Perfect Imperfections

Chapter Four

"Azlyn what did I say about staying out?"
Uncle Damien was pacing the kitchen with his large head held inside his thick, dry hands.
"Azlyn!"
I stumbled into the house, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
"I'm sorry. I was-"
"You wasn't home before sun set. Do you know how dangerous that is?"
"You tell me every day"
I uttered silently.
Oh how I so desperately wanted to brag about my sly and daring escape from the double bats, but I knew that if I even hinted I had seen a gang, Uncle Damien would kill me.
"I'm sorry"
The words spilled from my mouth. I didn't want him to get really mad at me.
He had stopped pacing and was now leaning on the scratched up sideboard.
"I know you are. I'm just worried. I don't want anything to happen"
He breathed heavily, racing his hands through his sparse, grey hair. I could tell that he wasn't going to throw something at me like last time.
Looking around the kitchen, I didn't see any signs that Kala had been home. That must of added on to his stress.
Kala was my older sister. She was normally the better behaved out of us two, but tonight was an exception.
"Go to bed"
He ordered me sternly.
After a short nod I dropped the satchel by the make-shift door and headed upstairs then into my room.
I didn't have much, but how could I complain?
It's not like anyone would care, we were all broken.
Uncle Damien had made my bed and laid out fresh clothes. I quickly changed, it was cold and there was no curtains in our house.
Every night was the same routine. I would get changed into whatever Uncle Damien had left me, brush my tangled and grease-filled hair, lay in my wrecked but survivable bed and not get one single ounce of sleep.
Scenarios would pop into my mind whilst the chaos outside grew more unbearable.
What if my parents weren't accepted into the Queendom of Belisama?
I shook my head. They surely would of been killed by now. Who's to say they weren't already dead? I didn't know where they are, but wherever that may be, I wouldn't of even crossed their thoughts.
What if I was accepted into the Queendom of Belisama?
I wonder what it's like there. From the stories that Kala tells me; apparently it's bigger than here. It's acres and acres of fields and woodland. No pollution or foggy atmosphere. No crime or punishments. It sounded too good to be true.
What if I had grown up in a mixed society?
A world where people aren't separated because of status or background. Would I have met Uncle Damien? Or Kala?
If I had lived in a world like before, my life would be boring and plain. I would have to go to school, get a job, pay bills.
In this world, I was free to do whatever I pleased.
I couldn't even think of a world where this wasn't the reality.