Chad Jones: the Bad

I sit on the porch swing, my back, as curved as a boomerang. I can watch the road and everything that past my home if you can even call it a home.

The cold November wind flies past me, cutting my cheeks with its claws of ice, and so I quickly zip up my hoodie. I hate wearing my hoodie, I hate having to leave my room because Mom and her boyfriend are arguing on the phone.

I hate life.

My phone buzzes, which I take out and unlock the screen. It’s Becca.

(Author's Note: I don't write many short stories, but my local writing group had a prompt for the first line of a story, and I took it and used it, along with a germ of an idea taken from an Andrew Peterson song, Coral Castle,"'I don't need her love to love her all I can." I love the way it turned out, one of the few shorts I'm actually proud of. Enjoy! ~Kay)

*

After my bath, I dress back into my messy clothes and walk out to the humongous kitchen. I didn't realize how hungry I am until now.
"Do you want something to eat?" Angi asks, appearing out from the gorgeous spiral staircase beside the pantry.
"Please," I reply, feeling my stomache growl loudly.
Angi walks to the fridge and jerks in open.
"Here, I have some kiesh left from last night's dinner with the kids-"
"Wait, the kids?" I say, startled. I didn't even guess that she has kids.

"Let's get you a bath, Emily," Angi says once we are inside. The house is huge. There are arched ceilings, and beautiful worksmanship engraved on every piece of furniture. Even the supersized flat-screen tv is beautiful.
I run my hands over the wooden lion on the couch.
"Emily! Don't you dare touch that without my permission!" Angi shouts in my ear.
I jerk my pale hand away immediately.
"Sorry, An-"
"Don't you 'sorry Angi' me! You take one fast bath, or you are in deep trouble," Angi snaps.
"Yes, ma'am," I say, glad to get away from her.

When I awake the rain has stopped falling.
Morning dew has covered my face, making my shirt even wetter than it was in the first place. I sit up. It must be early, for it is still slightly foggy and the sun is still rising some.
I feel wet leaves and sticks cling to my hair, but it doesn't matter.
I'll get a home soon. I mean, who wouldn't want to take in an innocent ten year old?
Well, better start getting a move on now, I think to myself.
I stand up and dust off my too-tight kapris.

Thunder booms outside. Soaked, I run. I have to get away from that awful place.
Rain it pounds on my worn out clothes, stinging my fair skin.
"Sierra! Sierra, get back here girl!" a man's voice yells.
But I only run faster. He is evil.
I know he isn't my real father, no matter what he and his wife say.
I make a turn into the forest nearby. Haha! I think, he'll never be able to find me in here. Maybe he'll be eaten by a mountain lion. I grin and then feel guilty. That was way too mean.
Plus, I might be eaten by a mountain lion!

Chapter the Ninth