Unforgivable Lacerations

Chapter Forty-Nine

More flashbacks and secrets revealed in this chapter, so don't think I accidentally put this in the wrong place where it should have been many chapters back. 

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The cold breeze that entered my room slapped me in the face until my eyes snapped open, instantly alert and searching for any indication of danger. I was merely greeted with the shaded floor of under the bed and white vapor from my lips that emphasised the bitterness in my Fork's bedroom. I had returned to Forks, which was obvious, especially from the blood handprints on the walls- which was colored a dark brown, as the blood dried- and the shattered glass from both the vase and cracked lightbulb. The latter had been my punishment for talking when not spoken to, as Jacob deemed it an appropriate punishment for a lightbulb to be slammed into to my head, and shards digging into my scalp excruciatingly.

The dull rays of the morning sunlight peeked through the paneled window, creating the gray morning dew that I had once loathed. That wasn't what my mind raced to, though. No, it was my hesitancy that Jacob may be above me on the bed that forced me to freeze for a mere second, like a deer in headlights.

After a literal second, I craned my neck unnaturally to the bed above me from my residence on the cold wooden floor; I was expecting to see the monster lying on the pristine white sheets fast asleep with his mouth open and drool slipping out.

But instead...the white sheets held no occupant, only ruffled, twisted and pushed to the end of the bed, showing that there once was a beast there but not anymore.

I was beyond astonished that Jacob hadn't woken me up, kicking me in my side where my skin was still tender from the previous night's beating. Normally, I would be first to wake and forced to make breakfast for when Jacob woke. But not today.

Naturally, this put me on edge.

Whenever something that was out of our routine happened, it was never good for me. A slick drip of cold sweat slid down my neck.

Wincing as my fingers gripped onto the wooden bedframe beside me to help me to my feet, I steadied myself as the harsh air surrounding me had made my body numb. Or was it from the delayed shock of last night? Either way, I tightened my hand around the bedpost as if it was my lifeline.

Shaking my head, scrunching up my toes in my thin socks and wrapping my frail arms around my delicate torso, I made a move to the stairs. All the while, I listened to the eerie silence, every noise that was produced outside the walls of the house made me jump as it sounded louder than it would normally.

My gut feeling shouted at me to stay in my room, to clean up, and wait for Jacob as if I was his escort. However, I knew that when Jacob returned and I had done nothing productive, I would be subjected to his punishment. As if being in a game of tug of war, I opted to travel downstairs, all the while knowing it was a grave mistake.

I nearly fell down the stairs when the heating jumped to life, making the boiler grumble. I contained my terrified whine and slapped my hand to my heart in shock. Two monitored breaths later, I continued my trek, careful with my footing. Uselessly, I poked my head around the banister to check if Jacob or any of the pack were here, babysitting me. Silence.

I didn't feel alone, though. It was a feeling similar to someone who believed their house was haunted. Someone was wordlessly watching- more intent and with purpose than any other time. I continued to look around me, through the rooms, up the stairs, until I stopped at the mouth of the stairs.

My respiration was still similar to that of a dragon, as the gray substance exited my nose with quick puffs.

Uneasy.