These Demons Within Us

Chapter 1

"It's time to get up!"

I forcefully peel open my eyes revealing the vibrant rays of the sun spilling in the cracks of my drapes that cloak the window. I turn to my bed stand and read the clock: 8:46 A.M. Saturday.

"Come on Eva! Hurry up or we'll arrive later than we planned and that's gonna ruin our whole vacation plan! Lets go, let's go, let's go!", yells my mom just across the hallway. I heard her the first time loud and clear and definitely didn't want to hear it again.

I get up from the comfort of my bed, and start walking towards my pale green bathroom. I stare at myself on the stained mirror, still half asleep. My pale skin showing hues of pink in my cheeks and lips, my dark blue eyes looked like cerulean pools that contrast against my dark chestnut hair that falls In soft waves just below my shoulder. I never thought much about my appearance or looks because I really don't need nor care about the remarks of all the other idiotic human beings in this world. The cold water coming from the faucet wakes me up in a jolt. Why do I even have to come on this "family" trip if they aren't even my real family? I lazily start getting ready, wishing I was still asleep wrapped around in my bedsheets, dreaming. I throw on a pair of old blue jeans that I've had for years and a T-shirt that is stained with paint and charcoal, and turn to find my worn out sneakers, somewhere hiding from me. As soon as I find them, I quickly slip them on and follow the appetizing aroma of breakfast and head down the stairs where I find my stepmother, serving steaming pancakes on a plate accompanied by scrambled eggs and a glass of orange juice.

At the breakfast table, my dad, stepmom, and step sister are ranting frantically about the trip across the country. Our initial plan was to drive right through New Mexico, Texas, and other states until we reached the infinitely humid state of Florida. But since we are somewhat behind schedule, and they blame it on me, we have to change our route and drive through Colorado, And Kansas until we reach our destination. There was no time to spare. Everyone gulped down their food as if they were trying to eat it before it ran away. Except me. I sat there turning over a piece of egg and staring at my orange juice. No one seemed to noticed my absence of the mind, they never do. Immediately after breakfast, my dad started loading our bags in the timeworn faded red car of ours and within a couple of minutes, I get in the car to start our journey on the road of hell.

On the drive, I can't help but think about everything that has happened so far in my life. The divorce of my parents was harsh, especially because I was eleven. I didn't know any better and would always blame myself for this event and would bathe in guilt until I finally came to my senses. I realized the divorce wasn't my fault, how could it? My birth mother had deceived my father with his boss, and that's how I came to be.

I would hear the pounding of flesh and screams that cried in horror inside my parents bedroom. She would come downstairs with fresh bruises and the tiniest specks of blood would sometimes be spotted on their bed sheets. Both of them looked at me like I was some kind of mistake. I was a permanent reminder of my mother's shame and guilt. After the long years of torture and abuse, they finally decided to divorce. My mother got full custody of me and I would visit my father on the occasional basis. This was that occasional basis. I was visiting my father and his fresh new wife and her 12 year old daughter for half of my summer. I always dread this place, mostly because of the memory of all the harm and maltreatment he has done to my birth mother.

"Hey Evan, how is it like...you know...living in Washington?", asks a high pitched voice, interrupting my brutal thoughts and memories.

My eyes wander around as if the words to answer her are embedded in the air.

"Um...it's cold, and nice I guess. Lots of greenery everywhere. But you wouldn't like it Macey, I guarantee you that"

"Why not?" , she replies in a defensive manner and tone, "what makes you so sure I wouldn't like it up there?"

I lean my head back towards the old ripped up, blue head restraint barely attached to the seat and close my eyes, picturing the beautiful and vivid scenery of Washington state. "Because your just not the cold weather type of person. You like going to beach on hot sunny days, and living in one hundred degree weather where you start sweating the minute you take one step out the door. There is rarely anything like that up there. You'd be better off living here" I replied, still imagining life there.

"I suppose..." Macey answers quietly, looking down at the floor.

I pull out a pair of knotted white earbuds and plug it into my phone. I randomly choose a song that I like and close my eyes again, only this time falling in an immersed slumber.