It was raining. The angels seemed to be weeping, their salty tears falling from the heavens onto the hood of the dark blue, Chevy S-10 that was speeding down the highway past cars. Inside was a young woman who was wiping away tears with a shaky hand. Her hand brushed against her discoloured cheek, her tears hitting the cut on her face. It hurt and it stung, bringing forth a wince and a hissed in breath from her. She shook her head, still choking back small sobs. She gripped the steering wheel, giving up trying to wipe her tears away. They seemed to be endless, so she just let them fall. Specks of dried blood were splattered upon her face and clothing, her fingers stained..
She trembled. Trembled rather violently. She had almost gotten into a wreck several times, she was shaking so bad. Had to stop several times to compose herself. But she couldn't stop this time. She was so close to home, so close to King County. She just wanted to be home again..
She couldn't believe what had happened. Well, she could, on his part at least.. It wouldn't of been the first time he ever.. But she.. She had surprised herself. She tried to leave so many times before, or planned to. Before she could even step out the door, he'd hurt her even more.. But she left this time, and he wouldn't hurt her anymore..
The brakes to Greg's- well, it belongs to her now..- truck squealed to a halt after a while into an all too familiar driveway. She was home.
Six years.. It has been six, long and tiring years since she stepped foot in King County. Six years when she and Greg ran to Florida after they got married, even though everyone was so against her and his relationship.
Mama was so mad at her, she was told to not come home. So she never did. Why? Mama only said that in anger. At least that's what she was hoping.. But she was too proud to come home, to prove to everyone that she was wrong. She was young and naive.
But there she was now, killing the engine and exposing herself to the freezing rain. She slowly walked over to the door, already hearing the loud barking of Rusty as he charged at the door, at the intruder who dared to come to his home. She could see the curtains flutter into place as a silhouette was seen staring out of the window as the woman made it to the door.
She raised her hand, shaking and hesitant, and knocked softly on the dark wood door.
The door swung open. Light filtered around a rather hefty looking woman who was well into her fifties, though she looked older than that.. Stress will do that to ya. Dark brown hair- though to be honest, it looked like it had more grey than brown- spilled out of a messy bun at the top of her head. Her green eyes, worn and baggy, widened as they fell up her daughter, whom was smiling weakly at the older woman, letting out a choked chuckle. "V-Valerie...?"
"Hey, Mama..."
"That son o'a bitch..." Danice growled, pacing back and forth. Her anger-filled eyes traveled over her daughter's face, gluing onto the wound on her face.
Valerie reached up to cover her cheek with her hand, opting to keep the fact she had several bruised ribs and... She didn't want her mother to know and be more upset. "Mama.. Please, don't get to worked up 'bout this.." she begged, her voice soft and throat tight. She looked down, unable to look at her mother. She let her hand fall to her lap with the other and wrung her hands. She twirled her wedding band around her ring finger. "You gotta calm down. Think 'bout your health.. Ya don't have to get all worked up 'bout this."
"The 'ell I don't!" Danice exclaimed and stomped her foot to the ground like a child.
Rusty, Vadden's seeing-eye dog, flinched at Valerie's feet. The German Shepard was but a pup when Val got him for her brother before she left. She wanted him to have someone there for him, since she wasn't going to be anymore.. In all honesty, she was rather surprised that the dog even remembered her. She expected him to not know who she was. She only spent two days with the little beast, then left for six bloody years. But no. As soon as he saw Val, he glomped her, knocking her to the ground unto her bum, and showered her face with dog kisses. He had missed her..
"That.. That ASS laid his hands on my daughter! The fucker is going to get what is coming to 'im, I swear. I'll kill 'im myself!" Danice's voice seemed to grow as her anger continued to rise. Her face began to colour to a dark red; the veins at her temples were pulsing from her skin.
Valerie blinked at her mother, a little taken back a the older woman's language. Mama was a devoted Christian woman. Went to church on Sunday mornings, went door to door to share her beliefs, rarely used profanities.. She loved to drink though.
"He did get what he deserved, Mama. He got it good.. Now," She looked up at Danice. "Please sit down and calm yourself. Or you're gonna wake up Vadden."
"I'm already awake."
Valerie and Danice turned to look at the doorway that lead to the stairway. A young boy stood there, his paled and unfocused eyes staring at nothing in particular. He had his hands outstretched as he took careful step to the couch where Val sat. He sat down at the end, as far from his sister as he could without falling off the sofa.
