Silence In The Trees

Chapter 8

Quick note- CAUTION!! A. This chapter will contain violence and B. THIS NOTE MIGHT SPOIL THIS CHAPTER FOR YOU I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS AFTER THE CHAPTER. Okay, this chapter is kind of short and doesn't really seem to go anywhere. I apologize for that but it was more of an intermission for the book. This will also give a small insight to what happened to Corrine's mother and sister. Hope you're enjoying this book so far.
Thanks for reading!
-Cate
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It's so easy to pretend like things aren't happening. It's so easy to push them into the back of our minds. It's easy to think that all those small things we did or didn't do don't really matter.

Who knew they really did? I've always thought of life as a massive chain reaction.

It could only take us three seconds to do or not do something that could end up affecting us years later. It feels a lot like walking on glass or egg shells.

Most people don't worry about these things, those people are the lucky people. I've spent a lot of time wondering what it would feel like to be able to do something without having to rethink it five times.

And when we start craving that sense of freedom to break away from our minds, we do whatever it takes to have it and we abuse it. We act on impulse.

I felt warm arms lifting me out of the car, and somewhere deep in my subconscious I knew it was Caden. Though in my half asleep state, my disorientation had gotten the better of me and I hadn't a clue what was happening.

I let myself drift back to sleep, back to whatever subconscious thoughts I was having while I felt myself being carried. No reason to wake up and face the reality of everything. I tried not to think of anything that could cause my nightmares, and I tried to tune out the drone of voices I was hearing.

Though, I did seem to pick up little pieces of the conversation. It sounded like a deep voiced man. He was telling Caden that there were no signs of break and entry, and the house was safe and clear.

Of course there wasn't break and entry. I didn't lock the door when I came home because I'm an idiot.

Deep inside, I knew this wasn't just regular break in. This person had targeted me. This person found joy in watching me squirm. Sadly, I was contributing to what they wanted very well.

Before I knew it, I was laying on the familiar sheets of my bed. I tried to pull them over me to get a feel for the warmth. I tried to close my eyes and sleep but every time, I was jolted awake.

Finally, I thought I'd drifted into a deep sleep, but I knew it was only a matter of time before everything took a darker turn. I subconsciously felt my hand grip a tight handful of my sheets, I felt the perspiration beading my forehead, and I felt the bile rising in my throat from fear.

That's when I watched in my very vivid dream, my mom being stabbed repeatedly. The look on her face, broken and hopeless. My little sister somehow broke out of my grasp to run to her.

I remember running to Amelie. My limbs couldn't go fast enough though, they felt like they were made of stone. I remember telling her to come back to me. My own voice sounded so wrong, like I heard it in third person. It was too late. The man had her in his grasp and I watched in horror as she looked me in the eyes.

"You're going to have to learn to forgive yourself for this. It's not your fault."

Her eyes never left my own. For a split second I wondered what the hell she meant, but I couldn't seem to even comprehend words. "No, no, don't, Please don't. Don't hurt her, no, God no." I was begging on my knees. I tried to get to her but I was so sluggish I could barley move, what was wrong with me? Why couldn't I Move? "Dad! Please someone help, God... no... please...."