Forged With the Elements

(1) One More Day

Chapter 1

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"If you truly want to escape this reality,

all you have to do is open a book

and your imagination." 

~ Anonymous

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Aithne

I wish I could escape. 

I gently turn the page of my book, longing for a home that doesn't exist. Sometimes I wish I could be sucked into a book and be part of its magical world...

"Ow. What was that for!?" I scream, as a tall skinny woman yanks out my earbuds, interrupting my reading.

"What the fuck are you doing sitting your lazy ungrateful ass down!?" she angrily shouted. "You're suppose to be cleaning the house spotless, cooking dinner, feeding the dogs, and doing the fucking laundry!"

"I'm sorry! I just got home from school and wanted to take a short break before I started chores," I replied quickly.

The tall woman points her shaky boney finger at me. Making it feel like I'm talking to a skeleton, she looks like a walking bag of bones.

"You should be working your ass and repaying us for taking you in. We're giving shelter, food, clothing, and a roof over your head and this is how you repay us?"

She scoffs, staring at me hard with her dark black eyes that seem to be shooting bullets right at my face. The dark bags under her eyes indicate that she's been using again. Unable to sleep because of how high she got yesterday.

"We should be getting more foster money for taking care of you and dealing with all your bullshit."

Not wanting to provoke her, given the state she's in, I refrain myself from telling Agnes that tomorrow is my 18th birthday. I was planning on telling her and her husband Donald that they wouldn't have the heavy burden of taking care of me anymore.

Even though I was taken in by a couple of junkies who needed money to buy more drugs, I still wanted to thank them for giving me a place to stay. It was way better than the orphanage. But I think I'll just leave without saying a word.

"I'm sorry," I replied again staring right back at her with my glowing red eyes, feeling a mixture of annoyance and anger.

"I'll get started on the chores right now." I put on my best fake smile. "Just do it and get rid of the attitude! Next time I won't let you off easy." She slammed the door shut, creating a loud bang that caused the dogs to start ferociously barking.

I rolled my eyes as I laid back down on my bed, splattering my brown hair in a tangled mess. One hand was rising up and down on my stomach and the other was above my head, my thumb neatly placed in between pages of my book.

I take a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds and then breathing out. I finally give out a loud sigh letting all my frustrations out.

I relish in the silence and peace, allowing my angered mind to relax, before stepping out of my protective bubble. One more day, I keep telling myself, one more day and I can leave.

I can leave this small dirty house that's on the verge of falling apart. I stare at the walls, my eyes hovering over the small brown stains and scratches. I take another deep breathe, inhaling the smell of alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes.