Remembered

Chapter Four

Anthony (High School, 17 years old)

Colin had a doctor's appointment this morning so I had to ride the bus. I chose a seat in the middle and read a book. That cheerleader and her friend got on. I ignored them. The ride was quite nice until Kurt the quarterback decided to open his mouth. I knew this would happen so I just let it. There was no use in fighting. I tried. I almost got suspended for it. After Kurt finally stopped talking, the rest of bus didn't speak. I continued to read my book. I wasn't going to let a school bully get me down. I already had my pride stomped on this morning.

Keith decided to call me on the bus before Kurt bothered me and it wasn't pleasant. He wanted to know if Ellie had known what was going with me. I told him no. How could she? I hadn't spoken to a soul about it. Mainly because I couldn't believe it myself. Colin of course knew all about this. That wouldn't change anything.

My classes blurred together. At lunch I sat at one of the only empty tables I could find. It was near the cheerleaders. I was freaking out about Keith's phone call. What was he going to do to me when I got home? I knew he didn't believe me. He never believed anything I said. The new rumor had already made its way back to me by lunch. I did my best to keep it together. Sadly this one was true. Keith had only adopted me because he felt bad. At least that is what he told me when I was twelve.

I had been in foster care since I was nine. My godfather died in a car accident. I was injured pretty badly. I didn't remember my parents. The foster care people told me they died when I was four in a house fire. I also lost my older brother and sister. Colin was the only person I had left. He knew everything that had happened to me and chose to stick around. I would forever be grateful for that.

After school, I texted Keith seeing if he would pick me up since it was pouring down rain. He said he was at a meeting and I needed to walk home. That cheerleader was standing out there holding her umbrella. She offered me a spot underneath it. I politely declined her offer. I knew her mother was on her way and she hated me. Whose parent wouldn't? Even though I was one of the smartest kids in the whole school, I didn't play a sport. Hell I wasn't involved with any extracurricular activities and I didn't have a job. That was Keith's way of making sure I had a terrible life. I wished I knew what I had to upset him so much to make  my life a living nightmare.

When I finally got home, I was soaked. I stripped off my wet clothes and threw them into my hamper. I changed into a pair of jeans and a shirt. Keith would be back in about an hour. I did my homework. Once I was finished I started preparing dinner. Keith would be beyond upset if there wasn't any food on the table when he came home.

I heard the front door slam as Keith barreled his way to the kitchen. A lump grew in my throat. I felt dizzy. He was going to hurt me again. I turned off the stove and plated his dinner. He sat down and ate. I lost my appetite the moment I heard his car pull into the driveway. After he finished, I put away the leftovers and washed the dishes, I scurried back to my room. I was terrified.

Two hours later, Keith was banging on my door. He was cussing and calling me every name in the book. I sank to my knees. There was no use in fighting him anymore. If he wanted to kill me, I was going to let him. He flung the door open and kicked me in the ribs. I howled in pain. He pulled me up by my shirt's collar and preceded to punch me. I saw little dots. Maybe he would finish this little torture stunt and I would finally be able to rest peacefully. That was wishful thinking.

"I told you not to tell anyone!" He yelled.

"I didn't." I told him.

"That family knows. They know everything. They are going to tell other people." He smacked me.

"Keith. I have no idea who you are talking about. I'm serious." I whispered.

That wasn't what he wanted to hear. He continued to kick and punch me. Soon enough I blacked out from all of it. I drifted off to a sleepless slumber. I had a dream. It wasn't the forest one, this one was more real somehow.

Italy 1572
The crew were sleeping as I headed to the main deck. Soon we would find that island. Local legend said there was an island east of Italy called Rengoku. It was Japanese for Purgatory. There were reports that gold was there. The monarchy wanted my men and I to find it and bring it back with us. They had no clue that someone else had wanted the gold too. I saw another ship heading in the same direction as I was. If I had know who was on that ship, I would of never agreed to join this quest.