The Drunkard's Daughter

Kara

I started to cry. I felt the grip on my ankle start to get looser and looser as strength was being draining from Matthew. I tugged again at the rope, hoping that they would become a little loose. I cried out in frustration, turning my head at my father's laugh.

"Oh Kara, try all you can. Nothing will stop me from doing this."

Matthew chuckled at my father's words, although it sounded breathy and weak.

"I called the police. You're not going anywhere."

My father's smile fell, yet it turned into a smirk.

"You think you've won this haven't you? Well, you haven't yet. Besides, all I want is for this living garbage,"

He grabbed my face, squeezing and turning me to look at him.

"to be thrown out. If kicking you out of the house for the past seven years didn't tell you how much I hate you and want you out of my life, then maybe killing you will. At least I'm sober so I'll remember this."

He let go of me, and reached for the gun. My eyes grew wide, fear and anxiety plaguing me.

"NO!"

Matthew cried as Dad lifted the gun to my chest. Tears ran down my cheek, collecting in the gag. Matthew grunted as he tried to get up, the hand moving from my ankle. I watched as my father quickly moved the gun from me to Matthew, and fired.

---

Matthew screamed in pain as the bullet hit his leg, blood pouring out. I screamed, pulling again. I could feel the rope digging into the broken flesh of my wrists.

"Guess I hit the major artory there. Whoops."

My father laughed, raising the gun back to me. I looked down at Matthew, his free hand clutching his leg, barely stopping the blood.

Sirens could be heard from the bathroom. I began to scream again, as loud as I could muster. I felt the sting on my cheek as my father hit me.

"Be quiet Kara. You mustn't let them hear you."

I continued to pull at the rope as my father aimed the gun back at my chest, over my heart.

"Goodbye Kara. Say hello to your Mother."

My eyes grew wide, bracing myself for the pain.

"NO! KARA!"

Matthew yelled, trying again to push himself up.

"FREEZE! Lower the gun or we will shoot!"

A voice said from the bathroom entrance. I looked over and saw three police men, weapons aimed at my father. One stepped into the bathroom, gun aimed at my father's back.

"Goodbye Kara."

My father said, quickly turning the gun into his mouth.

"Sir stop!"

Then my father fired.

---

I looked at the blood sprayed wall, the bullet hole in it. I began to cry hysterically, completely losing it. The police man rushed over to me, untying the rope that held me. I collapsed onto him, and he held me tightly.

"You're okay, everything is going to be okay."

He pulled me out of the tub, making room for the other two police men to carefully carry Matthew. We followed them as Matthew grunted in pain as they held him, moving him to my bed.

"We need paramedics NOW!"

One of them said, grabbing a towel from the bathroom and pressing it on Matthew's leg. The officer that held me gently brought me to the floor. He untied the gag that held me then checking for more wounds. My shirt and pants were all cut up, blood staining them.

"Is Matthew going to be okay?"

I asked, my voice hoarse. The officer nodded.

"Yes Ma'am, he will be."

The paramedics arrived, bringing a stretcher with them. They rushed over to Matthew, bandaging his leg.

One came over to me, bandages in hand. As he quickly covered each cut, he began to go through the routine questions. I nodded my head, even though I barely listened. I felt light headed, my eyes closing.

"...ma'am stay with m-"