Beyond the Streetlights- Karson's Story

Chapter Three- Fate

The lights flash red and blue against my face in bright shades as I stare darkly towards my house.  Cautiously, my friends make their way out of the car, sneaking off into the distance unnoticed by the authorities.  Breathing out, I clench my fists and begin to take steps forward.  Heads turn as my boots clang against the dirt making crunching noises.  I can feel myself having caught the attention of dozens of eyes.  They observed me keenly as I approach.

Loud shouts rumble from inside as furniture is dragged, screeching on the ground in a haste.  Suddenly, the front door is kicked open.  A police officer exits the room with his back facing me.  He struggles as he moves out dragging with him a wrestling man.  The arrested man has his handcuffed hands tightly bound by the first officer while a second pushes him out of the house.  I immediately recognise the man as my father. 

He turns his head, catching my face.  His green eyes are wild, matching his crazed bright hair.  Sweat trickles down as he fights for freedom.  He yells something but his words grow inaudible as he is shoved into the blaring car.

That was the last I saw of him for a very, very long time.

An abrupt cry is heard as a young girl peeps out of the entrance.  Her brown hair is shyly tied back, a blood red ribbon holding it together.  Her hazel eyes scan the scene until she finally sees me and sprints, dodging the police officers blocking her way.

"Karson!" She exclaims.  I catch her with open arms as she leaps onto me.  "They just came and I don't know what happened , but they took dad and now we don't know what is going to happen-"  I can feel her quivers through my jacket.  Looking down at my sister, I place my hand on her head as I softly hush her.  Her face is pressed against my chest, clinging onto protection.

"Where is mum?" Her head remains hidden, but she brings her arm out and points towards the house.  That's when I notice the door is broken. "It's alright, Carter," I whisper quietly.  "Just count to ten.  One..." I begin as she follows my lead in a trembling voice.  I remove my jacket, carefully placing it over her shoulders.  Her quivering pauses for a moment as she feels my warmth being passed onto to her.  "Wait out here.  I'll go check it out," She nods as she looks down to the ground. 

I give her a final pat as I leave her and walk towards the door.  It's smashed and broken in half.  I'll have to fix it later...

"Mum?" I holler out into the darkness.  The unpaid bills have now sunken the rooms into a lightless state.  Quiet muffled sobs come from the kitchen.  Following the sound, I feel my way around as I feel sharp edges of broken glass where frames and mirrors used to be.  Maybe it's for the better that there is no light.  "Mum?" I repeat, louder this time.

"No, no," I hear her mumbles are followed by gasps, "Is there no other way?  Please,"  My eyes widen as I realise she is talking to someone.  My adrenaline rushes and I move faster in the hallway, which has become unfamiliar due to all the destruction.  This is not the first time, however it's never been this bad.  I feel a sharp object pierce my hand as I walk into something sharp.  Angered by the insult, I kick my way free, not allowing anything to block my way.

As I each the door, I follow the thin beaming ray from streetlights that manages to seep into the room.  It lands on a figure in the middle of the room.  Her head is down, one hand on her forehead in a sign of distress as the other clutches onto a mobile close to her ear.

"I understand," she says quietly, her voice strained with misery.  Without thinking, I trot up to my mother and snatch the phone out of her hand.  She gasps but I hold my hand over her mouth.  The dirt and oil on my palm smothers her face, black stains colour her cheek as guilt fills me.  But that guilt is soon filled with anger as I recognise the voice on the phone speaking.