Yearbook

Chapter 3 ∆ Dalton Wallas

So I did what I said I was going to do and worked really hard and was able to crank out like 1000 words in an hour, so I have an update, yay!

This chapter was somewhat difficult for me to write for a few reasons, but I don't need to go in depth. Before you read, though, there are two things you should know:

1) You'll notice throughout the book that I asterisks rather than writing out full curse words. This is a personal thing - I do not personally condone nor feel comfortable with cursing, and neither do others in my family. However, in order to fully capture certain emotions of a troubled teenage boy, I have found it helpful to put them in.

Please, respect my beliefs, and I will respect yours.

2) Dalton has more dark characteristics than others in the book, and it can be tough to fully understand what he is going through when I myself have never experienced something anything like it. However, I've done my best to capture what he deals with through my writing.

Well, that's all I have to say for now, so I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

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“You useless whore!” James Wallas screamed before chucking the half-empty beer bottle that was in his hand at his wife. Tears were pouring down her face like rain during a hurricane and the wide gash on her arm from where she had been cut last week was opened and once again dripping blood. Madeline Wallas, who was 21 at the time, ducked quickly as the bottle whizzed past her and shattered against the wall that her back was facing. “Please…please…please…” she kept whimpering as she stood up shakily, her vision blurring slightly as she did so.

“I never should have married you, much less had a d*** kid with you. He’s a worthless piece of s*** too!” James growled, taking several angry steps towards his wife. A five year old Dalton cowered in the corner as he watched his trembling mother take several blows from his fuming dad. “Mommy!” He cried out in desperation as the woman he loved most fell to the floor, clutching her bleeding arm. James looked towards Dalton before approaching him slowly.

“You want to get in the middle of this, little boy? I don’t think so. Go to your room!” James growled gruffly.

Dalton didn’t move, which only further infuriated his father. Grabbing his wrist, he yanked the boy out of the corner. “You don’t want to? Fine!” He yelled before letting his bloody hand come in contact with Dalton’s cheek. Madeline’s sobs got louder as James raised his hand for another blow. “Lay one more hand on him and I swear to God I will call the cops!” She threatened frantically.

James stood still for a moment before dropping his son’s wrist and turning back towards Madeline. “You want to call the cops? Really?” He said as Madeline scrambled to her feet. “Keep your hands off my son.” She spat as she scrambled to her feet.

Without any further thought, James brutally brought one knee up to Madeline’s stomach. As she crumpled back down to the ground, her husband stormed away.

“Go to your room Dalton, please go to your room.” Madeline sobbed as she clutched her stomach. Dalton backed into the hallway with wide eyes.

Several hours later, Dalton was shaken from his sleeplike state by his mother. “Dalton, Dalton wake up. We’re leaving, wake up.” She whisper-yelled as Dalton slowly opened his eyes. “What?” The confused five year old asked. “We’re leaving.” His mother repeated, grabbing his hand lightly and pulling him upwards. “We have to go, be quiet.” She whispered.