Broken Rings

Before

Before

I'm laying on my bed staring at my ceiling, unable to fall asleep, when i hear something. Like the sound of shattering glass. I jump out of bed, into zebra slippers and tiptoe to the door. I put my ear by the crack of the door trying to listen for anything, thats when i heard footsteps coming towards me. I dont recognize these feet, i live with only my mom who's feet are tiny. but these, these are huge. I slip into my small closet and sit tucked into the corner curled in a ball. My breaths are heavy so i suck in a gulp of air and hold it. I wonder if my mom heard the glass but she couldn't, she is gone for the night. My door creaks open, and a wave of terror splashes over me pulling me into the current. "This is it," i think. The footsteps come closer and the closet door opens. i know, the closest is the first place everyone looks, but when you're about to die your head isn't clear. "I know you're here, Avery," a mans voice scruffs, "get out." I don't only move my hand which i am using to try to find something to defend myself with. the man grabs me by the neck of my sleep-shirt which makes me drop my bat i'm holding and pulls me out of the closet. He holds me up and looks at me for a second "you have your mother's eyes," he whispers. His breath makes me cringe.it smells like a failed attempt of breath mints trying to mask the smell of garlic. He is right, about my eyes, my and my mother's eyes are both a dullish silver color with a rim of gold around the edge. We both have particularly big eyes and long eyelashes. "H-how do you know my mom?" my voice cracks. 'thats none of your business," he snaps back. He looks tough and mean, but in his eyes if you look close enough you can see a bit of sadness. "What are you going to do with me?" i ask. "That will be decided later," he says and puts a small rag over my mouth and nose. After a couple of breaths I fall into a deep, black sleep.