Butterflies - H.S.

10

2:47 am, the clock on my beside table read.
I heard screaming coming from downstairs, followed by glass shattering.
I shot up out of bed. I had this awful feeling in my stomach. Something wasn't right.
I slowly made my way to my bedroom door which was open just a crack. Light from the hallway poured in as I opened it further.
"Shut up! Shut the fuck up!" A male voice yelled.
I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. My body was paralyzed with fear.
I recognized the voice.
It was... my dad.
I grabbed the closest thing to me, which was an umbrella, and started to head down the stairs. As I was about to turn into the living room, I saw Maria crouched down hiding behind a cabinet. There were tears running down her face, and she mouthed to me:
"Don't go in there." 
I peered my head around the corner to try to get a view of what the hell was happening. What I saw was a scene I would never forget.
There were empty beer cans scattered all over the place. My dad had my mother in a headlock with a gun pointed to her chin. I had to refrain from screaming.
I glanced back at Maria.
"Annabelle, you have to leave. Now. I'll figure this out, you need to get out of here." She whispered.
"But-"
"Annabelle, LEAVE!" She whisper-yelled.
I bit my lip. I didn't want to leave Maria and my mom. I couldn't.
I shook my head.
"I can't leave you and mom."
"You have to. I'll take care of it, okay?" Maria hugged me tightly.
"I love you. Always remember that."
She kept her voice quiet. "Now go."
-
I made my way to the garage and hopped on my bike. I took one last look at the house I've known for all my life, and pedalled away. Tears streamed down my face and I quickly wiped them away. There was only one place I could go...
-