Nightmares Alive

Joshua

"Oh, that man? It's because of a contract I signed. Besides, I've never liked him," she admitted.

"Oh."

"Sorry sweetie, but it's my job."

There was dead silence around us except for the sloshing of sewer water around my beat up tennis shoes.

"Can I ask you another question?"

Clearly starting to get annoyed by me, she said, "Fine, whatever."

I was quiet for a moment. "Why are we running away from those guys?"

"Who, the men with the guns? That hurt you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well when you say it like that, it sounds like a silly question."

"It is. But anyway, what did they say they were going to do back there? Why were you in the bed?"

"They said something about helping me."

"With what, dearie?"

I wasn't sure what to answer. I can't straight up tell her about my so called 'talent'.

"It's nothing, really."

"Oh, so seeing into the future isn't a talent? I think that's a pure gift!"

"How did you find out?"

"Where I figured out should not and will not concern you," Darla commanded.

"Ugh! Why can't anyone answer my questions?"

Darla looked up at me, smirked, then looked back down at the ground to watch her footing.

"So why are we running away from those men?"

"It's a long story, Sarah."

"I think we have time. So spill."

Darla sighed. "OK. So when I was 9 years old, I was in the foster care system. My mother was an alcoholic and never cared for me. She used me almost as a slave. While she had me sweep and vacuum and do dishes and do "mother chores", she would sit around, drinking and smoking and watching shows like Once Upon a Time and stuff. Actually, Once Upon a Time was a good show, but I couldn't watch too much or I would get caught.

"Anyway, I was used as a slave for too long. I called my relatives and friends but they didn't care. So I called the police and long story short, Mom was punished with a 5 year sentence. At the time, my father was dead so that left no one to care for me. The state put me in foster care. Which sucked, but was better than home.

"Well, I had 9 years until I could get out of the foster system since I am technically an adult when I am 18. When I was 15, around your age, just a day after my birthday, I was told that there was someone who wanted me. I got so excited! I pictured the stereotypical family and couldn't wait to finally have someone who loved me.

"I guess I got way too excited. Someone by the name of Joshua signed the adoption papers, saying that there was a loving, caring family right back at his home. NOPE! I walked into his dump of a house to find his brothers, Chuck and Bernie."

"CHUCK AND BERNIE?" I yelled.

"Shh! Yes, legally, Chuck and Bernie are my stupid uncles."

"Then who is your dad, Joshua?"

Darla lowered her head.

"Joshua is the man I shot."