Blood Secrets

CHAPTER 2

BEFORE

It was another average school day and by average, I mean painstakingly boring. I was on my way to Cal's Cafe for an after school coffee; something I do everyday. Yet when I got there, I realised today was definitely not a regular day. I felt a chill rush down my spine. What was he doing here? I hadn't seen him in the longest time but I knew straight away who he was from his unique sky-blue eyes. They were always so bright that they looked the colour white and always seemed to shine with happiness but now it was different. His eyes didn't hold the same kind expression and his face no longer held that strong and muscular, yet kind demeanour anymore. It was rough and covered in stubble and drawn on lines. The lines were deep and mostly worry lines, and some the effects of ageing. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was I really seeing him? If so, what was he doing here? I didn't want to see him ever again.

I stood and stared for what seemed like hours when all at once, my face burst with recognition and anguish. I could feel the frown forming on my forehead. Then, as if the situation wasn't weird enough already, he smiled at me. An actual, teeth-showing grin. That's what scared me the most: the genuineness of his smile. Well, he always was good at lying. I guess people really don't change. Then, I made the first most idiotic decision of my life: I ran. I kept running until I felt the familiar soft pat under my feet as I sprinted across the front lawn. So many times I had ventured here with him. So many hours spent playing 'hide and seek' and 'it'. With him. My fondest memories were spent with that man by my side, encouraging me. Sometimes to overcome the fear of falling off my bike for the first time or from passing a big, threatening dog. Well, Dad, I can do all that, I can do all of it. On my own. I don't need you anymore.