Shattered

The Little Shack in the Woods

"Emily? honey wake up.." I could feel that Cara was sitting next to me on the bed. My eyes opened and focused on her. What time was it?
I looked at the clock. It was only 4:30 in the morning.
"What?" I asked, clearly annoyed that she had woken me up at this hour.
"You were having a nightmare and kept screaming." She informed me, looking worried.
"Oh." I did remember having a strange dream.
"Are you feeling ok?" she asked placing a hand to my forehead.
I shrugged.
"I guess so." It wasn't entirely true. I was starting to panic from my nightmare, but I wouldn't let her know.
"Can I stay here? I'm a little worried about you," she said softly.
I nodded and she turned off the light and laid next to me.
"Em, you're my best friend. It doesn't matter that were a few years apart. Were closer than family. I'm always going to be here for you." she said as she wrapper an arm around me.
"Thanks.." I managed to give a small smile and closed my eyes and drifted off back to sleep with no problems.

Later that morning, Cara was at work and it was just Ryan and I.
I stepped outside to have a cigarette.
"Those things will kill you, you know."
He said as he leaned in the doorway, eating a candy bar.
"And those will make you fat. What's your point?"
He shrugged.
"I'm just sayin'," he smiled. "As an officer of the law I'm supposed to watch out for citizens, just doing my job. But really, those are horrible for you and you'll die sooner than later if you keep at it."
"Yeah. well maybe I'd rather die sooner than later," I told him as I crushed the end of my cig into the ground with my shoe.
He frowned as I got my purse and headed down the street.
"Let me drive you, it will be much safer." he offered.
"No thank you, Ryan. A little adventure never hurt anyone." I walked down the street. I hadn't explored this place yet and I needed to, otherwise I was going to go insane. Maybe even more than I already was.

I walked into the small convenience store I had been at when Ryan picked me up previously, and looked around at all the food. My stomach growled and I grabbed some coffee, a bear claw, and another pack of cigarettes.
I handed the cashier what money I had, took the change and walked out of the store.
"Hi little mama," came a voice from behind me.
"Wanna have some fun?"
"Don't even bother. " I sniped and clicked open my pepper spray and turned around.
"Aww come on baby, a lil lovin never hurt anyone," the man cooed creepily and reached out to touch my face. I punched him in the face, sprayed him in the eyes and walked off.
"Stupid fucker," I snarled and kept walking into the direction of the city.
I passed by more shops, listening to the sounds of cars rolling by and the laughter of happy children.
"Ugh gross," I cringed as a little boy with chocolate on his face chased a helpless puppy and tackled it.

Later, I was sitting on a tree stump having a cigarette when a group of guys passed by. I clutched my pepper spray.
One of the guys stopped and looked at me.
"Emily?"
It was Adrian , my friend from New York. He was tall, medium build, and had a mohawk. He was a punk.
"Oh my God. Adrian!" I smiled.
"What are you doing here?" he smiled and hugged me.
"Ran away, staying with Cara," I explained before taking a drag off my cig.
He nodded.
"Yeah after you split I was worried about you. I'm real sorry about what happened to your parents," he said quietly.
"What do you mean?" I asked curiously.
"They died. In the house fire. Don't you remember?" he frowned.
"I guess not," I shrugged.
"Maybe you blocked it out because it was so bad..." He said as he sat next to me on the grass.
I gave a fake laugh.
"Or maybe I don't remember such unimportant things," I sneered.
"They were your parents, Emily. I know they were harsh, but--"
I cut him off.
"Harsh? No. They were just twisted people. Harsh is spending the night outside in the rain freezing your ass off. They locked me in the closet and beat me until I passed out an then told the cops I had accidents, that I was clumsy. They were not my family!" I stood up and paced in a small circle.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's fine!" I snapped.
He looked at me with his puppy eyes.
"Wanna come hang out with us? We know a cool place to hang," he offered.
I sighed.
"I guess."
"Besides we've got something you'll like."
"Better not be talking about sex," I shot a look at the other two guys.
He chuckled.
"Only if you're up for it, and only I get you. Those two rats can go find some hookers or something," he joked.
I smiled.
"Alright." we headed off and it was getting dark now.
I texted Ryan and told him I wouldn't be home for a while.
"Ok be safe." was his reply.

We headed south and followed a trail into a secluded area where a small shack stood amongst a few trees.
"Welcome to our hang out," one of the guys said.
"You have a club house?" I snorted.
"Hey, hey don't be jealous! You know you want one too." Adrian chuckled.
We walked inside and I saw a small love seat, card table, two chairs, mini fridge, shelf and TV.
"How do you get electricity out here?" I asked as I examined the outlets.
"Same way anybody would. We run the wires along street poles and hook up to other people's houses. Also how we get cable." He smiled.
"I don't think that's what normal people do..." I laughed & sat on the couch.
He pulled a bag out from underneath one of the cushions and shook it.
Damien, his friend, pulled out a pipe and lighter.
"Aw dude! Score!" I beamed. Max, the other guy who barely spoke, packed the bowl.
"Guests always get the first toke." Damien bowed and handed me the equipment.
I smiled, put the pipe to my lips, lit the green and inhaled. The smoke swirled through the chamber beautifully, like a dance, and into my lungs.
After another toke, I passed it to Max, who took 5 and passed it to Damien, then to Adrian.
We sat on the couch watching Jersey Shore.
"She makes me hard," Damien said, talking about Snooki.
"Oh gross! She makes me want to throw up." I chimed in, hitting him with a pillow.
Max got up and wandered outside. He has been gone for a minute before Adrian noticed and on his command Damien got up to go find him.
Adrian turned to me and blinked.
"Emily I've missed you so much. I thought maybe... you were gone for good after the accident." he said wearing a disturbed expression.
"I'm right here." and smiled.
He leaned in and kissed me on the lips softly.
"I love you..." he whispered.