LIVING WITH THE DEVIL; part one.

                                                                          LIVING WITH THE DEVIL.

                                                                            Part one; Goodbye dad.

My life usually consisted of the same, usual routine. For school days I'd wake up at the very exact time everyday, 7:00am. Then I would get everything ready such as school books, fill my empty stomach with cereal and then leave the house to enjoy 6 whole hours of misery at Anbrelle Academy. On weekends, I like to journey to a whole different world, in a book. Unless I finished the book, then I would waste some precious hours on television.

At the moment, I share a house with my father. Actually, he's the only person that I share the house with. I don't have the opportunity of having the company of a younger sibling. Or a mother. Well, I used to 3 years ago. She passed away when she was involved in a car crash. The thought that I could've saved her is unbearable. If I offered to go shops instead of her, she would've of still been here. That always haunts me, but I really can't dwell on the past, what's done is done. The only thing I can do right now is wait until it's my time and then I can enjoy heaven with her for eternity. But for now, I have to manage life without her.

My dad is 34 years of age and only had one true love and girlfriend, mum. I cannot describe in words how devastated he was when he found out the terrible news of her death. He would occasionally go out to the park sometimes alone to get some fresh air. But the truth is that he would go out there to smoke, or drink. I discovered the packets and bottles crushed under his mattress when I was cleaning the house.

Life was normal, I had just returned from another awful day at Anbrelle Academy and was prepared to make myself a cheese sandwich to devour. It was then that I hear my father galloping down the stairs like an overgrown horse.

'Lia! Lia! Great news.' He declared, not giving me one clue on what the great news was.

When he had eventually reached the last step, he grabbed a hold of my shoulders and stared at me. I could notice the little shimmer of glee in his eyes, this was defiantly going to be great news.

'Here sit down.' He said as he followed me into the living room.

'So dad, what's the great news?'

I ripped the straw covered in plastic on my Caprison. My mouth felt like the desert, dry and humid. I longed to feel the cool drink in my mouth, relieving my pain.

'Well, you see how I used to work in the army when I was 18. They've recruited me, for 2 years.'

The straw in my mouth fell as I dropped my drink. How exactly is this great news? I won't be seeing my dad for 2 whole years, yet he looks like he's just won the lottery.

'Here's the great news. They're willing to give me 85,000 pounds every year!' He shrieked like a little girl whom just found that the doll she was dying to own was just bought by her mother.

Although, I cannot deny this is a huge amount of money. It could really help us a lot. We live in a council flat at the moment, which is in a dire need of re-decorating. But still, two years? He then read the expression on my face, he's very quick at these kind of things. He could tell anytime I'm happy or sad. Apparently, when I'm upset my eye colour turns into a chocolaty brown, however when I'm happy, they're a hazel green.

'Oh, don't worry honey. I'll be able to visit you for a day every month. But I will call you each day, I promise.' He said, with a voice that was so soothing that I thought this was just a bedtime story.

I didn't want him to go. I require his closeness and warmth, whenever he goes out to the park I always worry. It feels like a bit of my heart is tearing every kilometre he takes away from me. And this is the army we're talking about. It's a very dangerous n and it would literally kill me inside to know that he might be killed any day without me knowing. I've already lost my mother, which has already torn my heart to shreds. It was my dad that picked up all the pieces and taped it all together again.

'Dad. I don't want you to go. Where am I supposed to live? I can't stay by myself.'

'Amelia. This is going to change our lives. And 2 years will be gone before you even know it. Just imagine what we can do with the money. I will be sending you to my best-friends house. He is willing to welcome you into his home and I know I can trust him with anything. If there are any problems, call me and I will come back for you.' He said, trying his best to sound reassuring and calm.

I knew I had to let him go. But, I'm glad that he's leaving me in the hands of Steve Hawthorn. He's a very loyal and dear friend of my dad. When he heard of the incident with my mum, he was the one that bought us food every week and drove me to school. My dad usually depends on him, and I'm just so happy that he has such a friend. I've never been to Steve's house because he lives miles away, but he always comes around to check on us. I know that he has a loving wife, Sarah and a recently bought dog named Benjie, and that's about it.

'Alright Dad. Go.' I said, holding back the many tears that wished to escape from my eyes.

As soon as I said this, he jumped up enthusiastically with happiness written across his heart. I then realised this was something he probably wanted to do since along time ago.