Sharp Tools

Chapter 11: Maleficent

Clove's POV:

It took me the entire day to fully clean the house, restoring its physical appearance but not the memories. Whenever I close my eyes I relive the moment the light passed from her eyes. How angry and hurt I felt at my dad, her murderer. Yet I still remember the time when he bought me ice cream after I scraped my knee. Or how he used to read bedtime stories to me when I couldn't fall asleep. It makes me sad that the dad I used to love and adore is now someone I want to hate but just can't.

I punch at a tree, my frustrations coming out as blood on my knuckles. A few feet away is a freshly covered hole. A hole I took hours to dig for Mom. It's almost sunset. Crystal and Carter are still at Macy's house, where she graciously took them despite numerous of the twins' protests. They wanted to help me do ... whatever I planned to do, but I refused. I'm their big sister. It's my job to protect them. To give them the normal childhood they deserve. Though that's definitely ruined now.

I huff and sit down, my back leaning against the tree. Closing my eyes, I feel the cold wind against my face, the sun's heat slowly leaving. I should get to Macy's house. It's been a while since I dropped them off. Sighing, I get to my feet and trudge down the street to my best friend's house. Before I can even knock, the door swings open.

"Clove!" It's her mom. "Welcome, sweetheart." As Mrs. Miller guides me inside, I notice everyone sitting around the table with plates of food in front of them.

All the seats are taken up.

I shift awkwardly. "Oh, it looks like you guys are busy. I can come back later."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Miller exclaims, quickly pulling up another chair, ushering the others to make room, "there's always room for you, Clove."

I give her a grateful smile as I slip into the seat and she puts a plate in front of me.

It was nice to feel this, to feel somewhat normal after such a sad day. During dinner, I purposefully avoid Macy's gaze, knowing she has questions about what happened.

"Can I help you with the dishes?" I ask them. "Just to pay you back for taking care of the twins today."

"I'll join you." Macy quickly adds, giving me a look that clearly shows her annoyance and me ignoring her all night.

I nod, gathering up the plates and taking them to the sink. As soon as we get out of earshot of her parents, my best friend hounds me with questions after tackling me into a hug.

"Oh my god, Clove," she whispers, "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I've done too much of that already.

"I'm fine." I lean my head against her as she continues to hold me together.

She pulls back and looks at me. "You know I'm here if you need anything, right? Whether it's to watch your siblings or if you need to talk..."

"I know. Thanks Mace."

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It's the middle of the night. Crystal and Carter are already in bed, but I lie awake, unable to ignore the pain in my chest. Unable to sleep, I get out my guitar, playing notes with my fingers softly treading on the strings.

"What are we gonna do?" I sing quietly. "Where are we gonna go? To the capitol, to the mines, to the place where I'm bound to die? How are we going to live," I pause, "if we have nothing, nothing to keep us sane."

Finally, I get out of bed and do something I've never dared to do. I snuck out, which I guess isn't technically sneaking out if Mom or Dad aren't here to catch me. Deciding to walk around town, I notice the shift in the atmosphere. It's not longer bright and sunny like it is in the daytime. Now, the centre lives in drab and depression, with a passed out man slumped over near a pile of what seems to be his puke.