"Vad-"
"How long has that been going on?" He interrupted. Clearly, he had heard everything.
Valerie sucked in her bottom lip, a habit she had always done when she was anxious or excited or nervous. Danice stared at her expectantly, wondering the same thing. The younger woman sighed. "For about four years.." she admitted, keeping her gaze locked onto her feet.
Danice's face tightened.
Vadden's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. "Why the hell did ya not leave him then?! Why did ya not come home?!" There was no hiding the hurt, the cracking of, in Vadden's voice, plainly sitting just under his anger. Why did ya leave me for an ass like him..? That was the underlining question he was really asking his older sister.
Danice growled at her boy, telling him to watch his mouth or he'd eat soap. How funny a thought. A sixteen year old having to eat soap. He merely snorted inwardly, mumbling something along the lines that maybe she should eat the soap herself. Or something like that..
Valerie simply shook her head, though she knew he wouldn't be able to see it. He never could.. Her body trembled again as she tried to hold back her tears. She wouldn't cry in front of her mother and brother. Not now.. "I-I dunno. I'm pathetic? Prolli. Didn't wanna prove Mama right.. Didn't wanna hear her say 'I told ya so'. I always thought he would stop.."
"Well, I did tell ya.."
"I know, Mama."
Vadden furrowed his brows, his jaw tensing. "You stayed because of your pride.. You are pathetic.."
Val blinked at her brother, her eyes wide. "Wh..wha-"
"Vadden! How dare yo-"
He got up, not giving the women time to finish speaking. He started for his room, calling Rusty with him and slammed the door behind him. The sound made Valerie jump..
Valerie slowed her truck to a halt in front of the high school. Vadden sat in the passenger seat, a cane in his lap. He was silent, brooding like he had been doing the past few days since her return. She sighed and turned to face him. "Are ya still angry with me?" she asked, though it was rather obvious that he was..
That earned her a scoff. "What? Me, angry? Nah. I just got over the past six years overnight, Valerie." He gripped the cane with both hands; his knuckles turned white. "You think I'm gonna forgive ya just like that?" He went to open the door, but she locked it before he could open it. He grumbled and crossed his arms over his chest like he was a bratty child who wasn't getting his way.
"Nope. You're gonna hear me out." He was about to open his mouth to speak, but she cut him of. "No. I have the floor now, you little brat. Jesus, Vadden. You're still acting like a child about this. I mean, yeah. I can understand your resentment a little then. But you're a man now. You can't just sit around, bein' pouty and super unpleasant all the time." She folded her arms over her chest. "It's time for you to grow up and be a man."
"And do ya mean your definition of a man, where it's okay ta beat women when they're annoying or stupid?"
"What the hell is you're deal? I made a mistake. Are you going to sit there and continue to use that and take your anger out on me with?" Val was hurt by his words, but never showed it. Wouldn't give her brother the satisfaction. There was a knock on the passenger window, interrupting the two. One of the staff was out there, waiting patiently to help Vadden out of the truck and into the school. The woman sent Val a soft smile, which was returned. "Ya know, whatever. I'll see ya after school. Get." She unlocked the door, which he opened quickly and was helped out.
She didn't wait to see if he had gotten into the school or not when she started driving again. She sighed, shaking her head slowly. She couldn't let her brother's words bother her. She knew they were said in anger, and he didn't mean it. But she couldn't help but feel troubled by them.. I mean, that was her brother, after all..
She rubbed her face with one hand, groaning..
Mama had asked Valerie if she could pick up a few things at the store while she was out. Valerie quickly obliged to her mother's demand. She wanted to get back into the family, feel like she was apart of it again. To be accepted and get in good with them once more. It wasn't like school pick-ups and drop-offs and shopping trips were going to do that, would glue them together again. But it was a start, little things that would push them back together. A fresh start. God knew that was what she needed..
Oh well.., she thought to herself as she parked at King County's local grocery store. She killed the engine and exited the car. Valerie made sure her truck was locked before venturing inside. She grabbed a free and empty cart and made haste through the isles. She grabbed several canned foods, like spam and hash, canned vegetables. Several drinks. She checked the eggs to make sure none were cracked before placing them in the basket. Item after item, she checked them off the list. Needed toiletries.. So she went to the hygiene section and picked up items Mama and Vadden needed, as well as some.. uhm.. personal effects for herself.
