Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 1

WARNING! Some content throughout this story may be offensive/uncomfortable for some readers. 

Chapter 1

Annabelle's POV

*8 years old*

I hear the front door slam shut down stairs and decide to go investigate.

Dad was already home but is always in the lounge room, I don't know what he spends his time doing but I'm not allowed downstairs after 3pm, they say I get in the way.

Mum could be home but it seems too early, I take a look at the clock on the wall beside me, 12am. Yep, way too early, she usually gets home at 4am most mornings.

I've asked before why she's always out late but she said that work takes a long time to finish and to stop asking questions. So I did, I haven't asked since. I don’t want to upset her, or make dad angry... he can yell a lot when he gets angry.

I peek around the corner and down the stairs, letting my curiosity get the better of me.

It was mum. I catch my parents in the middle of a conversation. Not being able to see, I creep down some of the steps quietly.

"Here baby, it wasn't a busy night but I got enough cash." My mother whispers quietly, while sitting on dads lap and handing him a small bundle of money.

"It'll be enough." Dad mumbles as he looks at the money with disinterest. He opens the draw next to him and throws it in there lazily.

He's about to close it again when mum quickly stops him. 

"Come on baby, we have money to get more. I need it. Please?" She says pleadingly.

What does she want?

Dad looks annoyed. "We only have two." He sighs.

"I'll go down to the corner and meet Oz in the morning."

Dad shrugs his shoulders. "Fine but don't come complaining to me when you get jumpy in a few hours."

Oh this makes no sense...

She smirks as dad grabs a needle from the draw and takes hold of her wrist roughly. He straps on a rubber band to the top of her arm tightly and slaps opposite her elbow, where the veins would be.

Soon after he jabs the needle in her arm and squeezes the stuff into her. I flinch nervously, that looked like it hurt but she doesn’t seem to mind, so I guess it’s okay.

Mum seems happier now. Almost like she's in a daze. She sinks deeper into dads lap and looks around the room in wonder.

I creep back up the stairs and walk into my room, totally unnoticed. Snuggling under my covers, I have hundreds of questions rolling in my mind but one I knew was going to bug me the most.

What was in that needle?

****

*10 years old*

I'm sprinting down the street as fast as I can, trying my hardest to avoid the cars and people getting in my way.

I can't believe I'm late! That stupid science teacher is going to get me in so much trouble. My parents don't like it when I'm out of my room past 3 but since my school finishes at 3, I can usually make it home ten minutes late and only get yelled at a little.