Anaphase

Phase III

Lilith's Perspective

~

Peace abandoned me to braying, brash conversations on the bus home. None of them involved me of course, though I was quite sure I was the subject of them - and not in a flattering way. Usually this would offend me but today my mind was occupied on something else entirely.

I didn't miss the slight glint in the almond shape of my dull eyes, or the way my lips tugged on the right into the slightest of a smile.

It was stupid, I know. To think that someone of such a known status would even consider glancing my way.

I was nothing.

 But I couldn't deny the way that one shared glance made me forget everything. Is that what those heavily loved feel daily?

It was probably a mistake, just my mind telling me things. From what I've heard from hyperactive gossipers and Evelyn he's a jerk anyway. But still, I'd never been looked at that way...or looked at anyone that way.

"Look at her! Sitting all alone,'' snickered a girl a few rows ahead of me. The group gathered around her following suit spitting more acidic insults like hyena's.

I sighed and untucked my hair from behind my ear, letting it fall free to conceal my face. I pulled my hoodie sleeves halfway down my fingers and fiddled with my hands. Just like a child pulls under their covers to comfort themselves from the monsters under their beds, I hide beneath my hair and clothing...like a child.

Only my monsters under my bed roam freely like a shadow stuck on my heels. Aren't they supposed to only stay under there? Cheats.

I plugged my earphones in to 'Slow Life' by Grizzly bear, and drowned out the world for the remainder of the drive home.

------

"Oh you're home are you? C'mere," came Paul's brittle voice from the living room.

As I cautiously approached the figure on the armchair, the smell of cigarettes and alcohol embraced me like a disease being forced into my nostrils. It was so unbearable I had to switch to breathing through my mouth. You would think after living with such a father for a few years now I'd grown accustomed to it. I decided long ago my thoughts were unreliable.

"Well what are you doing just s-s-tanding there hm? ye-your either in or out stupid girl," he slurred. "Get me another beer then stay to your room you hear me?" His authoritative voice boomed off the walls frightening me. His empty bottle fell out of his hand and rolled around the sticky floor in a semi circle before clinking with others.

Darting to the kitchen fridge, I quickly popped open the lid and poured some of the alcohol in the drain before diluting it with some water. He'd never notice in his drunk state. He may be the biggest complete failure of a father, and that anyone else would despise him, but he was still my father. As much as I suffered, I didn't want to give up hope. It was the only hope I had.

The moment I slid the bottle in his right hand, his left came up and struck me directly in the face. The blow blinded me for a split second before I regained myself on the floor. Tears already formed before I hustled to rid of the blurred vision. My eye started to water. This one would bruise.

Crawling away from his armchair I raised my arms in defence as I had what seemed like a million times before these past few months. Hesitantly, I peered through my fingers to see his head moping off to the side.  My heart was racing, adrenaline naturally building up. Was he falling asleep?! Are you kidding me?!

 "Just like her," he grunted in a drunken slur. 

I didn't stick around to find out.

Bolting and locking my door, I crumpled to my bedroom floor defeated.
My heart raced out of proportion but my body felt numb and frizzy.

I held my sleeve to my right eye that felt as if it were throbbing. I couldn't be sure whether the tears that followed came from the blow or something else altogether.


                                                                                                    ~

Demitri's Perspective

Pine trees and small hills whistled behind me for an evanescent as I soared through suburbs in my ice blue 911 Porsche. 

The last thing I wanted was to face everyone at home, especially Patrima. Guess I had no choice in the matter. Her erratic questions about school were inevitable. Best to stay in my base until the whole school fuss is over.

"Demetri!" sang Patrima as she danced towards me, barely having closed the garage door.

"Little Sister," I answered bluntly.

"How was your first day? Did you have fun? What was it like? What were they like? Did you make any friends? You didn't kill anyone did you?"

I rolled my eyes plainly for her to see and tried to push past her but she wouldn't get out of my face. She would just appear exactly where I would try to pass in a heartbeat with her impenetrable speed.

"Oh, I see. Did you see a cute girl?!" she pressed with her animated amusement.

"Let me pass Patrima for resurrections sake," I growled.

She mocked fear before fleeing away. A year younger but a whole lifetime bothersome.

I had barely taken four steps before Elouise called me from the kitchen. Can a guy not just go mope in his room about the joys of high school?

A familiar warm and welcoming smile greeted me as I ambled in. She was leaning against the counter behind a large bowl of fries accompanied by mushroom sauce. Bless her. Mushroom sauce, my weakness.

Ditching my bag and lunging into an island stool, I began demolishing the fries.

"Eat with your mouth closed son," Mum commented softly. "How was your first day? Anything interesting happen?"

As much as I wanted to ignore her I couldn't. Elouise was the one person in this world who I was comfortable enough to let a few of my walls down with. She didn't possess a unique gift like the rest of us, but if it were any, it would be her love and care for anyone she encountered.

"School's school,'' I replied.

Sighing, she continued "You have to give it a chance Demetri. You have to give people a chance. I know this isn't easy but-" she sighed before continuing. "We are so lucky so don't abuse your blessings son. Make some friends and you better be respecting your teachers. Alright Hon?" she concluded.

"yeah," I answered. "I'll try" 

Sure. Maybe I'll achieve the impossible and actually make a real companion who actually cares for me and not whats in our bank account. Not to mention one who isn't scared of my last name.

Nobody understands my family's 'situation' which is exactly why I prefer homeschool. Nobody knows about us.
It's a lonely life. But it's a safe life. We're hidden this way. If our secret was to get out...
"Are you cold? You're shivering," mum said.
"I'm fine. Just a uhh"
"Complication?" She giggled.

"You could say that."

AN//

New Chapter 6PM!

Will give more information on Demitri's Familys 'Situation' in Phase IV!