Anaphase

Phase IV

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Lilith's Perspective

Two years ago, without warning, my mother left. Leaving only a message on the landline that she no longer wanted anything to do with us. A mother who I needed and loved abandoned my life over a phone call.

Not only did I lose one parent, but two that day. When she left with the sunset she tore all the good in my father right out of his soul. Now all he does when he gets home from work is drink. Dad's in a supposedly 'secret agency' he won't tell me about. He claims that he's trying to get promoted high enough that he can use the advanced facilities that he could search for mum with but I could care less. In the first few weeks in his unshaven state, I believed him. But lately, it seems as if he just lumbers down to a pub every day. It didn't matter where he got his money from because the next minute he would spend it on alcohol and discounted foods a day past expiry.

The old Dad I knew would never drink a drop of alcohol. Maybe on special occasions would Mum and Dad sip on a glass of wine. Dad was so loving before, so protective. I loved him with all my heart, a complete Daddy's girl. Now all that's left is pain and utter remorse. I was so betrayed when he fell out and left me to fight my battles all on my own like a knight leaving his little princess to slay the dragon with nothing but a stick. Did I forget the fact that he's gone violent now too? Only of recent but the bruises inside and out I knew would last forever.

It was simple really. I was a ghost. In my home, at school and in my own clothes. Always hiding and always afraid. A constant invisible shadow.

Speaking of shadows, the contoured deep set hole under my eyes looked beyond concealer. A result of restlessly crying last night no doubt. Staring in the mirror I definitely looked like a ghost. I tried my best to conceal the unsurprising bruise. Suppose I should be grateful that my natural chestnut brown skin made the eye bags less visible than if I was pale.

Halfway through brushing my teeth and washing my face I could feel the lump in my throat form. Painful memories and toxic thoughts cut through my mind lashing at my heart. It didn't take long before I was on my bathroom floor having another breakdown. I held onto my chest and stomach waiting out the sobs. The vast emptiness that seemed to come from my heart felt raw and exposed inside. As if all the happiness in it poured down my face in tears leaving me more numb.

I wish someone understood me. I wish I belonged. But I was just a ghost.

Demitri's Perspective

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Sighing heavily, I claimed the far left seat in the History lecture theatre. This lesson would no doubt be as boring as listening to a 80-year-old elderly lady rave on about each and every one of her cats.

The theatre was quickly filled with only a few seats left. Every time someone tall tried to sit in front of me I'd stare them down. As much as I'd rather be anywhere else I wasn't about to stare at some guys head for an hour.

Moments later the room fell silent with our full attention to the impatient teacher out front. Just as he began his presentation a girl walked in late. Seeing that his back was to the audience she skulked up the stairs trying to find an empty seat.

It was that girl from yesterday on the field. The memory came at once of the visions and attacks as I regarded her curiously.

Under her curtain of hair concealing her face and smooth brown skin, her shadowed eyes looked puffy and sleepless. She wore a simple brown buttoned V-neck long sleeve and navy jeans, like something thrown together last minute. Deciding that the seat in front of me was the only available seat closest to the stairs she made her way up. I didn't take my eyes off her the whole time. She seemed so innocent and fragile.