I remember when I was young, a woman came to my mother’s house. She asked me a few questions.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yDsEAdh30
“Do you feel safe here?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l8ijieX1i
“What do your parents do when they get mad?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmLoURt5Y8
And the whole time I never thought to tell her what was really happening. I just smiled dumbly and said that my mom and dad were the best in the world, that I couldn’t have better parents.
Why did I lie?
I walked from the bus stop to my apartment on the third floor. My window faced a brick building, the gray slabs blocking out any sunlight and any chance for a breath of fresh air. The familiar egg shell white door opened up into my flat. Setting my bag down on the dining table, I shuffled to the fridge, rummaging through week old take out and expired cottage cheese until I found two eggs so I could make an omelet. This wouldn’t be the first time I was just barely scraping by with that drunkard banging on my door every month demanding I help him. I grabbed the frying pan and began to heat the stove, the burner flickering to life. A bit of oil and year old pepper scattering on the heated pan. The eggs were thankfully not spoiled, their yolks still orange and full as I watched the clear turn to white. My fork popped the yolk, watching it leak onto the pan and turn a bright yellow. Taking it off the burner, I waited for the pan to cool. Finding it unnecessary to plate it when the pan was basically like a plate. I took a napkin and walked back to the dining table, setting the napkin below the pan to prevent any marks showing up on the wooden surface. I ate in silence, the quiet comforting in an odd way. Enveloping my being like a sleeping bag during a cold night after fishing. Checking my phone, wondering if my manager was ever going to text me about that audition I had last week. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQQB9cdA6H
“I knew I wouldn’t make it.” I scoffed to myself, picking and pushing at my eggs. Only an idiot would still have hope after so many failed attempts. I sighed, leaning my head back and staring blankly at the popcorn ceiling. It was collecting dust and cobwebs. Not like I could even spare a moment to clean the damn thing anyhow. I had to wash the dishes and shower before getting a restless four hour nap.
My phone lit up, my sister’s caller ID displayed on the screen. I just looked at it and watched it go to voicemail. I’m a terrible older sister but I just couldn’t handle yet another argument with my father and then have to take care of my sister for the next few days. Something I did more often than I’d like to admit. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9UYe1nAQu
“If I had a nickel every time that bastard made a fool of himself, I’d be a millionaire.” I muttered to myself. She called again, and went to voicemail. And then again, and again, and again. Until I decided to just answer. I didn’t have the energy to be the mediator, and yet I just didn’t have the heart to completely ignore her. I knew that she only called me this late when she needed help.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAwVFW0K9v
“Hello?” *I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Dad’s upset again.” *She replied softly. I knew that tone too well. The quiet tone was to not alert our father that we were talking to anyone else. I sighed, looking at my watch. It was past eleven and quickly approaching midnight. I pinched the bridge of my nose and got up. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcNXdOs8Cm
“Okay, pack your stuff I’m on my way.” *I told her, waiting for the poor girl to hang up first. I heard the small jingle of my phone as she ended the call.
I made my way down the same three flights of stairs down to the common area garage. Slipping inside I got my little moped that only got used to go pick Lina. I never used it because gas just wasn’t in the budget for me anymore. Starting up the little engine I strapped the helmet to the seat and pulled out into the crisp night air. The roads a bit slick after the rain this afternoon. It didn’t take long for me to get to that beat up trailer. Lina was already sitting outside on the stoop, her little duffle bag sat beside her. I pulled up and hopped off.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxVrZN2d5Z
“Turn around and go grab a coat, I can’t afford another case of whatever you got last time.” I sighed at her, pointing her to go back into the house as I leaned against my moped. She grumbled and reluctantly went back inside to grab a coat. Emerging only seconds later with her princess themed one that she was only now starting to grow out of. I looked at her closely, knowing I would have to buy her a new one for the holidays that were coming up. Our parents never spent a dime on their two daughters. Only caring about their “perfect” son. Lina hopped on the back of the moped, I shoved the ugly, clunky helmet onto her head and watched her secure the ties. Climbing on in front of her and turning the key into the ignition, the engine fizzled to life as we took off onto the late night road.
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It felt like burning. An unending ache that came from inside.each and every one of my ribs. My mouth felt wet, and sticky, the taste of iron making my stomach do somersaults. Opening my eyes to the blinding sight of red and blue lights and blaring sirens. Despite the ache in my chest, my body felt remarkably light. Now sitting upright, my vision blurry as I looked on at the first responders. My moped was completely wrecked and abandoned just a few yards away. Red stains decorating the smashed windshield and dented headlights. Focusing on the bright red crimson splatters on the shattered glass. My head began to throb like my heart had relocated to my head. I touched the tips of my fingers to my forehead, bringing it back down to my line of vision. My eyes going in and out of focus as I shakily stared at my now dark red finger tips.
A firefighter glanced over at me and jogged over, quickly examining my state.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWKMyE3Q0W
“Miss, Miss, can you hear me?” He asked, but his voice seemed far away, like an echo from inside a very deep cave. I began to speak, but the words clung to the back of my throat. My vision double momentarily and the ringing in my ears rang as loud as church bells after Sunday mass. 35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w51XyiCYW
“Where is my sister? Where’s Lina?” I mumbled, my eyes scanning the area. There was a large RV at a stop in the middle of the intersection. A dent framing the middle front of the dauntingly large vehicle. A few yards away from the RV was that unmistakable princess themed coat that was at least two sizes too small, wrapped around the small form of a little girl surrounded by paramedics. Her hair clumped up and a dirty brown. A stark contrast to the bright color of her normally blonde hair. She laid flt on her back, her eyes unopened, crusted over with a flakey brown substance, her mouth being covered with what I figured was an oxygen mask. Though my mind was stuck in slow motion, my arms were already fumbling for my wallet, pulling out my plastic ID card and handing it face up to the firefighter. The bright red heart on the card drew his attention first. But before either of us could get a word out, my eyes went dark and my limbs felt weak and the very tired heart of mine, finally stopped singing.
