Chapter 3: Where I am now

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Life has never been kind to us. We grew up in an abusive home where we feared for the life of myself and my brother. Our mother was killed when we were young, but we were always told that she had left us. My father was a killer. He killed five women and tried to kill a sixth. His first victim was our mother. The rest soon followed: Carol Hanaway, Elizabeth Michaels, Jordan Caine, Taylor Miles, and Sarah Miller. Five names that will forever haunt my mind. I could have saved those women, but I wished upon a black star. I hoped for the return of the father I knew as a small child. He never came back. He was always gone. I was just too blind to see that.

I'm not blind anymore. I know what horrors the world can hold. Terrible stories are no longer for campfires. They haunt my every thought. I'm stuck in a world of darkness. My only escape is my eleven year old brother.

My life changed all those years ago and continued to change as time passed. The only stability in my life was Michael. It all started with a death and it all ended with a death. First my mother passed. Next came the abuse. The hatred of all life came next. Soon followed by the suicidal thoughts. I held on. I held on to Michael. Michael ended the pain. Michael made me whole. He is my family.

Life looked up after my father died. I got past the custody war. I got jobs to support us. I bought us a home and got Michael into a good school. I made friends with a little old lady. And now I go to therapy. All for Michael.

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I paced the floor of the kitchen as the eggs cooked on the stove. My stomach was doing flips as I thought about today. Today's the day I read the wills of our departed family. I don't want to go, but what other choice do I have? Michael and I are the only ones left in our blood line.

A loud pop snapped me out of my thoughts.

I quickly walked back over to the stove and lifted the eggs unto the spatula, transferring them over to an empty plate. The toast shot up out of the toaster. I glided across the kitchen floor with ease and familiarity. After buttering the toast, I dropped the slices unto the plate and moved to the coffee maker. The small device beeped just as I moved in front of it and I removed my steaming beverage. I shut off all the kitchen appliances and sat down at the kitchen island.

Michael walked out of his room, his dirty blond was in it's typical sloppy bed head style. He dropped his bag unto the floor and hopped onto the stool beside me. He was wearing a pair of tan cargo shorts and a button up. His blue and black checkered button up shirt was unbuttoned with a simple gray t shirt underneath it. He pushed his sleeves up to his elbows as he picked up his fork to start eating. Ah the joys of picture day...

I leaned over and filled Michael's glass with orange juice. He looked over at me and smiled his thanks. I sat the carton of juice back unto the counter and started to eat my food as well. I couldn't believe that Michael was in sixth grade now. My mind wandered back to when he was barely walking. A smile filled my face and I laughed as I swatted Michael's hand away from my plate. "What are you doing?" I chuckled as he withdrew his hand.

Michael smirked and snatched one of my slices of toast. He laughed triumphantly and took a bite of the bread before I could grab it back. "Mine now." He stated, his mouth full of bread.

I rolled my eyes and poked him with my fork. "Fine, I didn't want it anyways." I laughed.

We finished up our breakfast and I picked up our plates. Michael stood up and took the dishes from me. "Nah, I got it." He told me as he moved to the sink to rinse off the plates and cups.

"Why thank you, sir." I replied, picking up the carton of juice. I slid to the refrigerator and placed the juice inside. "You ready to go?"

Michael lifted his bag up off of the floor and slung it onto his shoulder. "Yeah." I smiled at the sound of his voice. It has gotten deeper the past few days, man he is growing up so fast. "Are we going or not?" Michael laughed as he walked past me.

"Oh hush up you." I retorted as I followed behind him as he exited the apartment.

We entered into the hallway and were greeted by our sweet, little lady neighbor. "Have a good day, guys." She greeted us with a kind smile and we smiled in return.

"You too, Mary." I replied to her.

Michael gave her a hug and she held his shoulders as she inspected him. "Now, what are you looking all handsome for?"

Michael blushed and gave her his goofy grin. "Today is picture day."

"Ah. Well you are going to have one lovely picture, lad." Mary said sweetly.

Michael ran his hand through his sloppy hair and laughed. "Thanks."

Mary stepped away and patted his shoulder. "Get out of here, you two, have fun." She gave me a little wink and walked into her apartment.

I led Michael out of our apartment building and he ran over to his bus stop, since the bus was already pulling up. He spun around just before he got onto the bus and sent me a quick wave. I waved back and watched as the bus pulled away from the curb and back into the street. "Be safe..." I muttered to myself as I slid unto my Ducati. It had taken me a long time to save up for this bike, and I had to buy it used as well. It was a gift to myself after the custody battle.

I placed my burnt orange helmet, that matched my bike, unto my head. I put the key into the ignition and started up the bike, smiling at how smooth it ran. I pulled away from the sidewalk slowly, merging into the traffic. Just another day heading to work.

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Hey you crazy readers you :) Hope you are enjoying this story so far. I hope to keep a steady posting pace but that may be hard with school and all that. I'm sure you know how it is. Comment and Vote my lovelies. :) Follow me and I follow back :)

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