Evils ✓

Chapter IV

I sat down on the cold hard ground. The stone was infested with ants. I didn't bother laying my cloak underneath myself to fend them off- I was used to it by now. I was tapping the stones lightly with my freely wiggling toes while my mother prepped herself for the day. I knew she was ready to shun me for my mishap. That was never like me. Why was I led outside in my vision? And why am I getting these ideas now?

"Penelope, are you there?!?"

I yelped, scared at the sudden harshness in her voice awakening me out of my thoughts.

"Don't doze off on me again young lady!"

I let out a deep breath, licked my lips, and replied: "Don't be so rude to me again old lady."

She stomped to face me just an inch away and swiped her palm across my face.
"I can't afford a medic for you if you get hurt, but you deserve this. This isn't like you. What is going on Penny? I'm here to listen, you know that."

I started crying. Sobbing. Tears pouring out of my eyes, soaking my entire body. My mother sat to my side and embraced me. I felt the warmth of her body against mine, and felt relieved.

"I'm sorry for what I did, dear. Can you tell me why you're acting differently?"

It took a minute for me to reset.

"I'm growing up mom." I forced out.

I started shaking, suddenly feeling frozen. I ran to my quilts and cuddled them.
My mom slowly made her way out of the tent, on her way to the grocery store, but as the rich call it, the dumpster.

I stood still, gazing at the opening. Then, I shifted downwards and twitched my eyes, trying to close them.

They shut.