Gone

Gone by Hannah Pendergraft

It has been six years since my mother's death, and ever since things have been running down hill.

"Jack!" my little sister Scarlet hollers to me from downstairs, I run downstairs to see her lying on the floor, our father had hurt her again, shes crying holding one side of her porcelain like face, I look over and see our poor excuse of a father lying drunk on the living room floor passed out on the floor. Shaking my head I quickly pick up scarlet off the floor and carry her to her room and lay her on the bed. "I'll be right back" I say quietly. I then quickly leave and come back to her room returning with some ice wrapped in a rag. I put the rag over her already bruised cheek.

"I'm sorry bubby" says scarlet, she's looking up at me with her crystal blue-grey eyes. A blonde curl fall's down over her eye, I brush it away. "No, I am sorry scar, this shouldn't happen to anyone." Her cheeks are stained with her tears.

"Bubby why does daddy hurt us?" her voice was a whisper. Giving her a sad look I say "I don't know but i promise it will get better, it always will" I kiss her forehead and tuck her in, Then, I leave her room and go up to mine.

(The next morning)

I wake up and rub my eyes, sometimes i just wish i could sleep forever and escape this bitter reality. I sit up and get dressed,I look out the window up into the grey cloudy sky. Rain drops race each other down my window running into each other as they go. I turn around and walk silently from my room, the only sound is the rain's pitter patter against our roof. I peer into scarlet's room to check up on her but I pause. scarlet sits looking at mother's photos, tears flow silently from her eyes. Her cheek is a purplish yellow from the hit she took last night. I creek her door open and kneel down beside her. I reach over and close the photo album, I look at her tear stained cheeks and glossy eyes, pulling her into a hug. I slowly get up and exit her room. I venture down the hall and I stop to see if dad was in the living room still. He wasn't. I look outside only to see his car gone, shrugging I sigh in relief.

I sit on the porch and begin to day-dream of my life when i turn 18 i watch the sky and all of its colors,the purple slowly fades to a blue. I think in just a few months i can move out and take Scarlet with me, I smile at the thought. There's a creak at the door and i freeze thinking it's our dad. i look down and hear a faint " Bubby?" I smile. " Hey scar" i say.

"hello bub" she smiles in return.

i don't know how she does it but, she always manages to stay somewhat smiley. she brightens my day. i hear the car of my dad and rush us both inside.

(A few months later)

i wake up to scarlet tapping my face,i smile up at her as she wishes me a happy birthday. she smiles.

"Jack, do we move today?"

"yes scar, we move today" we both get up and get dressed. i had already packed our bags and rented an apartment the night before. we grab our stuff and creep down the hall, but we get interrupted by our dad ( who is surprisingly sober)

"where do you think you're going missy?"

says our father.

"im going with bubba" claims scarlet her voice a confident whisper.

"not your not" he says

"why not" i say.

he looks at me "because its the law"

"since when have you been the one to follow the law" i had said in a smarelic tone.

"she is staying" he says

"no she isn't , she is not-" I get interrupted.

"SHE IS STAYING!" he shouts.

it goes silent, the words echo in my head. Why must it be like this? I look down. Do i leave her? Do I stay? I look over into scarlets pleading eyes. i pick up my suitcase and walk out the door leaving the only one i know behind.

"Bubby?" she whispers at the verge of tears. She starts to walk to me but my father holds her back. She starts to cry. "JACK!" "dont leave me! please!" she stares at me with a betrayed expression. I open the door and pause. i look down and whisper " I am sorry scar, it's your turn to be the strong one." I raise my head and walk away to start my new future. alone.