The Stolen Girl

Fallen Roses - Part One

I paused before the front door, trying to catch my breath. I had taken a little too long in the woods with Rina, and I'm afraid Penelope might be suspicious, none the least, steaming mad. She already thought I was late enough. I clutched the flower bunch in my hand, hoping it would distract her.

Cautiously, I twisted the doorknob and stepped over the threshold, praying furiously that I'd be in the clear. I closed the door silently behind me and slipped out of my shoes.

I spun around and was greeted by the glares of the entire family. My stomach flipped uncomfortably and my shoulders suddenly felt very heavy. I rubbed my fingers together nervously and put my hands behind me, hoping no one would take notice of the dirt caked under my nails. I would be in major trouble if anyone found out I'd been running to the woods for refuge all my life, forget about just today.

I watched as Penelope's face turned bright red from the anger building up inside her. It was just itching to explode. Every line on her face was etched with menace. Her hands grasped the fabric on her pants tightly, and she seemed to be calculating the perfect insult to throw at me.

Papa, or Adrian as I call him behind his back, retained a more composed posture. His face told me everything. His teeth were clenched in controlled fury, and the corners of his mouth were turned down in disappointment. The middle of Adrian's cheeks were slightly sucked in, indicating vexation, and his eyes had narrowed into slits. There was definite suspicion masked under his rage.

My eyes glazed over Levi and Morry's expressions in hopes of comfort. They were more fearful than angry; I knew they were afraid of what was going to happen next. There was no limit when it came to my parents' punishments for me; nothing was ever deemed too unreasonable.

Trembling, I forced myself to stare directly into Penelope and then Adrian's eyes. I wasn't going to let them intimidate me any longer. I had been squashed like a bug under their boots for too long now, and I've had it up to here. I silently imagined myself stamping my foot and bringing the side of my palm sharply to my forehead to symbolize "here".  And the more I showed vulnerability, the more they would take advantage of me. However, I would have to choose my words carefully; if I acted in the same manner as my parents, there would remain no difference between us.

I waited for someone else to cut the tension troubling the air stubbornly. In reality, I hadn't done anything wrong, so I shouldn't have to justify myself.

Suddenly, Adrian's mouth shaped itself into a smirk, and pointing a chubby finger at me, he sprung up and shouted excitedly, "AHA! I knew you had a boyfriend! That's where you keep sneaking off to and that's exactly where you went today! To say bye to him! Well, you'll never see him again now, will you, missy?!" His whole body shook with malicious laughter as he mulled amusedly over my supposed farewell.

Penelope's jaw fell to the floor and she gasped, slapping both her hands on her mouth.

"Oh my goodness," she muttered under her breath. I rolled my eyes.

Boyfriend? Where did he even get that from?

Adrian stormed over to me and snatched the flowers I was covering behind my back, parading them joyfully in the air. "Look at these babies!" he exclaimed evilly, "all for Alisa! And she thought she could hide this doing from us." Adrian stared at me pointedly and grinned, crushing the stems of the roses viciously in his palm. The petals drooped sadly.

A wet streak ran down Morry's face, and I felt sorry for him. He couldn't take violence or any sort of cruelty; it pained his heart deeply. My poor, sweet brother.

Penelope on the other hand was miffed, and refused to take her gaze from the dying flowers. She was enchanted by all things pretty, like a baby drooling over a lollipop.