Cruel Sanctuary

Chapter 2

"You want me to-" I start in shock as everyone sits uncomfortably, watching the speculation before them. Owen cuts me off, "Marry her?" He scoffs, "Him?" I shout at our parents before us.

"Kiddo, Owen will do you good! Besides, we need this money for your mother. You'll be married despite your obvious issues with each other," My father reprimands and I look to my mother, "You're going to let them do this to me? Let them take away my special day, my special someone, my rights!" I exclaim and she looks to me guiltily, "I don't want to die..." She murmurs out, "There has to be another way," Owen begins but to no avail as nobody is willing to rationalise with us. 

I roll my eyes and turn to Jeremy who is sat there uncomfortably, his mouth zipped shut, "So you're agreeing to this, too? Your sister being forced to marry the guy who landed her in hospital?" I scream at him and he flinches as Owen stiffens and our parents' eyes flit between us in confusion and shock, "He did what?" Tina whispers out, looking to Owen, rage evident in her brown eyes.

"Oh stop with the shocked looks, you're all just as bad as he is, I hate you all!" I bellow and storm out of the living room and out of the house, storming around the streets, rage blinding my once clear vision. I don't even know what to believe anymore.

>>>

They're making me go and find this attention-seeking bitch. Hence the fact I am now driving in this car as I have been for the past hour searching for Skylar. She is so dramatic! She makes out that this is the worst thing to ever happen to her, I mean please, it could be with someone worse! If I were her I would just do it to save my mum but she's so selfish that she can't even do this for Sarah!

Skylar used to be my best friend, we did everything together. When we hit year seven I knew that she was just holding me back. She'd always ask me if I was okay even though I evidently was and she would always want to hang out. Skylar is beyond annoying and now I am betrothed to her. She has always had an attachment issue and I just couldn't deal with it anymore! Not to mention the fact that I found myself mutually dependant on her, leaving me vulnerable so I had to cut her off to protect myself. Now I see her for what she really is; an ugly, poor freak. 

I turn into the carpark of the local park and get out of the car, my frustration ploughing me forwards. I stroll into the play section where the swing set is, we always used to have swinging contests here when we were kids, she might come here. It's my last idea of where she could be so if she isn't here then I give up. Surely enough, she is there.

"Skylar, you're seriously being pathetic. This is for your mum and you can't even do that. Just get the fuck off that swing and do this for her. Do you think I really want to marry someone who is living proof that God can make a mistake?" I hiss at her whilst stomping towards her and I hear her sniffles, "Are you crying?" I ask her in disbelief and she throws herself onto her feet, turning to face me with her very minimal mascara running down her face.

"Yes, Owen, I am crying. If you could remember from when you didn't hate me, I've always dreamed of a happy ending and now? What do I have besides an asshole who wants me dead?" She rants and I can't help but feel sorry for her. She was telling the truth. She's been dreaming about the perfect future for her entire life, she used to discuss it with me in great depth. I know everything she wanted and that was not and would never be me. 

"Well, I don't want to be stuck with an unattractive nerd. Let's get back because I'm tired," I snap at her and grab her arm, dragging her to the car and jumping into the driver's seat, her in the passenger's seat. The rest of the journey is silent, Skylar seems to be lost in her own thoughts which makes a change.

>>>

Owen is so rude, it's unreal! He knows my longing to find perfection and it's so unfair that he isn't going to fight against this! It's as if he wants to take everything from me. I just want a sanctuary with someone who cares for me. Somewhere where nature is looked after by people who actually care. I've always wanted to have a place to feel as safe as the delicate nature around me.