She was just leaving the isle when another shopping basket ran right into the side of her's with a loud clash. "Oh my God! I am soo sorry!?" Valerie heard a frantic and familiar voice apologize. "I've just been so distracted and wasn't watching were I wa-" There was a pause for a moment. "Valerie? Valerie Sinclaire? Is that you? God, it's been so long."
"Hey, Lori," Valerie greeted, looking up at the older woman with a tight smile. Her eyes seemed to be filled with worry, tired and reddened. As if she had been crying recently. "H-how are things at home? Carl and Rick good?"
Lori's mouth formed a tight line to keep her lip from quivering. "About a couple of days ago, everything was okay. More or less, I suppose. But then.." She paused with a single sniffle. Val cocked her head to the side questioningly, her pale green eyes locked onto Lori's. "Rick's been in the hospital the past few days.."
"Oh God!" Valerie gasped. "Why? What happened? He's not sick, is he?" She hoped it wasn't anything too serious. The Grimes Family were like a second family to Val.. It was her job to watch Carl sometimes for them when a babysitter was needed. A bond grew between her and the boy, a brother-sister relationship growing between them, as well as the parents. Rick was always there for her when her father wasn't anymore. There was no doubt heartbreak within this family when she left as well..
Lori shook her head. "He was.. He was shot." Val's eyes widened. "Shane didn't see the third man before it was too late." Lori took a shaky breath before continuing. "And Carl.. My poor baby.. Dad is the boy's hero. So torn up. And.. And-"
"Hey.." Val said softly, moving around to stand next to Lori, to wrap an arm around the distraught woman as to comfort her the best she could. "Rick's gonna be alright. He'll pull though this, ya know? That man loves y'all too much to just let ya go like that."
Lori sniffled again and wiped at her eyes; tears were threatening to escape. "Thank you, Valerie. that means a lot to me. To hear."
Valerie nodded, smiling, and offered to walk and shop with Lori. She figured the older woman needed some company and a distraction from what has been going on in her life. She knew the worries of being married to a man on the force, how hard it was.. Greg was in the Marines and was gone for some time, so she had an idea on how Lori was feeling. When Lori accepted her offer, Valerie smile. It would be nice to have some company that wasn't at all hostile towards you. Though.. As the two women walked, she could feel Lori's eyes burn into her, specifically, her face. She even caught her staring a time or two at her face. At the healing bruise and cut.
"Soo.." Lori cleared her throat after being caught. "Uhm.. Wh-when did ya get back? Greg around?"
"No. No my husband isn't here. Doesn't know I am, either. Val answered rather shortly. "I got back about three days ago..? yeah. Three days."
Lori nodded. "Did he- You know.. That?" She gestured to Val's face.
Not just that, Val thought bitterly before nodding. "Yeah. That was him. That's why I'm here." She shrugged as if it were no big deal.
Lori was silent for a moment, her brows furrowed and lips cast into a scowl. She seemed to be in thought. "Honey, I-"
"Look, it ain't a big deal anymore, 'kay?" Valerie interrupted. "I already got a talk from Mama and Vadden. I'm okay now. I just needed to get away, so I did, and he ain't coming here."
"You should get a divorce anyways. And a restrainin' order. And press charges."
"I'll keep that in mind.."
After that, the two women shopped together in silence, occasionally talking about life and catching up with things over the past six years. It wasn't until they were both at the check-outs did they part ways with hugs and cheek kisses. Valerie told Lori that she hoped Rick got better soon and to say 'Hi' to Carl. Then the two split ways.
Valerie drove back home with a soft smile on her face. It was so nice to have seen Lori, despite the events that happened with Rick. She really hoped he'd heal up fast and sooth his worried wife.
She couldn't believe how dumb she was to have left in the first place, leaving all these loved ones behind for true love..
She shook her head. No.. No. She shouldn't be thinking about that. She was there now, to make a new life for herself. To start over. Thinking back and berating herself would do nothing but either prevent or prolong that new start from happening, keep her from pushing forward.
Oh, but it was so hard to do that, to not wish she could go back, to do things over. She did wish she could do things over, to do right by those she wronged. But the only way she could do that now was to make things up with her brother and her mother, prove to them she wasn't that love-struck girl anymore. That she's grown, that she knew better. That she wouldn't leave again..
She couldn't leave again. She couldn't hurt anyone else, break their hearts.
