Two Worlds Apart

Miut

"Silverlake Memorial Hospital please?" I asked the bus driver and handed in my fare.

I pulled down at the edge of my jersey, feeling conscious of how people could be judging. I murmured a thank you and took my ticket as soon as it was presented, picking my way to an empty seat which was like an extinct species at this time in the afternoon. As soon as I was settled, I felt my skin burn and I scratched it without noticing. I watched as the scenery flew past and put my earphones in, humming along to whatever was currently playing on my phone.

Time flew by and soon enough I was by my stop. I thanked the driver and got off, tucking my phone in my jean pocket. Dread began to grow as I came closer to the familiar setting. Passing an oak tree, I reached up to touch one of the leaves and tucked it in my art book, holding the book close to my chest. The familiar cream walls and red door came into view and I swallowed. Red to hide blood, I shivered as the thought crossed my head and pushed forward. The front door was open.

I walked in slowly, catching a glimpse of the picture frames on the wall. Most of them were of him and mom after they were just married. I stopped in front of a picture of mom and myself when I was a toddler. I remember her full of life, always busy with something in the garden or working hard to keep the house clean. She would always have a streak of mud somewhere on her clothes or smell like soap, her hazel eyes shining after she completed a task.

"I miss you." I whispered and thought back to the last day I saw her. I shook the images of her corpse out of my head, fighting back tears. Outside I heard a dog bark and listened for the sounds of my stepdad. He wasn't here.

I breathed a sigh of relief and headed upstairs to my room quickly, dumping my bag on the bed and dragging my art book out before starting on my latest project.

At exactly 19:09 the front door swung open.

I flinched as the door slammed shut and studied harder, carving the knowledge from the book onto my brain. The stomps echoed from the kitchen, then paused before climbing the stairs. I swallowed softly, feeling as if I was choking. My heart sped rapidly and a scream began to climb within myself. I just swallowed and tried to calm myself. It was no use to scream, it never was. The door squeaked as it was opened and I refused to tremble, every muscle in my body tensing.

"I expect the kitchen to be cleaned before you go to sleep. Understand?" A deep voice grumbled, almost indistinguishable from a growl.

"Yes sir." I managed not to shake. The door clicked shut and my body slacked in the chair, my breathing was harsh and I trembled harshly.

I sat there for 5 minutes trying to regain my composure but my hands were still shaking despite my breathing returning to normal and my heartrate as well. I thought that maybe I should go for a run to relax. I could aware of exactly where he was in the house and could hear what he was doing. Eating at the moment, then he'll watch TV then to bed at exactly 22:21. He'll start snoring at 22:30. I'll have to wait till then.

I studied until I could hear his snores, his even breathing and slowly got up with practised caution. I grabbed my army hoodie and opened the window, wincing when the window creaked. Instantly I froze and listened, my breathing kept as shallow as I could keep it. No movement, no shift of the bedding. Just snores drifting through the house.

I breathed a silent thank you and with practised precision, I jumped from the window sill to the nearest branch of the neighbouring oak tree. My body seemed to know just how far I needed to go to land on the balls of my feet. The branch trembled at the landing but held firm, I stayed rigid in place until I was sure that no one was around.

I was just about to scale down the tree when I caught two yellow eyes watching me from the roots of the tree. Mrs Kinston's black stray was watching me, her eyes hypnotically illuminated by the moonlight falling through the branches. I smiled and before I could think, I jumped from the branch and landed just metres from it. She tilted her head and purred, moving forward and nudging her head against my knee. I smiled and rubbed her head before stretching and jogging down the road until I came to the forestry.

I took a step back before making sure no one was around then slipped through the fence, a sigh of relief as I began to sprint to my sanctuary, the moonlight pushing me further into the welcoming wilderness.