The Things We Long To Be

Chapter 2

I open my eyes and as usual there is an enormous gathering of light in my room. My tattered, moldy curtains serve no purpose as you can practically see right through them. I turn over in bed and look towards the small basket I have holding Dayton's clothes. Rolling out of bed I pick up the flashlight from my old, unstable nightstand and click it on. I hear Dayton shift in his bed and I turn to stare as he rolls onto his right side. The bed shudders under him as he shifts and it's rusty springs fight to stay in place. I turn back to pluck a bundle of Dayton's clothes out of the basket before placing them neatly on the nightstand. I point the flashlight at the cheap watch on my wrist to check the time, 3:45 a.m. I turn and tiptoe out of the room, crossing the hallway while stealthily dodging the areas that creak loudly. I can still smell the smoke from last nights pack of cigarettes. My mother will most likely be out searching for men to sleep with so she can get more. I roll my eyes before lowering myself into the first step in the small staircase. I look up at the walls surrounding me, they are lined with holes as if they were punched. I continue to descend down the stairs, my foot rests on something soft and I hear a groan before I tumble down the rest of the stairs landing on my butt.
"What the hell?!" I whisper-shout before looking up to see my dad sitting straight up. His eyes are narrowed and a low grumble escapes from his throat. "What?" I hiss angrily, "Why were you napping on the stairs? Nevermind I know why. You're constantly too drunk to even make it up two stairs." I snarl once again hearing a low grumble come from him. "Did you numb your tongue with alcohol this time? Is that why you can't speak clearly? Get a life! I'm sick of you constantly ruining mine and Dayton's" I scold him. I can feel the anger rise in my throat and I watch him stumble to his feet as I easily climb to mine. He's taller then me though I've always been short. His eyes turn to slits as he roars and dashes forward headed for me. My eyes widen as he barrels towards me with fire in his eyes, I jump away and watch him spin around like a furious dog. He stomps towards me never pulling his gaze from mine, I stand boldly meeting the anger in his gaze. I continue to glare back at him, when he reaches me he laughs and turns away for a minute. I turn my head to search for Dayton's backpack before the blow reaches my face. Squealing in pain I fall in shock, my jaw throbs from where he'd hit me. He'd hit me... I'd seen him hit my mother but I'd never personally felt his wrath before. I climb to my feet using the wall for balance, he stares at me, laughter in his eyes. I meet his gaze with fury burning in my chest, I am a powder canon about to explode before I ball my fist up and swing. He's on the ground before I realize what I'd just done. He doesn't get up, I walk away and continue to search for Dayton's bag.

A/n: No clue how long I'll be up tonight but I do know that I'll most likely be writing. Now I like the first chapter better but this chapter definitely showed that Autumn will fight back if needed. She's got a strong heart and an attitude, I like it. XD