Upside Down

(11) I Was Offically Crazy

Chapter 11

Hugs : Good :: Missing : Bad

I was offically crazy. That or I was just starring at the cieling too long. The tan colored walls were swirling and my eyes were hurting. Thoughts of Kriss flew through my mind. How scared had she been living with an abusive family? Too scared to eat? That would explain some things like her weight. Did they ever ... molest her?

I snarled just thinking about someone laying a hand on her that way, especially her family. I don't care if they're cats or not, you never touch or hurt family, ever. Just thinking about that kind of crap got me anxious in an angry way, so much I stood up, pacing the room to releasing my pent up energy. All I wanted to do was kill those bitches right then for what they do to Kitty, my Kitt-

"Em?" I turned to my door. Kriss was mostly hidden by the door, showing only her eyes and a little wet black hair.

"Oh, yeah," I smiled at her, calming down and opening the door for her. "Come on in, Kriss."

When she stepped forward I could only smile. My mom had gotten her one of my blue flannel shirts for her and a pair of Evie's old pajama shorts that were too small for her then some socks. Her black hair wasn't so much of an afro now and I could see it came her her waist in long wet strands with a thick blue head band holding it back and exposing her neck and the black bruise on it.

Unexpectedly, my arms pulled her into a hug without thinking. But I needed this comfort for some reason, I needed to know she was okay. She will be okay. I don't think she expected the hug either but she relaxed quite quickly, hugging me back. I wrapped one arm around her back and my left hand smoothed her wet hair.

She was a strong girl, for putting up with that sad excuse of a family. Only she and god knew what they had done to her, what she had seen ... what's she's felt. I put my head on her shoulder just breathing her fresh scent in. Weird, I don't remember having lavender shampoo or anything.

She was okay. She wasn't hurt. She wasn't going be hurt. I was going to kill the Rufus family. I had to repeat that to myself over and over again to keep from going wolf.

"Bedtime kids!" I heard my mother call downstairs.

I pulled away from Kriss, not looking at her. Why was I embaressed? I could hear Evie downstairs moaning. Tomorrow her school had a day off and she always stayed up late on nights she didn't have to go to school. Wait, what would Kriss do while I'm at school? She couldn't come with me but who would watch her while I was at school.

She could stay with Mom. Yeah, that's perfect. Mom is going to take Evie shopping tomorrow and Kriss could come with them to get new clothes! Perfect!

"Come on, Kriss." I lead her out of my room by her hand to go down the hall to the guest room. "You'll be staying in here if that's okay." I pulled down the covers of the bed then set her on it, pulling the covers to her chin. "Come get me if you need anything. Anything at all. All you have to do is ask." With one last kiss on the forehead goodbye, I left her room and turned off the light.

Tomorrow was going to be hell.

[Seven-thirty AM]

I bolted up right in my bed then looked at my silent clock. Shit, I was going to be late! i jumped up and grabbed some pants from the floor and threw them on, trying to get a tank top and one of my flannel shirts on at the same time but buttoning your pants and your shirt at the same time is not easy. Finally it got done though and I ran a brush through my hair quickly then jumped out my door.

Was Kriss still asleep?

I stood in front of the door to the guest bedroom debating whether or not I should. I mean, she could be sleeping and I wake her up or she could be dressing or something. I listened in on any noise and there wasn't any so I cracked it open a cenitmeter or two.

She was gone.

I couldn't smell her or hear any noise from the bathroom. She wasn't in her bed. I threw open the door and searched through everything, calling her name but she wasn't there.

"Emerson, what's with all the shouting?" In the door way stood my mom, lazily brushing her hair.

"Kriss," I uttered out. "S-she-she's gone! I came to check on her but she isn't here!"

My mother frowned, "Well that is something, come downstairs and we'll take care of it. You're almost late for school."

"But what abo-" I argued.

"Emerson," She turned to look at me. "I am a mother of two rascal children, I think I can find a cat. Go to school, I'll find Kriss and take good care of her. Don't worry a bit, honey."

I trusted my mother, I really did but I had to know what happened and where Kriss was. She could have been kidnapped or something or taken by the cat clan. I hated even thinking about them laying their grubby paws on her. But one look at my mother told me not to question her. She was an incredible person, my mother and I knew she would find and take care of Kriss. "Okay ... just call me as soon as you find her, okay?" I demanded.

She looked offended. "Of course. Now go to school. You're late."

I looked at the clock in the guest bedroom. Seven-fourty eight. Fuck, I was so going to be late. I cursed under my breath and ran passed her, out the door and down the stairs.

"Okay, okay, Ms. Lacen," My father's voice distracted me from going out the front door. "come right on over around five so my son can be there. Have a good day, and don't worry. Goodbye."

"What was that about?" I asked, going into the kitchen.

"Ms. Lacen just saw something out in the woods, scared the poor thing to death." My father explained. "I'll explain it all when you come home from school which speaking of school, shouldn't you be there?" He raised an eyebrow.

I cursed again and ran out of the kitchen and out of the front door this time, jumping in my green truck.

I knew today was going to be hell but did it even have to start out bad?