Emily sprinted towards the house. Usually, home is the worst place she could be, but she would rather have unwanted attention there than to be ignored. Her vision was blurry due to the tears filling her eyes, but she kept running and running.
Reaching the front door, she hesitantly, yet urgently, walked in. She was used to the sight of broken bottles and the smell of smoke. It was frightening to know that she couldn't get away from the chaos no matter how far she ran.
Not even bothering to close the door, she headed for the kitchen. It was abnormally quiet for her house. She had hoped that they were out somewhere. Maybe just for a few minutes, she could finally breathe. Though a part of her wanted them to be screaming at her. Even at times like those where she questioned her self worth, it took her mind off of every other problem she had in her life.
Opening the kitchen door, she came to find that the only person in the kitchen was herself.
She turned towards the halls and cautiously checked her room, thinking that they could be in there. It was a routine they used to do. Punch. Kick. Slam. Bleed. Sometimes, they would even yell just for fun. She hated it and they loved that, the fear in her eyes is what drove them. But when the aftermath became visible, people reported it. Information spread to Child Protection Services. Ever since then, they've found more ways than one to scar her for life.
Still, the only person in the room was herself.
She checked other rooms. They were all empty.
Curiosity overtook her as she slowly started for the room at the end of the hallway. Fear crossed her face as she stepped closer to the door. She slowly turned the doorknob, high creaking mocking her sobs just threatening to jump out of her throat. The wood door scratched the tile floor underneath, indicating her entrance. Emily mentally prepared herself for the worst.
Looking inside the room... it was also empty. But she didn't want to believe that, they had to be there. She frantically searched the room. The closets had nothing in them, as did the drawers. Phone chargers, laptops, everything was gone. They were gone.
She ran throughout the house and searched many more times before collapsing onto the ground, sobbing. She had always been scared to be stuck with them and now she wants it more than anything. It was the only permanent thing she had left and it was simply... gone.
She thought back on what they had told her, how stupid she was. She tried her best to ignore it, and up until now, it hadn't affected her. But were they right? Was she an idiot to believe in such a thing of permanence? In such a thing of receiving love, of deserving it. After all, nothing lasts forever. She of all people should understand that.
Maybe she was an idiot to believe she actually had a place here. An idiot to believe that people wanted her around. She was an idiot to believe in anything.
Her muscles shook as she rose from the floor. She took a look at the world outside the open door. They say it was a world full of opportunity but there wasn't anything there for her, she was sure of it. She knew she wouldn't miss the world, and the world wouldn't miss her.
