Dawn On The Horizon[ON HOLD]

Ch. 2 New Life

A loud bang brought me out of sleep. Chills swept through me as the cold air seeped in. I knew that sound having heard it many times. My foster-father, Thomas Steele, had arrived home. My foster-mother, Louis Steele, would not be back until later. I glanced at my clock, 9:25, oh yeah, Louis would not be back until at least 10:00.

I wasn't too worried about her, when she was drunk she only mentally abused me, but her husband on the other hand.....

If the bruises and scars on my legs, arms, chest and stomach didn't say anything, I didn't know what would. Usually it wasn't so bad, as long as I behaved accordingly and didn't act up, nothing bad would happen. When he came home like this, drunk and angry after a long day at work, Cole and James would restrain him from doing anything drastic. It was especially bad since I had nearly all my blood drained from my body. I was still a bit woozy and nauseous, which was made worse by being slapped and thrown around.

My body tensed as I heard the creaking of a door opening and the heavy breath of a drunken man. Dread suddenly consumed me as I realized why he had gotten this far. Cole and James were at a party, not due back until 10:00, same time as their mother. I shut my eyes and slowed my breath, trying to make it seem I was still asleep. I may not have many abilities, but I was damned good at feigning sleep. His heavy footfalls came closer and I tried desperately to slow my racing heart. I felt him stand over me, the occasional swish of his beverage as he took a swig.

I don't know how long he stayed, but he moved only when the sound of the door opened and his wife called him down to talk. Her slightly shrill voice grating on my nerves.

"Thomas! I need to speak with you, urgently!"

He left and I sat up, brushing my hair from my face. I wonder what's happened. Whenever she got home, she went straight to the liquor cabinet and retreated to their bedroom, not to be seen until dinner when I called her down. I made my way over to the attic door, the chilled air sending shivers across my arms. I peaked out and strained to hear anything they were saying. I caught fleeting bits of it, her shrill voice cutting above his low one.

"He's coming....."

"I don't know what to do...."

"We can't just leave...."

"Have to give him the money....."

She cut off there as the door opened again for Cole and James. More low voices and then the sound of slamming feet as the twins made their way up to their rooms. Downstairs, Louis seemed frantic, plates clinked together, bottles slammed on the table.

"Rosemary can you come down here please?"

I was shocked, Louis never said please and her voice was wobbly, like my legs. I walked down the stairs to the kitchen, coming to stand in front of a weary looking Thomas and a rattled Louis. This was all very confusing and my mouth got the better of me.

"What's wrong?"

I flinched and bowed my head, expecting a slap to the face for my mistake. But instead a sweaty hand was laid on my shoulder. I meet Thomas's eyes, fear and something else swam in them. Sweat dripped from his brow and his eyes were crinkled with anxiety. He heaved a sigh and ran his other hand down his face, eyes drifting to his wife.

"The Prince is coming....."

My breath hitched, but he ignored it.

"We owe him money and we haven't paid it yet and he wants to talk to us about it, over a civilized dinner, the boys are getting ready and we need you to cook, but stay out of sight when he comes. Do you understand?"