Not A Bend In The Binding

Introduction

　

　

Uneasily turning from side to side, she broke into a sweat and yelped out in terror, perturbed of the flashing images haunting within her mind. Being shaken awake, she found herself once again deplorably holding onto her mother, who stared down at her with bleakness in her eyes. She had long grown used to the normality of her daughter’s nightmares, but now, she just didn’t give a shit anymore. There was no shock, and nothing different compared to the night before’s ordeal; and she was weary from having to wake up to a sobbing girl nightly. Tempted to leave and go back to bed, she stirred a little and eyed her daughter, who seemed far to daunted to be left alone.

"Im going to bed now, and you should too. Tell me about it in the morning. Goodnight Elli." Leaving the room with a grunt, she brushed her hair back and stopped out in the hallway, leaving the little girl of only eight years crying herself back to sleep. Inside, it killed her to listen to her daughters tears. Motherly instincts wanted to cradle her, but the other half of her contradicted her conscience and brought her to her knees.

Wearing a loose camisole and plaid shorts, she cradled her face in her palms and shut her eyes, trying to fight back the migraine pounding within her head. Usually she would go on the hunt for advil, but tonight she left it alone and focused on what really mattered.

Barely an hour later, once sure that Elli was under, Josie turned back around and entered quietly, taking the dainty girl into her arms from under her knees and torso. "I'm only doing this because i love you, baby..." She said, convincing herself rather than her daughter, and bringing her out into the hallway.

The rooms were small and crowded in this five room apartment, which consisted of two bedrooms, a bathroom, a livingroom, and a kitchen/diningroom, which could barely seat the two of them when it came to meals. Sliding her feet into black flip flops and grabbing onto a nearby Aeropostale hoodie, she let out a breath of air violently. With only one hallway to connect them all, she was able to slide out and walk down the narrow strip on an angle, and exit the apartment with a small click of the door. Being on the ground floor, she had no worries of stairs infering with her race against the time she was so very limited to.

Leaving the building and taking off in a jog, she passed by many drunkard's and hookers, pretending not to acknowledge them. Though, she learned, it was so hard ignoring their whispering and silent conversations trailing behind her. Finding her car was easy, but starting it and not awaking the girl was the hard part. The engine could be so blatant, Josie feared for the worst.

Finding the small black civic was fairly simple, and setting Elliot in it was just as easy. Forcing herself into the drivers seat, though, was a problem. She just couldnt put herself up to it, knowing that this was her daughter was she was selling over... But she looked identical to her, and she was never offered more money than she was being offered now. Fifty thousand dollars? For a 45 minute drive up to KillingRouge? It was more than worth it, and now, she could finally start up her life. She was almost nineteen and couldn’t even get a job because of this child. Elli was just… a roadblock in everything Josie could be. Her parents stopped sending her money and fifty thousand dollars could do so much for her. It was worth it.

Trying to start the car with a small twitch of her hand, she sent the engine under a rampage and groaned, whipping back as the child stirred and stared up in horror at Josie. Her eyes… They were just so… Pain-filled. Not being able to look at her, she sent a hand across the side of her head, knocking her out manually. At this point, Josie couldn’t hold herself together and whispered, “I‘m so sorry… Please forgive me.” And took off into the night just as the rain began to pour down.

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Pulling into an unpaved driveway, Josie looked down at a torn piece of paper tossed onto the passengers seat, double checking the address. Confirming she was at the right place, she scooped up her daughter and shut the door with her heel. The ranch-based home was untidy and over-grown. Vines twisted up the sides of the barn in the back and trees' branches folded over, resting on the roof. The paint was chipping away and small, blood-red pieces were scattered across the front porch, which creaked beneath her feet as she climbed upward. The moonlight just barely lit her way, but as soon as she stepped a foot onto the porch, automatic lights turned on above and brought some relief to her.

With the sounds of dogs barking hysterically coming from inside, Josie was taken aback and sat down on the bench aligned against the wall to the left of the door. Elliot was now curled up in a ball on her mothers lap, and her dirty blond curls fell across her face. Underneath it all were two bright green eyes, stained red from tears. When she slept she was so beautiful... It was only when she was awake that she was ugly with fear. To wear a petrified look daily... It decreased her appearence, in a way. Or so that was the way Josie had looked at it. But then again, she had... interesting outlooks on most things.

Shutting her eyes, she almost fell asleep when she was awoken by the sound of a male crying out with joy. Jumping upward, she came face to face with a man of at least 50 years. With silver streaks and daring eyes, he stared her dead in the face with a sense of... amazement. "Where did you find her...?" He said slowly, his expression changing to curiousity.

"She was... in the woods... So i took her to my home to clean her up... She appears to be dillusional, though. She thinks her name is Elliot. I saw your signs up and knew she had to be Kiara. Does this look like your little girl...?" Being a very good lier, she batted her eye lashes and looked up at him with innocence. You could tell by his expression that this was definately a double of Kiara, but there was something very wrong with it all. Josie wouldnt know until it was too late what mistake she made.

"Yes... This is my little girl. I dont know how to thank you... Please. Come inside." He moved to the side and allowed Josie to pass by him, holding onto Elliot tightly. "Would you like your money in cash or check?" He followed her behind her and shut the door. The house seemed so dark from the outside, but it was lit up when she stepped in. At this point, she looked side to side, inhaling the stong aroma of decaying wildlife.

"Cash..." She said, chewing down on her lip and setting the little girl down on the couch. "Are you a hunter?" She asked, rubbing her hand against fur pinned up against the crowded wall.

Her dark brown eyes narrowed a little at the print. It was odd... but then again, this was the woods, and anything could be here that she was not accustomed too. In fact, the majority of animals this man had to see on a regular basis she probably never knew existed.

Being handed a case full of twenties, she counted off the money and shook her head with a smile. "I'm so happy i could bring your little girl back to you. Take care of her..." Josie gave Elliot one final look than turn away and walked outside without further questioning. She should have looked back... maybe then she would have seen the facial expression he wore. The face of agony. The face of a liar.