Unfinished Business

Chapter 1

I tried to pay attention to the teacher but it was hard when half of the class was staring unabashedly at me. I had another incident and they seemed to think that was further reason for my insanity. Of course, I know I'm not insane, but they don't. They don't believe me when I say what I saw. They don't believe me when I say I stared death in the face.

But it happened.

When I was 6, someone broke into my families house and brutally murdered my parents. I hid in my closet and by a miracle he didn't see me. But he did see my parents and now their gone.

When the bell rings I sling my book bag over my shoulder and start leaving to go home. As I'm leaving the class someone grabs my shoulder and I jump a little and turn around my eyes wild. Sara, my classmate rolls her eyes and says that I left my paper on my desk. I take it from her and turn around quickly hoping no one could see the embarrassment in my eyes.

I hear Sara whisper to Janelle, "What a freak,". Janelle then laughs and they push past me. I squint my eyes at them, they are just mean girls. Unfortunately, I have to deal with a lot of mean girls. I really wish they could except me, I have been their school mate for almost 7 years now. I am still an outsider though.

I push those desperate thoughts aside and focus on my main mission. Becoming invisible. I stare at my feet and start walking to my uncles house. He found me after what happened and Uncle Jim and Aunt Reine took me in. They are wonderful aunts and uncles, but aren't parents to me.

I can't see how my mom and uncle Jim were siblings. My mother was always so loving and hardworking, but the past few years uncle Jim has started drinking and being snippy. He has started treating me as if I am a pesky fly that won't leave him alone. He is always saying 'get your grades up! You can't wear that to school! Why can't you be more like Lacey?' I appreciate what their doing for me, don't get me wrong. But they won't let me be myself and are always pushing me. I'm not a bad kid, but I am not always a good one either. Sometimes I act up, and sometimes argue, but I never do it to cause waves. I do it because I'm frustrated.

I'm frustrated because I keep on thinking that he is trying to find me. To hurt me. To kill me.

I shake my head to free myself of those thoughts. The therapist says I need to stop thinking so much. Im safe I say in my head. I push through the doors of the school and a cool autumn breeze hits my face. I breath in the sweet air and close my eyes for a second and imagine playing in fallen leaves. I imagine playing tag with friends. I imagine skipping down the pavement without a worry. I open my eyes and focus on my reality.

I am parentless girl with no friends. No one really cares about me. I don't have the luxury of not worrying. I need to be home in five minutes or I'll be sorry.

My eyes widen and I start bolting, not caring about the judging eyes of my peers following me. I turn on the block and run into a neighborhood. I run across lawns and backyards and dart into the woods. I keep running even though I am wheezing and am dripping with sweat. I trip over a tree root and fall on my face.

I moan and drag myself up. "Ugh, I really need to get in shape," I mutter grabbing my cramping side. I scan the trees around me and think I see a figure standing a bit away. I stiffen and look closer and realize it's just a tree limb. I heave a sigh of relief, turning around. Suddenly I'm face to face with a kid from my school.

Instinctively I pull my fist back, ready to fight. I have done enough cowering in my life. He puts hit hands up and turns his face away from me grimacing. I drop my arm and scowl at him.

"What are you doing?" I hiss. He turns towards me and raises his eyebrows.

"Nothing, I was walking home when I saw you trip. I came to see if you were ok and you nearly knocked me in the face. What are you doing?" He asked looking me up in down. I step back from him, still unsure.

Bad idea. I tripped over the same root that got me the first time. Luckily, the kid grabs my arm and pulls me up before I can fall. I blush and brush off the dirt from my first fall.

"Uh, thanks." I mumble looking to my feet. I start shuffling past him but he grabs my arm.

"You didn't answer my question,"

"I'm going home." I say jerking my arm away.
He looks confused but says nothing. Eventually he asks why I was running but I ignore him. I turn around and start trudging home.

"Your welcome by the way," he says. I roll my eyes, people here are so nosy.
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When I get into our house Aunt Reine is standing waiting for me. She takes in my flushed face and scraped knees. Sighing she asks, "Camille, where on earth have you been? You were supposed to be here 5 minutes ago! And why are you so dirty?" I, not in the mood to fight, shrug my shoulders and start walking up to my room. She puts her arms out and gives me a warning look.

"Camille, your already on thin ice. And I got another email from your teacher. You had another freak out?" She demanded. I nod meekly and looking up to see her reaction. She seemed disgusted.

Immediately feeling defensive and tried to explain, "We were reading a novel, and the main character lost their parents too. I tried to explain I didn't want to read it, but, as always they didn't care. So, and note I didn't mean to, I accidentally relived what happened. I can't help what-"

"Camille you are always giving excuses! Get over it! That's what everyone does, ignore your demons, and continue life! What don't you understand about that?" Aunt Reine bursts. She is usually pretty even tempered, but now she was shaking with rage. She has tears in her eyes.

Oh.

She must be thinking about something that happened to her.

I swallow and nod, Aunt Reine hasn't had the best life either. She grew up in the ghetto and some stuff went down. She seems to be thinking about her childhood a lot lately and so am I. But I don't know why I am having for fits and can't stop thinking depressing thoughts. For multiple years I could repress those memories and carry on with life. I sigh, defeated and start walking up the stairs. I look behind me and see Aunt Reine running her fingers through her hair.

Turning back around I notice Lacey standing at the top of the stairs, witnessing the whole episode. Lacey gives me a pout and starts walking away to her room. My blood bubbles with hate for Lacey, she is such a brat.

I stomp into my room, letting the tears fall from my face. I close the door behind me and collapse on my bed. Then I start to have flashbacks of the night.

A few hours later I find myself in my closet cradling myself, sobbing and whispering no. I wipe my swollen cheeks and stand up. I walk out of the closet and go to my bathroom and wash my face off. When I stand up I see him again. I jump up and blink and then he's gone.
I start breathing heavily and scour every part of my bathroom. Nothing.

Heaving a sigh I walk out of my bathroom and see a letter on my dresser. I grab it and start reading.

I'm coming.
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Thanks for reading my first chapter! I know their kinda short, sorry about that. I hope you enjoyed it, please comment if you have any questions or stuff like that.
Im working on making a second chapter (hopefully longer). Thanks!!!!