above.