Fate and the Defiant Angel (COMPLETED)

Chapter 11- True awareness

 Cassie opened her eyes, her head throbbing and her eyes blurry. Everything ached. She felt so very cold and so very sick. Her entire body felt like it had been run over by a truck, and then thrown into a swamp with thick mud. Every movement was slow and weighed down, every movement of her arm and legs a struggle. She slowly looked around, attempting to get her bearings.

Her eyes wouldn't adjust, and it took her a second to realise it was because everything was just so very dark. She attempted to stand before her stomach cramped so terribly it forced her back down to her knees. She gagged before throwing up the contents of her stomach, which apparently wasn't very much.

She gasped for breath, the world shaking for a second and her head pounding. It took her a second to get the courage to stand up. It was difficult to remain upright, her legs shaky and her head foggy. She had faint memories of what had happened and how she'd ended up here.

Cassie could remember Jay showing her the drug, she could remember agreeing and then it all slipped through her fingers like sand. She could remember flashes. She was hanging out a car window screaming in joy, the wind whipping through her hair and everything so bright. She was throwing up in an alley. There was a strange man holding out her hand, which she took and let lead her away.

She shook her head, trying to clear the memories from her head.

Cassie was quite aware that she was in a crack house. The people lying around, and the abundance of drug paraphernalia, made it obvious. It stunk like body fluids and a mouldy bathroom almost. It was a struggle to stand back up again.

The smell was so pressing that she felt like throwing up again. It was smothering her almost, and she just needed to leave. A few people groaned as she walked past gingerly but none stirred. She was careful where she stepped, broken glass and needles strewn along.

She paused as approached the front door and caught sight of Jay. He was laying on his side, one arm outstretched and tied securely at the elbow. He was shirtless and covered in grit and grime. Cassie felt like she should have woken him up, told him to come with her.

No, leave him behind. Leave all of this behind.

She finally made it to the front door and stepped out into the beautiful fresh air.

It was night. She looked around, eyes adjusting and attempting to understand where she was. She didn't know where Jay had driven her, all she knew was that she wanted to go home. She carefully made her way down the stairs, eyes glancing around. It was an empty place.

Fields of overgrown grass extended out, with only a few scattered buildings around. She could see some shapes that vaguely resembled a cow. She was not at home that was for sure.

Cassie didn't remember the way that Jay had taken her, so she randomly picked a direction and began her walk. She didn't know where she was going or why she was leaving, she just knew she had to. She didn't curl up in a ball like she wanted to. There was a pushing force inside of her egging her on, telling her to keep walking. Her body still ached, and every step was so much effort. Yet she continued.

She walked for hours, so lost in her own head that she barely noticed. She had managed to reach town by the time the sun was beginning to rise.

She was so thirsty.

Cassie turned her eyes to a small dingy diner. It was eliciting the smell of food, not anything in particular, just that smell of warmth and cooking. It was the best thing Cassie had ever smelled. She stumbled her way over to it, the bell overhead ringing as she clumsily shoved the door open.

Inside there were a few scattered patrons, mainly drinking coffee by themselves. With the ding of the bell a few glanced up, and their eyes lingered.

Cassie's long dark hair was a twisted mess of knots and snags, and obviously had chunks of vomit within. Her eyes were larger than seemingly possible, and sported deep purple bags underneath them. Her lips were chapped and bleeding. Most of her clothes were covered in grime and dirt, with a one shoe a sneaker and the other a ballet flat. She was a mess of sadness and pity.

A waitress slowly approached. She was wearing a blue dress with a white apron, sporting the name tag Louise. She was older with stern looking lips and fiercely twisted hair, but kind blue eyes.

"Hi Darl, you doing alright?" She asked with a twinge of an accent.

Cassie didn't have an answer to that.

She wasn't ok. She was so scared and frightened. She was so thirsty and felt so weak. She was so very sad and just wanted a hug. She didn't know how she'd ended up in this life, or why she'd enjoyed it for so long. She just wanted to go home.

Instead of responding she simply began to sob.

It took a while for Louise to calm her down, giving her a glass of water and holding her hand. She was kind enough to give Cassandra her phone.

With shaky hands Cassie called her father.

He answered in a groggy voice, "Hello?"

"Daddy," Cassie croaked out. "I want to come home."