The Deep Dark Stone Path

Chapter 22 - *James*

I groan when I wake up with the sun in my eyes. I shouldn't have stayed up so late talking with Dalilahs dad. I basically told him all about my family and why I'm staying with him. He encouraged me to at least go visit my dad. I said I would sometime soon. I get up and throw on a red t-shirt and some faded jeans and sneakers. I go downstairs and make a ton of French toast. I make everyones plates and drinks. I go to everyone's room and wake them up, telling them to come get their little plate of heaven. They all stumble down the stairs and chow down before I have even come downstairs. Mr. Daniels eats his quickly and then kisses each of his kids on the cheek. He gives me a pat on the back and a 'thank you for the food' before leaving for work. I smile wide. I love it here. All the kids finish up and go to their rooms to get dressed. I take Dalilah her breakfast. I get up the stairs and stop outside her door to see if she is up. I am about to knock when I hear voices. I walk in and Dalilah is standing there dressed and smiling. I ask "Who were you talking to?" She looks confused and says, "No one." I shrug and shake the thought out of my head. It was probably coming from one of the other kids rooms. I hand her her food. She sits down and begins to eat it. Then I tell her something I really don't want to do. "I have to go to my house today and straighten out things with my dad. I will be back by noon." After that I kiss her and head out the door. Within ten minutes I'm at my house. I look at it and can't seem to imagine that this is where I was born and raised. I go to knock on the door but realize I live here so there's no point. I twist the knob and walk in. The house looks worse. Even more bottles than usual litter the entire room. The t.v. is gone, but I figured that. I go to my room and see that it is trashed. I check my brothers room and see that it is still as clean as always. I sigh and gather somethings from my brothers room and then go back to my room and get the rest of my irreplaceables. I almost walk out of the house but then I remember the real reason as to why I am here. I slowly open the door to my parents room and peer in. I see my dad laying on the bed asleep. Fury surges through me as I glare at him. I remember all the beatings and arguments and bruises. I can't believe someone sleeping so peaceful could be so cruel. The door creaks and he wakes up startled. He looks at me and says, "James? Is that you? What are you doing? Where have you been?" Oh my gosh he's sober. I stutter, "Y-Yeah it's me. I-I've been staying with a friend from. I just wanted to let you know I'm fine and safe. Also I wanted to get some more of my things." His face scrunches up and he snarls, "Why are you getting your things. Your my son. You are going to stay here!" At this point he is shouting and is up and out of bed. I grab my bag and run out the door and in the opposite direction of Dalilahs house. I don't want him to have any clue as to where I am. I run all the way around the lake and through the woods. I stumble over roots and brambles. Then I hear whimpering, but keep running. I look back, but don't see anything, and I trip over something huge and furry. I scoot away from it and glance at it in the dim light. It looks like a big dog or a....wolf? "Why are you whimpering, buddy?" I say out loud. It whimpers again and I roll it over. There is a piece of glass stuck in its leg. I rub its back and say, "Its okay I'm going to help you." I pull the glass out and it yelps. I rip off a piece of my shirt and tie it around the wolf's leg to stop the bleeding. I pick it up and head towards home. Half an hour later I am outside Dalilah's house. I walk up to my room, without anyone seeing me, as it is past their bed time. I set the canine on my bedroom floor. I go to Dalilah's room and say, "I found a wolf in the woods. It is injured and scared. Its in my room. Help it." That's all I can get out before I collapse on her bed, exhausted.