Finding Home

Chapter 2

The man stumbled around the house in a drunken haze. Terrified, the boy hid. He was dangerous like this.

"Damien you little shit where are you?" He screamed then lifted the liquor to his lips. He stayed hidden in his closet, still sore from the beating from the night before. He heard the rumbling of the man desperately trying to find him as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"It's you or her", he yelled again. Damien quickly ran out to the man. He had to protect his sister. The man had a wicked smile on his face when he appeared.

"I knew you couldn't resist that" he slurred and took a swing at him, knocking him to the floor.
"Gonna get up?" He sneered. When Damien didn't move he kicked him.

"Get up!" He demanded kicking him again. Damien refused. The man pursued to continue to kick him as Damien cried out in pain.
"Get up!"

He woke up up with his heart pounding. Damien sat up and put his head in his hands. Breathing heavy he tried to fight back the tears. He looked to his side and saw his sister still asleep. Quietly he snuck out of the bed and went to the cab. He looked back at his sister then pulled out a flask from under the seat and took a swig. The vodka burned his throat, but it felt so good. He took another swig then slipped the flask back under the seat and went for a quick walk.

He stopped by a tree and sighed. Anger raced through him and started swinging at the tree. He growled with each punch. Stopping after a few more good hits he fell to the ground sobbing. He held his head in his hands, ignoring the stinging pain radiating through them.

Damien thought getting away from him would save them. But everyday and night he's haunted by his past. He was glad Charlie didn't remember anything. She doesn't need that pain. Nobody does.

Charlie woke up with a smile, unlike her brother. She rolled over to tell him about the dream she had but realized he was gone. In panic she jumped up and called out for him.

"Damien?!" God where is he? She thought and began to search for him. She kept calling out for him. Her anxiety starting to get the best of her. What if he left me? What if he's dead? Her mind raced as she thought the worse.

"Charlie?" She heard in a low husky voice. She darted her glance to the left of her and saw her brother stumbling onto his feet.

"Damien!" She said running over to him and hugged him tight. "What the hell? You scared the shit out of me!"

"I'm sorry I just went for a walk. Sorry to scare you" he apologized as he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head.

"Are you alright?" Charlie asked when she saw his damp cheeks, and bloodshot eyes. He looked like hell. "Don't lie to me. Something's wrong." Damien smiled at her concern and shook his head.

"Just had a nightmare. It just really shook me up" he replied hoping that was enough, but concern was still written all over her face.

"What was it about?"

"Someone just tried to take you away from me." He lied. He couldn't tell her the truth. He didn't want to spark any remembrance of her horrific past. Charlie frowned and hugged him again.

"I promise I won't go anywhere. It's us against the world" she reassured with a smile and kissed his cheek. "Besides I have you to protect me."

"Damn right you do!" Damien smiled shaking off his depressive state and put his arm around her shoulders. "Let's pack up and get back on the road?"

Charlie nodded, and they headed back to the truck. Together they put their blankets and pillows back in their bags, and picked up their trash before getting back on the road.

"There's was a truck stop a couple blocks down from Mc Donalds, if you want to stop and get cleaned up" Charlie suggested as they pulled away. Damien nodded. A shower could help clear his head.