Shadows || #Wattys2016

2

C A R A

"Since the classes are currently being renovated, we have set up a few mini classes somewhere in the school. Please meet your regular teachers for the temporary schedules." The principal said, his hands on both sides of the podium.

I waited patiently as the students popped up from their seats and walked over to their teachers, a long line forming around the small booths. Teachers handed students small folders then forced them off back to their seats.

"Are you going to get your schedule?" West asks me, the same smile dancing on his pink lips.

He was a bundle of light, shiny flashy lights. I shook my head at his question causing him to raise one of his eyebrows in confusion.

I hadn't uttered a word to somebody besides him in years. West was the first person to acknowledge me, speak to me. Making me speak back without harsh demands.

"I reckon you don't speak a lot, huh?" He asks, a small chuckle escaping his lips. I shake my head and push another lock of hair behind my ear.

"Well, Cara. It shall be my goal to have you speak an entire sentence." He vowed, placing one of his feet on the steel chairs, his hands in fists on his hips.

My lips press up into a line and I nod my head slowly, my bruises pulsing. His emotions drops and he sits back on the chair, his hand covering mine, making me flinch. Darkness filling my eyes and slowly fading away as I realized he wouldn't hurt me.

"C'mon Cara." He budged, making me sigh quietly. "I know your name. There must be more to you. Reasons."

"You know, I think we could be friends. Teach each other things." I didn't understand what he was reaching for, there was nothing to learn from me.

"But, I'll see you Cara, best of luck. And smile?" He removes his hands and steps away towards one of the booths.

I sigh, feeling my shadow wrap around me at the loss of his lightning presence. He had vowed to make me speak an entire sentence, good luck mate.

* ~ * ~ *

"Alright, class is dismissed." One of my teachers said, dismissing the class.

A few seconds later the school bell rings, signifying the school day was over. It hasn't been an extremely bad day, but it was about to get worst. If I wasn't home by three o'clock sharp, the consequences were endless.

I would much rather him not care for me at all- didn't waste his precious time on me. I couldn't work either to get away, places would never accept me for my lack of social experience.

"Cara!" The only person who knew my name shouted.

I didn't stop walking like in those fictional novels, I kept going. His voices didn't stop, they chased after me.

"Cara! Wait!" He shouted once more, finally reaching me.

He was a pretty fast runner I might say, but it tended to mix with my slow walking abilities.

"Hey." He says, taking a large breath.

I nudge my head at him as a small, hello, and continued walking. "You're still holding up your 'no-speaking' guard, huh?"

I didn't respond -as per usual- and kept walking, I had a rough twenty minutes to get home and I couldn't waste any of it socializing. I wasn't a large multitasking person, that didn't help.

"How about we go get ice cream?" He asks me, making the darkness swallow me.

"How about we go get ice cream?" Daddy asked.

I grinned at him, "Yes please, daddy."

The memories of my father were wedged in my brain. The times when he was a nice, caring father. But now they've all been crushed. One of the reasons why I didn't want to interact with people is because of my haunting memories.

As the darkness faded I took a small, quiet gasp for air. He looks at me, a bit of worry coaxed over his hazel eyes.

I shake my head and my feet start to pick up the pace. He calls out for me but I keep running, I knew I was late. It hadn't been twenty minute but I needed to be home by three, he wouldn't be happy if he found I was talking with somebody rather than obeying his rules.

There was no way this would end well for me.

I ran down the sidewalk, down the path to my house. It was on the quieter parts of town, not to far out. But far enough for no-one to catch him.

I stuck my key into the doorknob and twisted the door open. I gasp as I see him standing right in the door, a miniature knife in his hands. He raised an eyebrow at me and I gulped.

"Hello." I croaked, deeply intimidated.

"I recall school ended more than five minutes ago. Why are you home so late?" He asks, stepping up to me, making me pressed up on our door.

My breathing gets hitched within my throat and he traces lines on my clothed body with the knife, adding a bit of pressure.

He removes the knife and I slug down, he grabs the doorknob and slams the door shut, making the skin behind my ankle scrape and I fall onto the wooden floors, tears sting my eyes and he runs the knife over my back.

"Don't disobey me, hon." His words were daunting, he kicks me on the side of my back, "You were lucky enough to be raised by me."

My cheek was pressed up on the floor and I could feel the tears roll down my cold cheek. The other flowed over my nose and down onto my other eye, hitting the floor in a puddle.

"Now, you shall be punished."

_____

[vote & comment

what're you thinking about this so far? West is making an effort t get her to talk. Yes, her father is abusive if you haven't got that in the previous scenes. :)]