Loving The Human

Three

© 2015, ItsLillieBro

Edited 05/22/2020

___________

Hailey

"This was a bad idea. I wish I had never left Oregon," Olivia sighed out as she walked up to me.

It was then she noticed my stature. I still wasn't sure what had just happened and I was trying to figure it out in my head.

"Hailey, what's wrong? You look terrified, or something," she said as she checked Brayden and me over.

"I-I'm not sure, can we just go home?" I asked hopefully and she nodded, taking Brayden from me.

"I'm sorry that I left. It's just, my mother knew the truth, and she was ashamed of me for the fact I had lied to my father. I also could hear Chase and him, coming. I wasn't ready to see either of them. I've made sure-" she paused as if she was about to say something she wasn't supposed to, "Let's just get going before they figure out where we are."

My breathing got heavier as we neared the house, and not from the walk home. I had told Olivia I wanted some fresh air, and that I'd meet her back at the house later. I needed time alone. The tension and the new environment were weighing on my fragile state.

I stepped into the nearby tree-line and tried to get the thoughts off my mind. I just wanted to run away from it all, but it was made clear I couldn't actually do that. I thought I could distract myself I could not my anxiety take over, but it was just too much.

I dropped to my knees, taking deep breaths and holding my chest.

I could feel the tears coming.

I was having another panic attack.

"No, no, no, NO!" I screamed, wanting to pull my hair out.

I hated this, I hated him.

Halfway across the country and I still couldn't get away. I wanted it all to go away. I wish I had never let myself get put in that situation.

I squeezed my eyes shut as memories from my "family" came back to me also. My chest hurt. I felt like I was going to puke in between sobs.

"Hailey!" the door slammed. I flinched. Dad was home.

"Coming!" I quickly shut my book and scurried downstairs as fast as my 10-year-old legs could carry me.

"You sorry excuse for.." he trailed off upon seeing me stand in front of him.

"W-where's mom?" I forced out.

He stiffened and I closed my eyes, trying to prepare myself.

"Don't stutter. It makes you look even weaker than you are! Your pathetic excuse for a mother is doing what she is supposed to."

I didn't know what that meant, but I wasn't about to stick around to find out. I tried leaving, but he grabbed my wrist before I could make it to the stairs.

"Ah ah ah, we have to play the game first," he gave me a grin and I fought back the tears.

I forced the thoughts away, wanting to die right then and there.

They never go away, I thought, no one can ever make them go away.

...

"Hailey!" I vaguely heard my name being called.

My vision was blurred, and I tried to sit up.

"Hailey, oh my gosh are you okay?" Olivia said as she rushed to me, checking me over in her motherly way, "I've been looking for you for hours."