Chapter One: Rory's Life
Disclaimer: no… (Cue sad face)
Waking up was one of the hardest things to do nowadays. Especially when you have to cover up most of your body to hide bruises and red marks.
Yeah, okay, so I lied to my friends about having a loving family. I can't tell them about what really goes on, or else that would mean it would be real. This is all just a nightmare, and when I wake up, there won't be alcohol everywhere. My skin won't be littered with bruises and left-over concealer. Dad won't yell at me, and mom will pay attention to me. It's just a really bad dream. It's not real.
I gently pushed the covers off my bed and pulled myself out of the small comfort it gave me. Swinging my legs over the edge, I continued my way to the closet where I picked out an outfit: a graphic tee ('I'm Secretly Batman') and a pair of jeans. After throwing my hair in a high ponytail and putting my clothes on, I looked in the mirror and nearly cringed. Thank goodness I can afford makeup with my babysitting job, because otherwise… yeesh.
After applying foundation, concealer, and a little more concealer I looked normal. I applied concealer on the bruises on my arms then put on my shoes and ran to school.
Adrian grabbed my arm to slow me down as I entered the school. She laughed at me and I laughed too, thankful she didn't grab one of my bruises.
"Sometimes I swear you should try out for track." I just nodded, still out of breath. Anna came running up, pigtails bouncing. She had a giant grin on her face and was waving a newspaper ecstatically. She shoved the paper in my face.
"Did you hear about the new murders in our area?" she said, just slightly out of breath. "Here! Read it!" I took the paper and started reading aloud.
"'Quantico, Virginia has a killer on the loose—' Okay, Anna, did you write this?" Anna blushed but prodded me to keep reading. I sighed and continued to humor her. "'hunting victims with brown hair and green eyes. The serial killer has had seven previous victims and there are no clues—'" I stopped again and gulped. "Brown hair and green eyes?" Anna instantly deflated.
"Oh, no, I'm so sorry, Rory, I didn't even think…" she trailed off and Adriana cleared her throat.
"How about we ditch first and go to the music room?" Anna and I laughed and Adrianna grinned. First period was our free period (we should be studying, but oh well). Adrianna bowed and gestured to me. "Lead the way, milady." I laughed and made my way to the music room, my best friends following.
I burst into the music room, relishing the smell of polished metal and cleaning spray. I relaxed and leaned against the grand piano. Anna giggled.
"Lounge singer, much?" Adrianna lit up.
"Sing for us, Rory!" I blushed and twisted my ponytail into a bun.
"I dunno guys… I don't normally—" Anna did her puppy face (which worked really well with her baby-ish face) and Adrianna whimpered like a dog. I laughed and shook my head, my ponytail falling again.
"Fine. Which song?" Anna and Adrianna looked at each other and said: "Chandelier." I frowned.
"But I always do that song for you guys." They groaned.
"Fine, um…" Anna looked at Adrianna and shrugged.
"You Can Let Go Now, Daddy," Adrianna blurted. I raised an eyebrow. She shrugged in response so I just went with it. I didn't play the piano because, well, in all honesty I haven't heard the song in years and didn't remember the chords. So I just started to sing.
"Wind blowin' on my face
Sidewalk flyin' beneath my bike
A five year-old's first taste
Of what freedom's really like
He was runnin' right beside me
His hand holdin' on the seat
I took a deep breath and hollered
As I headed for the street
"You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Oh, I think I'm ready
To do this on my own
It's still a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be ok now, Daddy
You can let go."
Adrianna shivered and Anna got tears in her eyes, so I stopped. Anna poked me and nodded, so I continued.
"I was standin' at the altar
Between the two loves of my life
To one I've been a daughter
To one I soon would be a wife
When the preacher asked,
'Who gives this woman?'
Daddy's eyes filled up with tears
He kept holdin' tightly to my arm
'Till I whispered in his ear
"You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Oh, I think I'm ready
To do this on my own
It still feels a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be ok now, Daddy
You can let go.
"It was killin' me to see
The strongest man I ever knew
Wastin' away to nothin'
In that hospital room
'You know he's only hangin' on for you'
That's what the night nurse said
My voice and heart were breakin'
As I crawled up in his bed, and said…"
I took a deep breath and willed away the tears that were building in my eyes.
"You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Your little girl is ready
To do this on my own
It's gonna be a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be ok now, Daddy
You can let go
You can let go."
Adrianna started clapping and Anna burst into tears and hugged me tight. "That was so beautiful, Rory!" I gave a shaky laugh and thanked her. Adrianna grinned at me and I gave a small shrug and gestured to the other one, whose arms were apparently stuck around my waist. She cleared her throat Anna let go.
"Sorry," she giggled, wiping the tears from her eyes. I smiled and told her it was okay. Then the bell rang. I frowned.
"I thought it rang at ten o'clock?" Adrianna asked. I checked the clock in the room.
"It's only nine thirty." The fire alarm went off and we sprinted outside, but there were so many people and I lost them. I started to cry. I hated large crowds. Someone's arms wrapped around my waist and I screamed. He spun me around and I stared into seemingly soulless dark brown eyes. I started to scream but he covered my mouth with duct tape and slung me over his shoulder like I was nothing. I kicked and flailed and thrashed but he just carried me out of the school and into an old sedan. He shoved me inside and said, "Don't cry. It'll be over soon."