The Parker Boys

Chapter 2

A/N

Picture of Katherine Ford

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CHAPTER 2

Darkness

Fear

Pain

That's the last thing I remember when I wake up in my bed the next morning. It all felt like a dream until I roll on my side and I gasp from the shot of pain that goes up my back.

What happened last night?

That's when I remember the burning I felt on my back. I've felt that before and I instantly know what it was. The last time I felt that much pain was when I was 8 years old, two years after my moms accident.

**FLASHBACK**

School was out so I was running home. Today, was a good day. My teacher, Miss Smith, told me it wasn't my fault and I was so relieved. I have been sad since mommy's accident. Daddy told me it was all my fault and I believed him.

I finally made it home and I walked in the door and shut it behind me. I didn't make alot of noise because I know daddy gets mad if i wake him. He has to work at night, he always told me, so be quiet when you come home.

Once daddy came downstairs I ran up to him excited to tell him the good news. "Daddy! Guess what?" He looked down at me annoyed and mad.

Why is he so mad all the time?

I pushed away that thought because I didn't want to spoil my good news. I looked up at him with a smile on my face that I haven't had in over two years. "It's not my fault mommy had an accident. Miss Smith said things like that happen and it not my fault." I say proudly

My fathers face goes from annoyed to outraged in a matter of seconds. I step back in fear wondering what it was I did wrong to anger him so quickly. "You think this isn't your fault?!" He spits in my face with so much venom and hatred. I cower back afraid of what he's going to do next.

He grabs me by my arm and drags me into the living room and throws me to the ground. I whimper in pain as I land on my arm wrong.

What's he going to do to me now?

He walks over to our fireplace and grabs a metal bar that was sitting in the fire and walks back over to me with a look of pure hatred. " This will teach you." He snarls out " It is your fault! You killed your mother!" and he drives the fiery tip into my back and I scream out in agony as the burning tip lights my skin on fire.

**END OF FLASHBACK**

I cringe at the memory and it was like I was 8 years old again. I carefully stand up and walk into the bathroom and gently clean the burn and bandage it up. I grab a loose shirt and hoodie and I slip it on. I make my way downstairs and out the door to school.

Once at school, I walk to my locker and throw my stuff inside and grab the books I need. I head on to my first period which is English. I take my usual seat in the back of class and away from the watchful eye.

My lessons fly by in a flash and it's lunch time. My least favorite time of school. Most would think it's the best time but not for me. For me, I have to listen to the rude comments and snide remarks. Oh, and I also seem to be the talk of the rumor mill now a days. I go take my seat in the corner attempting to avoid any confrontation. But of course, The Jessica Gardner, can't waste an opportunity.

Jessica saunters over with an air of confidence ready to go full on Bitch-Mode. "Look who it is. Its the daughter of Ryan and Tanya Ford. Oh wait, its just Ryan now isn't it."

"Yes Jessica its been that way for 10 years now. Do you ever have anything new to talk about" I simply reply not letting her know that what she says still affects me.

Jessica glares at me "What your rich daddy can't afford to get you more than bags. Maybe next time he's at the store he can get one to go over your head because no one wants to look at that face. You look like you took a dive in the swamp." with that she walks off still wanting to keep the upper hand.

I sit back in my chair and drift off into my thoughts for the rest of lunch. What Jessica doesn't know is that it was actually my mother who was the rich one with her job as a CEO of her own company. That all changed when she died, my father took the rest of the investment and used it for late nights at the bars in town. When our savings were washed up he sold the house and moved us into a townhouse.

Remember what I said about not caring about what people think. Well everyone does at least a little. I mean I know I'm not beautiful with my mud colored hair and my mossy green eyes, but I'm pretty sure I'm not ugly. Right?

With that last thought the bell rings signaling lunch is over and I head to class.

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Once I'm back home I'm glad to find out that Ryan isn't here. I sit down carefully on the couch and start in on my homework.

After a few hours of working on complicated math problems and an English essay, I hear the front door slam open. I jump in my seat my heart racing. "KATHERINE!" my father shouts. Oh, he's angry, no scratch that he's pissed.

What the hell happened?

I quickly put away my belongings as I say "In here" I try to sound calm but my voice comes out squeaky due to my rising panic.

Ryan comes barging into the living room while glowering at me. At this moment I'm wishing for the ground the open up and swallow me whole. He walks over to me and rips me up by my arm and throws me into the concrete wall by the fireplace. My head slams against the corner and my vision blurs momentarily.

Before I can even see again he is right in front of me throwing punches and until I collapse to the ground. Then he starts kicking me repeatedly in the side until I find myself longer able to breath.

I barely hear the front door being kicked open and a jumble of footsteps come pounding through the house. All of a sudden the abuse of my father stops, but my vision is too blurred to see anything.

Before I slip into unconsciousness the last word that escapes my lips is, "Why?"