Saving Haley

Chapter One: Saving Haley

        "Haley Ann Bennett," my mothers voice exploded through our small apartment, "Haley Ann Bennett get out here now!"

        I cringed at the sound of my mother using my full name. I slowly pushed my younger brother Carter and my younger sister Caitlyn into the closet and held my finger to my lips. Our signal to be very quiet. Then I made my way out into the living room.

        "Yes mother?" I questioned quietly, averting my eyes towards the floor.

        "How many times have I told you to be right here waiting when I got home?" Her voice came out venomous and her breath reeked of liquor.

        "Several times mother but.." I started before she quickly cut me off.

        "Save it," she said, "get your bratty little butt over here to receive your punishment."

        I rapidly made my way over to my mother and braced myself for the hits that were to come.

        "This one is for making me wait," she said as she raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

        I winced in pain from the hit but quickly prepared myself for the next. My mother got pleasure out of watching me cower so she struck my face again, and again, and again with her hand. Each hit got harder and harder until she took my throat in her hands and slammed me into the wall.

        "This all your fault," my mother seethed.

        I stared wide-eyed wondering where I ever went wrong. Her eyes were cold and trimmed in red. She laughed maniacally and dropped me making me tumble to the floor. She brought her foot back and kicked my rib cage causing a loud crack to sound through the room.

        "Go tell the twins to take a bath and get to bed," she said, "they can thank you for going to bed hungry tonight."

        I scurried off to the room avoiding my mothers angry glare. As soon as I entered the room I went straight to the closet to make sure the twins were safe. 

        "Carter? Caitlyn? Are you okay?" I asked through the door.

        The door gradually opened and I saw a small hand appear. Then four small hands and two small four year old faces peering up at me. A small whimper escaped Caitlyn's lips and Carter quickly pulled her into a hug.

        "Did mommy really mean we couldn't eat?" Carter questioned me.

        "Yes," I said with disappointment causing their faces to drop.

        "But I have a treat for you," I said quickly pulling out my last candy bar. 

        I opened the package and split the Snickers in half before handing them each a section. Caitlyn grabbed it greedily and started eating whilst Carter only stared at it.

        "Are you not going to eat?" Carter asked gazing up at me, for being four he had a huge heart.

        "No buddy. I'm not hungry. Go ahead and eat it," I said handing him the half.

        He hesitantly took the candy bar and ate it watching me with worry the whole time.

        After both twins had finished there candy bars I took them to the bathroom to quickly give them a bath. I hastily undressed each twin and stuck them in the tub. I rubbed baby shampoo through Carter's curly brown hair before turning to Caitlyn and doing the same to her wavy light brown hair. I rinsed the soad out of each twins hair and washed their body's.

        "Five minutes to play," I said seriously and walked over to the mirror.

        I gasped in shock at the already forming bruises on my face. Several of them covered my jaw line but the biggest was the one surrounding my right eye. My busted lip did not help my appearance. I turned the sink on and splashed my face before wiping away the dried blood.

        "Are you okay?" Carter's voice broke thought my self-pity.

        "Yeah," I gave him a small smile, "time to get out thought."

        I got both twins out and dried them off. I put a pull-up on each twin and tucked them into out twin size bed. We all share a room with only one bed so I usually sleep on the floor.

        "Goodnight Carter," I said kissing his forehead.

        "Goodnight sissy," he said before turning his back to me.

        I walked around to the other side of my bed.

        "Goodnight Caitlyn," I said leaning down to kiss her forehead just as I had did to Carter.

        "Goodnight," she smiled sleepily, "I love you, and so does Carter."

        "I love you too," I said smiling at her sweet confession, "sleep well my angels.

        I layed on the hard, cold floor thinking about how my face and ribs would be covered in bruises the next day. I thought about how Carter and Caitlyn were very aware of their surroundings but counted on me to keep them safe, and I would always keep them safe. I knew our mother did not love us, I was more of a mother to the twins than she would ever be. Lastly, as I fell asleep, I thought of keeping us alive.

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        Alrighty-then!!! This is chapter one to Saving Haley!!! I honestly hope you guys enjoy it!!! I already have up to chapter twelve typed because I have been working on this for awhile. I have really good idea's for this story so I really hope everyone that gives it a chance enjoys reading it.

        I know most of you do not like when people ask this but I am going to anyways. Can I get at least three votes? I do not like asking for votes but I feel like no one is reading it, or enjoying it, if I do not get any. So only three please.

        Any-who, her mother sounds really mean right? I thought so too.

        Love you,

        Gitchie