When She Falls

Chapter 1

| chapter 1 : moving |

Carter lay her head on the window. Metallica blaring in her ears as she closed her eyes, swamped in her own thoughts. She opened her eyes when the little girl seated quietly besides her tugged her hand. With a small sigh, she removed her head phones before faking a smile at her sister.

"Carter I had a dream about mummy again"

She whimpered, Carter looking closer realised her sister was crying. At the mention of her mother a lump formed in her throat. She swallowed it down and silently took the small girl in her arms.

"It's okay. I'm here. Mummy's in a better place now"

She whispered in her sisters ear biting back a sob herself. She had to be strong for her sister. She knew if she broke down Claire would break down ten times worse.

Carter pulled her gaze away from the five year old girl and to the man in the front. An empty bottle of beer was clumsily flung to the empty passengers seat and his knuckles were white with how much force he gripped the wheel with.

She despised the man. Sure, he was her father, but she could never forgive him. Not like he cared anyways. He was to busy drinking and gambling to give two shits about her and Claire. Carter had become the only thing keeping Claire alive. Otherwise the both of them would probably be screwed.

He had been a nice man once. He was good to them. Treated them well. Gave them treats and happiness. And then their mother had died in a car accident. Carter had been in the car as well but she hadn't copped the blow. A drunk driver had hit her mums side of the car killing her on impact while Carter had gotten away with only a few bruises.

That's when her life turned into a shit hole. When her father started drinking and becoming abusive. When Claire's night terrors had started. When Carter had almost freaking lost it for real. Carter was the only one holding anything together anymore. At what cost she didn't know yet. She'd gotten beer bottles thrown at her and hardly slept because she had to keep her sister from screaming.

She was only a shell of her former self. Acting strong and nonchalant in front of Claire and directing her hatred at her father. Sarcasm had become her only defence from the world.

Just as Claire's sobs came to an end the car came to an abrupt stop. The moving truck not far behind. He turned around, glanced between Claire and Carter before an animalistic grunt left his lips.

"Go unpack the stuff and feed Claire. I'm going to the pub"

Was all he had said before leaving the two. Honestly Carter thought he looked like a hobo. He had a greasy beard and shaggy hair. He never used to look like that, that was for sure.

Finally taking action Carter opened the car door and got out. Reaching for her sisters hand before dragging her out with her and slamming the car door behind her.

•_ • _•

Carter walked into the new house with Claire in tow. The five year old let out small gasps at the sight. She couldn't help but admire it a little herself. Smiling to herself she led Claire up the stairs by the hand.

It was unlike her but she was getting kind of excited. Who cares what the shitty man wanted to do. She was perfectly fine without him.

She glanced at the first room on the left. Carter opened the door finally letting go of Claire's hand. She glanced inside the room. It wasn't overly big but it wasn't exactly small either. The room was a light shade of purple.

At the sight Claire claimed it as her own. Leaving the five year old Carter inspected the last three rooms. Finally. She came to the last one that had a nice view of the beach a little further on. A smile drew across her lips. She had found her room. The carpet was white, and so were the walls. It was plain but she could decorate it to her liking.