WARNING ⚠️
This chapter contains self harm
Once they got home, Grandpa welcomed them, mostly Grandma. He barely noticed her, not that she minded.
Violet immediately went to her room, closing and locking the door. She turned on a small lamp, allowing only a dim light. She reached into her dresser and changed into a loose pair of shorts. She dug around under her stored away jeans, where a small pocket knife lay hidden. Pulling it out and clutching it tightly, she stood at a window next to her bed.
The girl watched the busy town below her. A few people walked along the sidewalk under umbrellas, cars bustled by. Violet sat on the window seat and opened her hand. Pressing a small button on the side of the handle, the blade released.
The knife was a gift from her uncle, William. He took care of her while her mother was in the hospital or high off her ass. He was the only person Violet knew really loved her. Tears welled in the girl's eyes, making her vision blurry, but she couldn't blink them away. William gave her the knife as a means of protection, from this awful world and the people in it. But for now, she used it as a means of comfort.
Violet ran her hand across her left thigh. Scars, lines of scarlet, tender skin, and healing cuts dressed up her thigh. Only her thigh. It was an easy place to cover, hence no questions from anyone. It was all she could do to keep her tears at bay. Drawing the blade into the delicate flesh, she sucked in a breath. Dragging her hand to the right, she exhaled as tears poured down her cheeks.
A rush of adrenaline pumped through her blood. She did it again. And again. And again. Soon, blood dripped down her leg, her breathing, forced and ragged. All she could do was watch it, her face wet with uncontrollable emotion.
Placing the blade down next to her, she felt a soft, calming breeze encircle her. She smiled and sighed, eventually evening her breath and leaned her head back on the wall. The earth smelled clean, small puddles dotted the street. Droplets of water dripped from windows and pipe drains. The sun hid behind company buildings, giving the moon the spotlight. Soft purples, blues, and pinks painted the sky. The world now looked beautiful, bringing a small smile to Violet's face.
A dull ache in her head hushed its presence as she evened her breath, relaxing into the wall behind her. A knock at her door startled her. "Sweetie, dinner is done. Come eat." Grandma said through the door. After a few moments Violet heard her footsteps drift to the kitchen.
Slowly standing up, Violet put on some loose, purple sweatpants. Using a tissue to wipe her eyes and blow her nose, she adjusted herself. Walking down the stairs, her thigh hummed in discomfort and pulsed, her head spinning ever so slightly.
Grandma and grandpa sat at the small dining table. Three bowls full of soup sat, waiting to be eaten. The two watched as their granddaughter took her seat between them. Grandma smiled and reached for her families' hands.
Violet kept her gaze down and joined hands. Grandpa gave thanks as steam for the soup brushed Violet's nose, making her sniffle back snot. Opening her eyes and retrieving her hands, she grabbed her spoon. After a few spoonfuls of soup, she leaned back and rested her utensil.
"Done already?" Grandma questioned, as more than half of her granddaughter's bowl was full.
Violet only nodded, not trusting her voice after crying. Closing her eyes, she stood and headed to her room. Before entering the hallway, she spoke softly almost robotically. "Thanks for dinner, goodnight."
