Another Lantern Disappears

This is just a short story I wrote in my English class, so I thought I would put it up here. It's not very long, but I have considered elaborating on it, so let me know what you think!

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When I was younger I had a wall of lanterns that were there to show me through life. As years went on, many of those lights faded until they disappeared and there was only a few left to light my way. But it’s those few lanterns that keep me strong, give me a reason to keep going, because I know they will guide me through whatever comes next.

　

One of those lanterns, one that is long gone; was my father. Although he died a long time ago, I try to remember the short time we had together, the time before he passed and my mother found a new husband, Peter. A twisted man who manipulates people, and has eyes like a charcoal fire that burn in the bottom of a deep, dark well.

　

People often wonder why it is that I talk so horribly of this man. But I could never work up the courage to expose him for the evil thing he did to me that day.

September 14th 2007. That day is permanently etched into my brain like it’s been written in permanent marker. That’s the day I found out his darkest secret.

　

I was only nine years old at the time. I was searching for something in Mum's room, when I came across a sheet of paper under her bed. It was labelled "Police Report 27450" and had many long words, too difficult for nine years old me. Some words I understood were "man, kill, ocean, wife, body, dump". I started to get the gist of what the report was about, a man killed his wife and dumped her body in the ocean. I was confused as to why this report was under my mother’s bed, until I saw it. At the bottom of the report was the words" if this man is seen, report to police immediately" followed by a picture of my stepfather.

　

"MUM!" I had screeched at the top of my lungs.

"I’m coming Monique" she had replied, not sounding worried at all.

　

I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face when I showed her. I think she read it over three times, the whole time, preserving that look of sheer terror. She decided she had no choice but to go to the police.

　

Subconsciously, I reached up my hand, brushing my strawberry blonde hair out of my face, and traced the scar that ran down the side of my cheek, its deep gash an everlasting reminder of that dreaded day. Another thing so clear, yet so terribly stuck in my mind for the remainder of my life. My mother thought it was best if I stayed home while she went and talked to the police. Oh how I wish I had gone with mum. For not even five minutes after she left, Peter returned home, demanding why my mother wasn’t home. I tried to hide the truth from him, but he saw right through me. When he discovered where my mum went, and why, he straight away took it out on me. Luckily soon the police arrived and arrested him. The court sentenced him to eight years at the Brisbane Correctional Centre in Wacol.

　

I constantly try to forget that horrible moment in my life, but all I have to do is look in the mirror, at the wicked thing on my face. After that day I found it hard to trust my mother, as if she may leave me again and I will be hurt. Just another lantern that has been blown out of my life. Even if there was no scar there and I was somehow able to forget about his evil soul, it would only be a temporary.

　

For tomorrow his eight years is up, and he will return.