Impact

The Shiny Silver Barrel

16 year old Madeline Brown starred down the silver barrel of a small pistol. All the pain, everything she's been going through, she's finally going to end it. Why is she doing this? Well that's a long story that starts about a year ago...

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"Beep! Beep! Beep!" Sounds my alarm at six in the morning I turn it off and sit up in my bed. I rub my hands on my face but stop when I feel pain on my left eye. I go over to the mirror and see that one of my hazel eyes is a mixture of purple and blackish colors. I guess last night's beating was worse than I thought. My dad is a drunk, a drug addict, and he beats me. It started after my mom died 8 years ago. No longer is there the kind man who would read me stories when I was little. He has been replaced by a brutal monster. Sometimes I see a glimpse of the old man but its shoved down and quickly replaced back to the evil one.

I slip on some old trashy blue jeans that barely still fit and slip on a plain green shirt that shows some belly when I lift my arms. Looks like I better steal some more clothes from the donation box. It says on it "Goes to the needy" so I'm not doing anything wrong, I am needy. It's not like my dad will take me shopping. I shuffle through my nearly empty drawers until I find a pair of sunglasses. They were pretty ugly, but my black eye was worse. I put them on and put my blonde hair in a quick side-braid. I grab my bag which is just plain brown and the strap is broken so I have to carry it with my hand. My arm aches as I carry it reminding me again of last night's beating. All that's in there is my homework folder and my math book. I then tiptoe to the door being careful to not wake my dad up. I cross through our living room which just has a ripped up couch and an old TV that doesn't even work. Then I go through the small kitchen which I'm sure has no food, if my dad ever gets food its from his freinds and he puts it in his room in his mini-refrigerator. When I finally reach the door I slip on my torn up flats and open it. Once its closed behind me I run outside and breathe in the autumn air. I then begin to walk down the road toward the bus stop.

I live in Titonsville, Iowa on a dirt road far away from any people. My house is one story and nearly falling apart. I'm always glad to get away from it. I love school, but no one there likes me. I get by though, the only one who has ever loved me would be my mom. So I've gotten used to being by myself. I'm not happy though, I'm never happy. I act like I am at school of course, so no one will ask questions.

I finally make it to the end of my dirt road. Now all I have to do is take a left once I get over this hill, then I can wait at the side of the road for the bus. I walk up the now asphalt road, no other cars are ever here so I walk in the middle for about ten minutes then I finally make it to the top. I turn to the side of the road and sit on my waiting rock. I grab a stone and throw it across the road seeing how many times I can get it to bounce. I get one to five times which is close to my record of six. I pick up another one just as the bus comes into view. I drop the rock and stand up. Taking a deep breath I make a happy face just like I practiced. The bus stops with a screeching sound and the doors open.

"Good morning Mrs. Ross!" I say to the bus driver in my fake happy voice.

"You too Maddy," she says as she pulls the lever closing the door behind me.

I sit in my usaul seat near the front where its always empty. As the bus starts I lean my head against the window. I look at the blurs of the red and orange trees as they swoosh by. We stop at a coulple more roads some show beautiful houses. I've always liked one that I see when the bus picks up a girl named Jade I don't think its her house but its close to hers. Its big and has two stories the color is a nice blue that's not too bright or out of the ordinary. Its just right. Its door is a pure white and it has a yard with perfect green grass. Someday maybe I'll live in a house like that.
Ya right that's never gonna happen.

The rest of the ride is boring and I'm nearly asleep until the driver yells that we're here. I walk into the school building and I go straight to my locker. My locker is at the end and the only locker next to it is empty. The principal probably did that to prevent bullying since everyone knows no one likes me. I put my bag in and grab my science book just as the bell rings. I walk into class and sit in the corner at the back of the room. I'm so glad Hailey Campbell isn't here today, because she would probably say something about sunglasses inside a building and I'd have to cross off another convincing excuse from my list.

"Good morning class I have an announcement," says Mrs. Fischer as everyone sits down, "We will be having a new student tomorrow. His name is Logan Wright and I expect you to treat him nice."

The class laughs at this and Mrs. Fischer sighs. My class didn't have the nicest people in it and they won't just welcome a new comer. They have to see if they're cool or not and if they're not then they're a jerk to them. As you've probably realized they don't think I'm cool.

The rest of the day goes by and just like that I'm on the bus again starring out the window. I don't want to go home, my dad will be awake. The bus stops at my waiting spot and I get out. The cold afternoon wind greets me and I wish I had a jacket. I decide once the bus is gone that its a good time to go to the donation box. So I begin the long walk to town.

When I reach the supermarket I go towards the donation box in the back of the parking lot. After looking around and seeing no one, I skillfully stick my arm in the box just the right way. I grab the first peice of clothing I feel and pull it out. Its a purple shirt with a white dog on it I try it on over my shirt and see that it fits so I stuff it in my bag. Then I reach in again and search around for a zipper or something that would feel like a coat. I finally feel a hoodie string so I follow it to the hoodie and pull it out. Its white with some green designs on it I stuff it in my bag and search for pants. I feel the familiar denim fabric and pull out some black jeans. I stuff them in my bag and the pain in my arm comes back because of the weight its gained. I start my long walk back playing out the scenario in my head. I'll walk through the rotten wooden door and my dad will be slumped on the couch holding a cigarette smoking something other than regular smoke. He'll get up his height six foot and his face will turn to pure anger. His hair black and horribly trimmed and his blue eyes full of hate.

He'll spit out, "Why are you late!?"

I'll say, "I went shopping."

Then he'll say that I'm a liar and accuse me of something. Then he'll start cursing and I'll try to run to my room. He'll grab me and start beating me.

By the time the scenario in my head is over I'm in front of my house. I take a deep breath and walk through the door. Then the scenario unfolds just how I predicted.

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Author's Note Please Read

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New story yay! So first of all thanks for reading! It means a lot! I know this first chapter is kinda depressing, but trust me it will get better! This chapter was kinda just to set everything up so sorry its not the best. Anyway if you could comment what you think I'd really appreciate it! Even just rating or adding this book to your reading list would mean a lot! Thanks guys! Till next time, love ya readers!