Take Me Away

Chapter 4

  "What the hell?!?"

  "Aurick?  What's wrong, Agra?"  Grandma and Agar both barreled into my room after hearing the distress in my voice.  Grandma is smart but Agar is dog smart. 

  Agar is a three year old chocolate and white spaniel.  Instead of getting a car for my sixteenth birthday, I got a puppy.  He's big for his breed, and as smart as any human.  He knows various commands and has an extensive vocabulary.  We take him everywhere with us.    

  I whip around showing off my arms.  There were dark purple, almost black, bruises covering the entirety of them.  These were fresh and looked as if I had the shit beaten out of me.  Or even pinched out of me.

  "Where did you get those?"

  "I have no idea!  I woke up with these!  I slept all night.  There's no way I did this to myself!"

  Grandma looked thoughtful.  "Do they hurt?"

  "No, not really.  They just look completely horrible."

  "Well keep an eye on them.  If they get worse we'll have to go in to town.  I have breakfast ready, come down when you're done putting yourself together."

  I waved her away looking back to my mysterious bruises.  I've always bruised easily.  My doctor just said that I became restless in my sleep and white possibly did them to myself.  At least they were positioned so I could easily hide them under a jacket at least.  If the weather warmed up too much beyond the norm I'd be in trouble. 

  Grabbing my favorite bottle green jacket, I slip it on over my tank top and head into the bathroom to do my makeup.  I definitely don't go all out every day, but because I'm so fair, I have a lot of redness in the morning.  A little cover up goes a loooong way.  Today I'm feeling a little frisky so I put on a little mascara also.

  Smells of bacon and pancakes pull me out of the bathroom before I can do any more.  My stomach growls hungrily in response.  Now that I think of it, I don't recall eating dinner last night.  We did get back late I suppose.  No big deal. 

  Doing my best not to trip over Agar, who was weaving in and out of my feet, I made my way down to the kitchen.  My favorite toppings were already waiting for me: peanut butter and bananas.  Making myself a big plate I sit down, after treating Agar to some bacon of course.  Taking a big bite I immediately feel regret.  What normally tastes heavenly makes me nauseous and I start gagging.  Running over to the garbage I spit out the bite of pancake and turn to the sink to rinse my mouth out.

  "How are the pancakes, Storeen?  I made them with cinnamon just the way you like them."

  I give a groan, "I think I might have the flu or something.  I took a bite and almost got sick."

  Grandma came over and felt my forehead.  "You don't feel warm.  Do you wanna go lay down?"

  "I just woke up and there's too much for me to do and see than be stuck in bed all day.  I don't feel sick now, only when I tried eating.  Maybe I'll just wait for lunch.  By then my stomach should be feeling better."

  "Hmm...okay, just don't push yourself too hard.  I need to go out for a while and I'll have my cell on me.  Call if you need anything, but if you can't reach me, call Patrick.  He should be home for most of the day.  If you go out take Agar with you."

  "Alright, ill be careful. See you later grandma."

  She gave me a nod, grabbed her purse, and was gone.  Now what to do?  My stomach was still feeling a little upset.  No way was I going to try eating again.  A nap does kinda sound good...I guess a few hours couldn't hurt.