Camp Guerre

Chapter 5

"Hey, baby. I'd like you to meet the Clarks" she said, as sweetly as ever. Anger bubbled inside me at her words but I pushed it down, knowing that this time it'd be worse than just being grounded for a month and having my laptop taken away. I mean, if it was that strict just for talking back to the lady next door, I couldn't imagine what she'd do if I ruined her precious dinner.

"Andrew, Cole, Jessica, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Autumn." my foster mother, Dian, indicated towards me, pulling a fake smile although her eyes told me a different story. I looked to the three 'Clarks' and held out my hand, hiding my annoyance. I knew I'd be punished so bad if I didn't act hospitably enough. Jessica, or Mrs. Clark as I knew I'd have to call her, held my hand first. Her grip was soft as she shook it, a genuine smile on her face. She was a short but thin woman, with slowly greying hair although the burning fire of life in her eyes proved to me she wasn't too old. She was wearing a crisp grey suit over a purple button-down shirt, and small black heels enclosed her feet. She let go of my hand and I saw her nudge her son, Cole. He almost rolled his eyes at her, but reached over and gripped my hand instead, shaking it firmly. His dirty blonde hair gave off a surfer dude kind of vibe, as did his khaki pants and shirt. Last was the dad, Mr. Clark. He was nothing like his family as he shook my hand quickly, but roughly. His mouth was set in a hard frown and his eyes looked as if they were trying to investigate everything about me, my foster parents and the room we were in. He wore a pristine Black suit and posh black shoes to finish it off.

"Come, come, sit" Dian ushered them over to the table that was set very extravagantly, with platters of food ready to be eaten. I almost groaned at how much Dian and Paul were trying to impress the 'Clarks', but instead I sat down on my seat, earning a glare from Dian. Oh yeah, no sitting before the guests. Cole followed in suit, his mouth practically hanging open from the food that was set, and the parents sat thereafter.

"So Autumn, how's school?" Mrs. Clark piped up breaking the awkward silence, "You go to Kenmoore high, correct"

"Yes" I answered as politely as I could, although Dian didn't seem to realise this and was staring me down angrily. She was being so rude, at least I was trying. The sudden urge to annoy her rose and I forgot about what the consequences would be, "and it's good. Only 17 detentions this week" I smiled as if that was a good thing. Mrs and Mr Clark looked shocked at my reply, and even Cole was looking a bit surprised.

"Well..." Mrs. Clark started. It seemed she was having a hard time understanding what I said.

"Whatsoever for, dear?" she finished off. I smirked, perfect.

"Ah, well I turned all the clocks forward five hours, I put fake poo all over the toilets, I changed the male and female changing room signs whilst people were changing, I poured chocolate over the headmaster, I gave 4 kids wedgies because they were looking at me, I stuffed ice-cream down my English teachers shirt, I-"

"Stop!" Dian interrupted me. I was sure that if she was a cartoon she'd have steam coming out from her ears. "Autumn is lying, aren't you, sweetheart?" she half sneered, half cooed. I wanted to laugh, but instead I looked at her innocently, replying "but mum, you always told us not to lie to guests... if I said I didn't do any of this then I'd be lying"

Dian looked furious at my response, and it looked as if she'd blow if I said another word. I had taken it this far, I wasn't going to leave it at that.

"And, besides, I haven't told them how I announced the food fight in the cafeteria and pulled the head's wig off"

Dian looked at me with pure rage, her eyes practically turning red.

"I think it's time you go upstairs, honey. I think you forgot to take your meds today" she said, still trying to keep her calm demeanour to impress the clarks. I nearly laughed at her, knowing that no matter what I did now, I'd get punished, so I might as well make the most of it. My hatred for Dian poured out as I said sweetly,

"Oh, you mean that white powder you gave me? Ah... What was it called? Coke, or something?" I raised an eyebrow at Dian, not bothering to care that she would practically kill me for this. When I was angry, I couldn't help but forget the consequences of my actions.

Dian fumed, and I turned to look at the Clarks, who looked a touch too fidgety. Cole reached for some of the food, but Mrs. Clark slapped his hand away, as if the food might be full of illegal drugs. Cole rolled his eyes at his mum, getting the gist.

"Dian, it was lovely meeting you, but I'm afraid we have to go. We have some... Business to do" Mrs Clark spoke, her voice full of worry and disgust. "Let's go, honey" she tapped Mr Clark, who had even sitting quietly, watching the conversation okay out. His face seemed devoid of emotion as he stood, leaving. Dian said sorry, making up lies about me and my 'condition' before waving the Clarks off with a tight smile.

As soon as I heard the door slam, I regretted what I had done.

Dian came barreling into the dining room, grabbing me by the hair and pulling me up the stairs, not even allowing me to try to step my way up. My head burnt like a thousand needles and I screamed, a stray tear escaping my eye. She ignored me, pulling even harder and dragging me to the room at the end of the hall. The torture room.

Within a minute, I was strapped into the stool that was drilled into the floor and Dian held her whip menacingly. It wasn't one she'd ever used before.

"Look at me" she commanded, and I didn't hesitate.

"This whip is new. I got it specially made for you" she crooned, "and guess what, Autumn?" She spat my name out like I was some sort of disease, "it has spikes in it"

At that point, she loosened it from her grip, letting the brown piece of leather cascade to the ground. I noticed silver protruding from every side, glinting under the dull lighting.

"Ah, how I'm going to enjoy this" she stated, not hesitating to bring the whip up and cause a scream to erupt from my throat. She whipped me over and over again, so bad that my back was practically just lines an holes of blood.

I was only 9.

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Thanks for reading! I'm so sorry to have not posted in so long, I just wasn't quite sure if I wanted to finish this. But you guys encouraged me with all your votes and comments, so thank you so much!

I also changed a few things up in the first few chapters and improved them :)

The pranks will come soon!

PHOTO OF AUGUSTUS^