Awaken *EDITING IN PROGRESS*

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Kaylin

Picking up the last of the dishes off the table I could hear the door closing with Scott promising to meet Dad in the morning to leave for the office. Those knots in my stomach could restrain the wildest of animals, they formed the moment I met Scott's eyes and remained even now. Now was time to reap the punishments that Allen would have been counting throughout the dinner, it was almost a tradition. 

"Kitten, you did surprisingly well, I'm very pleased," he stated as he grabbed the wine and started drinking directly from the bottle. Cautiously I waited as Allen made his way to his office before releasing a breath that I didn't register I was holding. Either the wine was that good, or Allen was pregaming before he would feel like taking a swing at me. Before he could change his mind, or look for some new infraction, I made my way to the kitchen to start the dishes.

Putting what little food Allen and Scott didn't eat, I packed in containers and stored in the refrigerator for tomorrow. I'd have to ask Allen if I needed to prepare a lunch for him tomorrow, after the wine is finished though. I started washing the dishes mindlessly, glasses first. Followed by plates and cutlery, lastly the serving dishes, pots, and pans. Allen had come in the middle of dishes to give his orders; to my shock tomorrow I basically had the day off besides making his breakfast. He stumbled off to bed with the loud thud of his door announcing the end of his night. 

The moon had set in the sky by the time I finished cleaning the counters, Allen was sound asleep, so I felt star gazing seemed like a nice idea. Taking off my apron though still in my dress, I tip toed outside, silently pulling the door shut behind me. The crisp fall night air felt like silk on my exposed skin, almost craving the nearly full moon I shed my cover. Heading further into the yard I sat on a wooden bench just beside a little pond in the yard. Dipping my toes in the cool water. I turned my gazed up at the sky, all those stars twinkling down at me, alone. Ever since the night mom and Sarah died, I wished I was one of those stars. Some reason though I thought of the night sky as my mother and sister, the only time I felt connected to them. It was silly of course; Allen was quick to tell me most of the thoughts I had were as such. While it brought me comfort on some nights, I was glad that they couldn't see me. They would be so disgusted to even look at me, they were gone but together in their eternity, that alone gave me strength. 

"Don't get lost up there," a deep husky voice spoke. Causing me to jump so abruptly that I almost fell off my bench.

"Y-You startled me Mr. Cape," I responded once my heart stopped pounding through my chest. Scott was leaning against the gate that was connected to ours, the pose making him look effortlessly handsome.

"I've told you dear, call me Scott," he pushed off the gate and moved to rest his forearms on the railings, an easy boyish smile spreading across his face. "You look beautiful out here in this light, in that dress. Like an angel," his smile remained, but his eyes they connected to mine, and I could feel my heart still. It took all I had in me to remain seated, pulling my legs up closer to my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs tightly. The heat from my cheeks was so hot I could feel them radiating on my shoulders. 

"I really should get back inside before my father gets upset," I said untangling myself, then standing slowly, trying to not run off. The problem was here in this moon light, I wasn't sure if I would dash towards the house...or to Scott. Nothing could make sense as to why I felt like he was who I should move towards. One foot at a time I made it the bottom of the stairs, it wasn't without effort. "But thank you," I briefly paused, looking back to him over my shoulder before adding. "Scott."

Silently slipping into the house without another glance back, my heart was sounding off like a cannon was going off in my chest. Scott said I looked like an angel; he thought I was beautiful. Clearly overthinking it, Scott never said that I was beautiful. Before going upstairs I locked all the doors, still my smile remained, grabbing a bottle of water I made my way upstairs to the bathroom in the hall. Removing my makeup, I pressed in on certain areas that were still sensitive. Bruises may have faded but the bone was still sensitive, would be for while more. What had I ever done in my life to deserve this? Those feelings Scott gave me of beauty and desire died swiftly.  Though, maybe with Scott around the beatings would stop, nothing but wishful thinking on my part.

Shutting off the lights and heading to my room, I could barely recall the last time I slept in my own bed. If I wasn't ordered to Allen's room, then I wasn't supposed to be there. Sometimes I wouldn't go in there for a long time, other times I never saw my room, then there was the nights like tonight he drank himself stupid. Slipping into the bed the sheets smelt stale, I would wash them tomorrow since there wasn't anything more to do. I set my alarm for 5:30 so giving me time to get up and have everything perfect and start making breakfast going before Allen woke up at 6:15. Snuggling deep into the sheets I was feeling oddly comfortable for once. Thoughts of Scott flashed in my mind as I started to drift off, meeting his eyes for the first time, feeling my hand in his, his lips on my hand and fingers, to our meeting in the yard. With his face in my mind, I slept without nightmares for the first time in a very long time.

                                                                                          *     *     *

I slammed off the alarm seconds after it began shrilling through the house, not wanting to wake Allen. Flopping back into my pillow I blushed, my alarm had woken me from a dream of Scott. We were in the yard again; I was looking in the pond and his face appeared breaking my concentration where he pulled me to stand next to him. Scotts hands were caressing my face, he then lifted me into his arms and started to take me away. Loud noises broke the scene, hearing something calling my name caught my attention back to the house, it was Allen he was running towards us with a gun. Next thing I knew Scott was falling to the ground and I was thrown, looking up to see Allen standing over Scott, the alarm woke me before anything else could happen.

Feet hitting the cold floor, I felt optimistic about today weirdly enough. Allen would be gone for most of it. With hope in my heart, I dressed for the day and made sure to put on a little bit of makeup, just in case Scott came in to meet up with Allen. Dressing in a purple fitted shirt with jeans and just a pair of socks, throwing my hair up in a messy bun as I headed downstairs. Normally I wouldn't put this much effort in but on the chance, Scott came over, I didn't want to anger Allen.

As I started frying the bacon I made a little extra, just in case, no one discussed if Scott was joining us. Setting up the table for Allen, pouring his juice, and tuning the television to the morning news. Flipping the bacon, I started frying his eggs in a separate pan. Placing toast in the toaster, I pulled butter and jams out of the fridge and placed them on the table. Plating Allen's breakfast I brought it all to the table just as I heard his alarm go off. I ran a grabbed two cups of coffee, mine and Allen's, with mine in hand I went to go collect the morning paper from the porch. Opening the door I literally ran into a strong, solid chest, that now had my coffee on it. 

"Well looks like I'll need to change already," a warm rolling laugh came from the chest I was clinging too. Scott's arms were holding me steady; I finally processed my coffee was on Scott and his perfectly white shirt!

"Kaylin is someone here?" Allen yelled from upstairs.

"Go!" I whispered urgently. "He can't see!" I frantically pushed him off the porch as panic set in, feeling tingles on my arms and under my hands. "Just the paperboy daddy, just saying good morning!" Scott was already jumping the fence to his yard when I turned back to look, disappearing around the bushes just as I heard Allen's footsteps.

"Morning kitten, breakfast smells great," Allen said, kissing my forehead and taking the paper from my hands. I was completely stunned; this nice act was starting to scare me. I knew it would only last so long but hope still plagued me, the other shoe always has to drop, doesn't it?

"Thank you, Daddy. Just wanted you to have a filling breakfast for work today," I followed him into the house, making it to the table only to be interpreted by a knock.

"I'll get it kitten," Allen offered warmly. He got up and went to answer the door, I heart pounded in my chest, blood rushed in my ears as he moved to the door. I refilled my coffee, trying to act normal and began to sip when I heard that deep voice from my dreams once again. 

"Morning Kaylin," Scott greeted, his smile restarting my dead heart.