Outsider - Book Two

Chapter 1

'But if you don't eat your veggies you can't grow up to be big and strong!' Daddy reminded.
'But they taste so gross. Why can't we have pizza?' Francesca asked.
'Because we can't afford it, Cece!' He sighed. He stood up and walked over to the sink.
Washing the rest of the dishes waiting, flies and other bugs swarming. Ready to take any unnoticed bit.

'Owww!' Her mum groaned out in pain.
'Another contraction?' Dad asked her. She nodded, gripping tightly onto the back of the wooden chair.

'It's just a Braxton-hicks.' She replied. 'This damn baby wont come out i'm telling ya.' Her mummy sat down. Sweat beaded her forehead. 'Honey, we got another bill.' Mum passed a piece of paper over to daddy, the stress printed across his face.
'I don't know how we're gonna do it with another kid.' Mum spoke softly but it was still loud enough for Cece to hear.

'I can pick up some extra jobs for the gang. Try and earn some more money.' The gang, those were the people Daddy was always hanging around.
'I hate this!' Mum started to tear up. The lights flickered above them, in need to be fixed.

'We'll be okay!' He walked over and kissed his wife on the head. 'I promised I would take care of you, I still vow that.' He swore.
'Are we poor?' Cece asked. Her parents looked over at her.

'Not poor enough for you to miss veggies, now I wanna see half of that gone! or I will tickle you to death.' He ran over and started tickling her neck and armpits.

'Daddy stop!' She giggled, she couldn't control her laughter.
'Come on missy.' She picked up some broccoli and took a big bite, it tasted like dirt but she wanted to make her daddy happy. She took another bite and shoved a mouthful of peas into her mouth. They were a little cold and mushy but she still swallowed them.

'Good girl!' Her Daddy kissed her on the head.

She laid down in bed, her stuffed rabbit beside her. The glow in the dark stars on her ceiling shown bright, carrying dreams into her head.
Her bedroom door squeaked open and her daddy came in. His shirt was dirty and he looked very tired.

'Aren't you meant to be asleep?' He asked Cece.
'I can't sleep!'
'Need a story?' She pushed herself up a little and patted beside her. Her father breathed out a laugh. 'What kind of story?'
'I want one about dragons.'
'AGAIN?'

'Please daddy!' She begged, giving her winning puppy eyes.
'Alright, alright!' He cleared his throat and sat up straight.

'Once upon a time there was a magical dragon. Her scales were made from iron and her teeth razor sharp. In the moonlight she shone like a trillion stars.'

'Wow!'

'The dragon was a guardian of a small village. The village was hidden in the forest, so only those who were brave enough could find it. The people there were colourful and kind. They shared everything, as people should. And this dragon was just like her people, kind and colourful. But one day a far off village found out about this magical dragon that shone like a trillion stars. They wanted to take her scales, they wanted to rip out her heart!'

'OH NO!' Cece cried, worry filling inside her to the brim.

'So a bunch of people travelled far through all the forests in the world and one day they found the village. In an effort to lure the dragon out from her throne they burnt the village down, hurting all the lovely people inside.'

'Why? Why would they do that?!'
'Because they wanted to control the dragon. They wanted to kill the dragon, for power and money. Just as they planned - the dragon was lured out from her throne. She came to the village to try and protect her people. She saw all her people getting hurt, their homes on fire. Food being stolen and destroyed. This was her home, how could they do this to her people? But you see this dragon was very strong and very brave. With all of her strength she picked up her people and took them across the mighty lake where they would be safe. Then when everyone was okay she flew back to the village. Her powerful wings creating a hurricane to the attackers, wiping most of them out in a single blow.'