365 Days At The Swings

Tess

(Hi! Normally this would be in Leo's POV, but I felt like I had to write one about Tess you know? Keep in mind, this story will play an important part later on c;)

 ((Sensitive issues are about to come up, so be warned))

10 years ago

"Who is she?"

"I don't even know what you are talking about."

"The woman! The fucking slut you been with over the past month!"

 Tess could hear her parents fighting from her room, heck anyone could hear them. It was like a daily routine. Sometimes she would lean against the thin walls, trying to make out their constant bickering. She understood about half of it, but most of the time it was confusing. She did know what slut meant;  her friend Alexandra, bouncy red head and green eyes, taught her everything she should know.

 "Renee, let's settle this down like adults, we have a - "

"Don't you Renee me Ronald, I am tired of getting screwed over."

"She's just an old friend Renee."

"That's the oldest trick in the book."

 After that  it went silent. It was quite odd, seeing they were midway through an argument. This caused Tess to worry. Her parents would argue, but she knew they loved her. After each argument one of them would usually come over to her room.  Telling her everything was going to be alright, Mommy and Daddy was just talking.

 But everything changed;  the moment she heard the glass drop onto the floor.

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 "Mommy? Daddy? Are you out there?"

Tess said with hesitation, scrambling to get out of her bedroom.

"Mommy...?"

Tess mumbled once more, but that's when she stopped and stared at the sight of her two parents. Her mother was now  washing the dishes, awhile her father remained at ease, watching TV. It was as if nothing have ever happened.

"Daddy...?"

She repeated once more, staring  at her father. She has never seen him this calm. Which sent a caution to her brain. Something was wrong.

"What fell on the floor?"

She asked, awhile clasping her hands together, waiting for an answer. Instead of her father answering in response, it was her mother who pipes up.

"Nothing sweetie, but you should pack soon; we are going on a trip."

Her mother said, turning to face Tess.

 Once her mother turned, Tess knew right away that she wasn't washing the dishes, instead, she was washing her bloody hands.  The raw blood was still oozing out of her knuckles, the sight of it was enough to make you want to throw up. And the rest of her hands  was purple, puffed up, looking like a balloon that was on the brink of deflation.

"Mommy? What happened?!"

"Nothing Tess, Mama just dropped a glass bottle, nothing to worry about."

"B-ut."

"No buts, now, just pack everything you want to bring to the trip okay? We won't be home for awhile."

 Next Day

"Tess, baby, wake up it's time to go."

Tess's mother whispered, awhile leaning against Tess's bed.  The small child  yawned as a response making an effort to seem awake.