The Fallen Ones

Chapter Two: Skarlet POV

Terror is filling me increasingly rising as he stares into my eyes. I swallow back tears and look at the girl beside him. Looking at the ground, obviously uncomfortable and scared.

I look back at him. He notices my gaze at her and gives me a look of confusion. For her sake, I speak to him in a hushed tone. "If you're gonna kill me, please don't do it in front of her. She's only a kid." I still sound like a robot. The monotone like voice that makes me seem almost relaxed.

His grin turns into a wicked smile that seemed to go straight through my eyes and into my soul. Chills run down my back. "I'm not gonna kill you. I just don't like being lied to."

"Lied to? How did I lie to you. I don't know you."

"Well you're obviously not 'fine'" his grip around my waist hardens. He pushes his thumb into a stab I've been hide from acouple days ago. After a fight with father. I close my eyes. Do not show emotion. Do. Not. Show. Emotion.

He must have noticed my pain anyway. His grip got tighter. I bite my lip. I'm not gonna cry in front of a stranger. I can feel his eyes on me. He forces his thumb harder and faster into my stomach and my eyes shoot open. I collapse and he gasps catching me. I can't believe it. I caved.

A frown replaces his playful grin. He pulls my head up lightly and I panic. I close my eyes again. Don't let him see your fear. Rule number 7. Rule number 7!

"What are you hiding?" He whispers. Obviously unsure on how to react to what just happened. He moves his hand towards the edge of my shirt. Attempting to pull it up and see what hurt me. On instinct, I punch him in the jaw. He only falls back about a foot but it was still enough to run. I hear the girl scream and aid to the mans side.

Now.

I bolt for my house. I don't hear footsteps following me. I relax. Until I realize I'm right outside my house. Terror fills me as I reach for the door. But the door jerks open and I look up to an angered, terrifying face. Rule number nine: never-no matter what-be late. I gulp.

"You're late."

"I'm sorry I-"

"Rule number nine: never-no matter what-be late. No excuses."

"Father I-"

"No excuses!" He picks me up by my shirt and throws me inside. Pain sears up my body as I land on my side. He reaches to shut the door but my eyes drift to outside. The guy was leaning against the tree in our front yard. Even though he looked my age, his eyes held the terrified look of a hurt 5 year old. Maybe I'm not the only one with a secret...

The door shut. My attention now on my father. I have to focus.

"Get up!" He screams yanking me up by my arm. I gained balance but lost it quickly as he slams me against the wall. I choke on a sob and stare at his fist as he curls it into a ball. A tear rolls down my cheek and his face turns red. "Rule number one: never cry. Crying is a sign of weakness. And I did not raise you to be weak!" Stars fly across my vision as his fist slams into my cheek. I cripple to the ground. Fooling myself by thinking he may be done. "GET. UP!" His voice thunders through the house.

I try standing up but fall. "I'm sorry fa-", the door bell rang.

"Go upstairs! Clean yourself up you stupid failure. We'll finish this later."

I make my way up the stairs, listening for a familiar voice at the door. But the voice I heard nearly sent me back down the steps. It was him.

"Hi!" He spoke cheerfully. "My names Elliot. I go to school with Skarlet. I hate to intrude on anything..." his voice lingers. "but I'm on my way to a Halloween party and was wondering if she could come?"