Haunted

d a d

*TW: MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDER, ADDICTION AND ABUSE*

𖤣𖥧𖡼𖤣𖥧 Gabriella 𖤣𖥧𖡼𖤣𖥧

I toyed with the sleeves of my sweater as I knocked on the door of my da's new house. It was a council estate over on Elk Terrace.

I had begged my mam to convince my step-father to pay for it.

My mam hated my father.
And she wanted me to have no part in my life.

But at fourteen I went looking for him and discovered he was homeless. It tore me apart knowing my dad was in a bad way. So, I started saving my allowances until I had enough to offer my mam a deal.

If I put money towards the house, she would agree to put it under my step-father's name. Another part of the deal being that I was forbidden to visit him.

I had known from a young age my father was troubled. My mam and him dated for a few years before she fell pregnant.

With the weight of a child on his shoulders and not being able to keep a job, he turned to drugs.

My father was an addict, and my mam never let me forget that. She made it her duty to remind me that drugs, alcohol and boys with tattoos were not to be messed with.

As much as it hurt to see my father struggle, I couldn't keep away from him.

When the door swung open and he appeared on the other side his face immediately lit up.

"Gabs," He held his arms out, and I sank into his chest.

"Hi, da," I felt my eyes fill with tears.

I didn't get to see a lot of him, especially when he was out on the streets. So, I hoped this house would change things.

"How are you, Gabs?" Da asked as he welcomed me in the house.

"I'm good," I nodded, "And you?"

"I'm doing great!" He nodded, "I've just started decorating the place. What do ya think?"

I looked around the small living room that consisted of a grey couch, a wooden coffee table, a lamp and a television.

"It's cozy," I smiled.

"It's all thanks to you, kid," He engulfed me in another hug, "You're a gem."

"I'm glad I could help," I sniffled, "You deserve it."

"How's your Mam doing?" He hummed, gesturing for me to follow him into the kitchen.

"The same as always," I shrugged, "Uptight."

"That's Claudia for you," He sighed, "Want anything to drink?"

"Water's good," I replied, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"You hungry?" He eyed me.

I had informed him about my mother's comments about food. He was absolutely appalled and had made a point to make me eat something every time I saw him. Even when he was struggling to eat himself.

"No," I lied.

I was starving and I felt faint, but no amount of food was worth sacrificing the feeling of being thin.

And impressing my mam.

"Are you sure?" He crossed his tattooed arms over his chest.

"Yup," I nodded.

"How's school?" He asked, coming to sit at the seat across from me, "You liking the new school?"

"It's okay," I sighed, "I miss my friends but I've got Aoife and Casey there."

"I'm proud of you, kid," He smiled, "You've got a good head on your shoulders."

"Thanks da," I grinned.

"And how's Katie?" He drummed his fingers against the table.

"She's good. She misses me over at Tommen, but we talk on the phone nearly every day," I informed him.

"Glad to hear it," He nodded, "It's nice you have someone in your corner. What about new friends? I mean it's a new school after all."

"Yeah, I've made a few," I hummed, "A girl named Cam and this guy Joey."

His eyebrows raised, "Is this Joey lad your boyfriend?"

"No," I shook my head, "Just a friend."

He nodded, continuing to drum the table with his shaky hands. I knew it was a sign of withdrawal and that we were both ignoring it.

When shouting came from outside, I was instantly on high alert.

"What's that?" I asked, sitting up straight.

"Some neighbour's down the street," He frowned, "It's a domestic dispute every day at that house."

"Don't you think we should go check it's alright?" I blurted out.

"We can go glance down the street," He offered, rising to his feet.

Following him to the front door, he pulled it open and we stepped out onto the footpath.

A house a few doors down, was erupted in shouting and banging, before a silence filled the air.

"Should we call the Gard's?" I gaped, feeling terrified.

"I have before," Dad sighed, "It's the same thing every time. They come and then the screaming starts right back up after they leave."

Looking back to the house, I felt my stomach churn when the front door flung open and Joey came out.

His eye was swollen shut, a bruise was forming and his lip was busted. He looked furious, as he slammed the door behind him.

I felt sick. I wasn't sure what to make of the scene but I knew it wasn't good.

Someone had hurt him.
And it hadn't been the first time.
The boy was constantly showing up to school with shiners and bloodied lips.

I felt myself freeze when his green eyes locked on me. He also stood, unmoving.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I called out, "Joey?"

He nodded in acknowledgment before lighting up a cigarette.

"So, that's your new friend?" Dad cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I breathed, "Something like that."

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i'm evil, i know.

you know you love me though

and i love you

xoxo

-F