Beyond The Fence

2

I walked downstairs to see if my brother Bennett was ready to go to work. By my surprise my parents were both sitting at the tiny kitchen table. Usually they didn't wake up until later because Bennett and I like to get ready first. We also don't have the best relationship with our parents since two years ago our little sister Hope died when she was only eight. They've just never recovered and my brother and I have been keeping this family fed and clothed for two years now. They had a real problem but never seemed to want any help. They wore the same distraught expressions today as the day my sister passed from disease. My mothers dark icy eyes that were almost too faded to look blue and tightly knotted elastic hair with a few strands of brown and silver popping out. My father's distant and creased face with shaggy hair covering his eyes. Finally my father looked up at me with his sad eyes and mouthed two words.

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"What do you mean they're leaving! They can't leave for better work they couldn't even keep themselves clean without help!" Bennett screamed. "Keep your voice down I don't want the whole neighborhood knowing our family is messed up." At that moment I saw the girl who was sitting by the fence earlier sprint by. She was crouching down behind some vegetables and I could finally see her face clearly. She was about my age, fifteen and she wore a baggy black shirt with black pants that had many pockets in them. She obviously encountered a few obstacles because of the scratches on her face and a few rips in her shirt. Bennett seemed to notice her too from the curious expression on his face. He looked over at me and raised an eyebrow. "Should we go over and talk to her?" He asked. Answering his own question he slowly started walking towards her. She was facing the other way and didn't seem to notice me or my brother. When my brother tapped her shoulder she cursed and quickly turned around with a makeshift knife in hand. "Don't move or I'll stab." she yelled at my brother. To both of mine and the girls surprise he started laughing.