"Yes, I'm leaving now," Serena assures, panting, hearing her mothers pressing voice above the ongoing clatter in her home. She ran, tripping on her feet clad with sneakers in the early morning dawn. The wind beats against the visible flesh not covered by her jogging apparel. Beyond she can see the very outlines of the cemetery, no, not an out line but the dead themselves, she becomes aware of the short distance, stopping mid stride to get a better look at what her parents decided would be her new school. She Tilts her head to the side and feels an on coming headache, breathless; she allows the wind to caress her skin, comforting, soothing the burning sensations of fear that took on her body. If she didn't move soon she knew she would be late. Making haste Serena ran knowing that the calls of the dead couldn't harm her, at least not for another half hour.
On reaching her home, Serena opens the rickety old gate, pausing she briefly inhales the sweet scent of Gardenia. Not bothering to heed her mothers warning about the creamy flower, she plucked it, holding it against her cheek. No she thought, deciding better against it, its excessive aroma, twirls, clouding years of warranted anger, weaving threads of happiness and ease in its place. She can hear her mother; she can hear the underlying anger in her voice, grateful she cannot see her. "I'm coming!" she assures, fumbling with the keys on the door. "It won't budge," she whines, almost resentful. She pounds at the door with her fists, a clear show of indignation. Realizing it wasn't going to get her in on time, she slumps against its frame, allowing the cursed thing to win today's battle. "Well?" said Sam. "I'm sure mum won't be too pleased to know that you're hiding behind closed doors."
"Cant you just let me be Sam, there's enough on my plate without you having to add your two cents in."
"Let you be; now where do I find fun in that?
"Just cut it out already" she snapped appearing to be nonchalant as she passed.
"I wonder what's upset her said Sam peering at the spot his sister had stood in not to long ago.
Heading at a fast pace she desired the comfort and solitude of her room, seeking the black coated walls shun from any personal photos, objects. Her confines tidy, crowded from the small amount of living space she was given. Yet it was hers and that was all that mattered to the 17 year old flower who wilted in her parent's home. "Let it be" Serena exhales, turning to see the slouching figure reflected in the mirror. "It's now or never" she said heading towards the awaiting shower she desperately needed after such a long jog. With her mind swimming, floating, flashes of painful memories swept across her closing eyelids. Her state of mind mirrored the horrific scenes of old. "No!!! Openly sobbed a four year old Serena, she gently stroked a blood stained Kenji whose pulse had long ago fled him. "No daddy, don't leave me", cried the hopeless child into her fathers shirt, pleading, chocking hoping her father would return. In a futile attempt did she tare away from the darkness, sealing the whole bearing her recollections of her father.