Avogado6 Short Stories

For The Best

I hate this. I hate this. 

 I could feel the warmth of my tears running down my cheeks and the pain in the back of my throat. I had been crying for what seemed like forever. I didn't bother paying attention to my surroundings, being that tears flooded and impaired my vision. I had taken a breather by a tree, being that I had been running for who knows how long. My feet hurt, my lungs hurt, my head, my eyes, everything. I couldn't keep track of time, being that I opted not to take my phone, in the case that they call the cops and track my location. All I know is that its night, and extremely dark. Only little slivers of moonlight peeked through the treetops. 

 I should sleep now

I know it's not the best idea to sleep unprotected, in the middle of a forest, but there was no other option. I took off my backpack and pulled out a blanket that I, thankfully, remembered to bring. I wrapped it around myself the best I could and drifted to sleep almost immediately.

...

...

-"And what's with this?" my mom called from the kitchen. I went over to check what she was inquiring about.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said, boy." She held her phone to me, revealing my report card for the semester, "What did we say? What did we agree on?"

"That if  I got good grades I would be able to have my privileges."

"Yes, so what's up with this?"

"..... I'm sorry-"

"-Sorry's not gonna cut it, boy. Now, hand it over."

"But, mo-"

"Now, Dean. I won't ask you again."

"Mom please-" I begged. I couldn't do this again. 

"What the fuck don't you understand about the word 'now'?" She grabbed my arm and yanked my phone from my sweater pocket. This is it. I'm done for

"What the fuck is going on?" I heard that familiar booming voice behind me. It was my father.

"Your son here refused to give me his phone." She said snarkily, knowing exactly what was going to happen next. I turned back, and to my horror, his eyes were filled with rage, and no remorse... no hesitation. He smacked me across the face. full force. 

"What the fuck have we told you about obeying your elders?"

"I'm sorr-"

"Sorry doesn't fucking cut it, you pathetic piece of shit. And don't you start fucking crying either. I didn't raise a pussy."

"Dinner's ready babe. Sit down and eat. Dean, you too." 

We ate and pretended like everything was fine, just like any other time this sort of thing happens, especially in public. Afterward, I lay in bed, reflecting. This was really it. My only connection to the outside world, gone. I'm trapped here forever. There's no escape for me. I'm being held captive in my own home. This house in my own cage. I can't do this anymore! I'll die in here if I keep going on like this! I'll go completely insane. I'll lose who I am. I'll lose my very being...

..... I'll....

 ... turn into a shell of what I once was...

I wake up, with tears running my face once more. I decide that it's best not to dwell on such things right now, being that, after all, I did leave for a reason. The sun shined through the treetops, making the luscious ground even more vibrant. It was filled with endless grass and bushes as far as the eye could see, with a pathway covered by clovers just below me. It's a shame that I wasn't able to take all this in before. I decided to sit a while and take in the view before continuing my journey. To where, I have no clue. just as long as I'm finally free. It feels invigorating, to say the least. 

I've been walking for presumably an hour or so, and I've been enjoying the serenity and tranquility. I hadn't even been looking ahead of me until right now. I can see something in the distance, but I can't make it out. Out of pure inquisitive, I opt to walk toward it. Is it a bad idea? Probably. Do I care right now? No, not necessarily. 

Walking closer, the shape becomes more distinct. It's a house of sorts, and it seems desolate, though not barren. There's still life to it, at least in my eyes. It feels like an antique in some ways. It obviously held a lot of history. It's entrancing. There's something oddly comforting about it. I decide to approach it, feeling as if it was pulling me in somehow.

I finally got close enough to take in all it's beauty. It's just to magnificent, to the point were I would do anything to live here, yet it deserves to remain untouched. Moss had invaded the bottom half of the walls, but not to an alarming extent. It gave the house even more of a rustic feel to it. It's designed as more of a log cabin, or a cottage. The windows are stained from weather and age, presumably, making it hard to see, making me want to explore the inside even more. I figure now is a good time to raid the inside for any food or other supplies. There's an entrance is just off to the side of the house, and has a little patio. On the side of the door, is a bucket of water next to the door frame, all by it's lonesome. 

I enter into a kitchen and what I can only assume is supposed to be a dinning area, though there is only empty space and dust. It feels like the entire house is frozen in time, and the atmosphere is appeasing to say the least. In my search, I found bandages, a few still edible non-perishable foods, blankets, a bigger backpack, and a stuffed panda. While looking through the various rooms, outside one of the windows, i was able to make out a well outside, which gave me an idea.

Once I made sure I got everything I could carry, I headed back outside and took the bucket with me. I go to the nearest tree, dump out all the moss and mold filled water, and with the brush I found inside, clean it. Thankfully, I figured out how to operate the pulley system attached to the roof of the well and was able to get some fresh water in the bucket. The water inside glistened with the light reflecting from it. I placed it back in it's original spot, and stayed there for  bit, studying the reflection of sun rays. 

Just as I started to mentally drift off, a butterfly comes into my view. I was initially scared and flinched, but stayed still. The butterfly landed atop the water and something struck me. I oddly felt a connection to this butterfly, but I don't know how... but part of me does somehow...

As I begin to continue on, I look back at the house one more time, and something amazing happens. It's the butterfly again, the same one from before, circling around me. I instinctively extend my index finger and it lands on the very tip. I know exactly what this means now. I don't know how, but I figured it out. It all makes sense now. I'm filled with reassurance as I head off once again, knowing that this was meant to be.