Maybe she could heal with these people in her life once more, no longer cowering under Greg's abusive shadow. Hell.. She already felt better about herself now that he wasn't apart of her life anymore.
And maybe.. Maybe she could help her family heal to.. They deserved a break. They all-
The sound of an ambulance's siren blaring loudly broke Valerie from her train wreck of thoughts. She looked up into the rear-view mirror and saw flashing lights behind her. Quickly, she pulled over to the side, watching as the vehicle flew by in a white blur, slowed just enough to turn so that it didn't topple over. Onto her street...
A moment of panic flooded over her, and she started to drive again, turning onto her street. She let out a soft cry as she saw the ambulance was parking in her driveway.
"Nononononononononononononononononono..." Valerie muttered as she pulled to a stop a little ways away. She exited the truck to see Mrs. Ripley standing in Mama's yard, a worn hand resting upon her chest. Paramedics were rushing into Danice's house.
"Mrs. Ripley! What's going on? What happened?!"
The elderly woman turned to face the young woman, almost surprised to see her there. But just for a second. It quickly disappeared, turning back to worry. "Dear! I'm so sorry. Yer mama... She ain't doin' too good.. She just.. She's been stressin' so hard, so much lately and just.. Her poor heart... It couldn't.."
Valerie didn't hear half of what the old woman said, too busy watching her Mama being carried out on a gurney by several men. Without excusing herself, she rushed over to them, walking right mext her mother's head. "Mama?!" Her eyes were closed; her chest barely rose and fell.
"Miss, please. Stand back." One of the men said to her with an authoritative tone as they carried Danice to the back of the ambulance.
"But that's my ma! I needa be with her. Please!"
The man ignored her for a second, irritating Valerie as he did so, so they could push Danice into the back. "Okay, fine. You can ride with her. But hurry up. We needa get going."
Before he could finish his sentence, she pushed herself into the back, sitting herself next to the bed and gripping her mother's hand tightly.
The doors slammed behind her and soon they sped off, sirens blaring even louder. But Valerie didn't here them. She couldn't hear anything...
Val paced back and forth in the hall outside her mother's room, her brows knitted together with worry. Sweat lightly trickled from her hairline. She'd have to move to the side to avoid being trampled by rushing doctors and nurses that would go by every now and then. Then she'd go back to her pacing, wringing her hands together. She hoped and prayed that Mama would be okay. Though, in the back of her mind, she knew.. She KNEW...
Mama's heart wasn't in the best condition to start with. Hasn't been for a long time. And according to the nurse who came to talk to Val, they weren't positive that Mama's heart was strong enough to make it through the night.. The heart attack.. Too severe.. Too massive. Mama wasn't going to make it..
But despite that nagging voice in the back of her head, telling her no amount of prayer could help her mother, she continues to hold onto her hope that Danice would prove everyone wrong, that she would get up screaming for a bottle of whiskey and a cigarette. The thought brought a soft chuckle to escape from her lips. She wanted to hold onto that hope, that thought..
A few minutes later, the door to Danice's room opened, and her doctor walked out. Val straightened up, hoping to hear any news. His jaw was tense as he rested a hand on her shoulder, then let her into the room.
Beep... beep... beep... beep...
The slow and unsteady beeping of the machine reached Valerie's ears. The gaps between each heartbeat grew in size. Danice's eyes were halfway open, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling. "Mama?" No answer. Just unsteady beeps and ragged breathing. "Mama." Not even a twitch. Val sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. She took Danice's hand in her's, lightly running her fingers along the old woman's knuckles. "Mama.. I'm so sorry.. For everything.. I.. I-I wish.. I hope that you can forgive me. Forgive me and be alright." Val's voice cracked as she spoke, tears beginning to well up and fall down her cheeks.
A single tear slowly welled up in Danice's eye, sliding down her cheek and onto the pillow beneath her. "Mama, I love you so much. So very much. You're.. You're gonna be fine. I know it. Gonna get better. Gotta bottle of whiskey for ya back at home, waiting for ya.." Val smiled down at her mother, the corners twitching just barely.
But then..
Beep...beep...beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..
Valerie's smile fell. No... No… She shook Danice's body. This was a joke. Some sick joke her mother seemed to have a knack for trying to pull. "Wake up!" she cried, furrowing her brows. "Wa-wake up!" She looked up at the door, hoping someone would come in and resuscitate her mother or that she'd wake up and go "HAHA!" No one came. So she picked herself up from the bed and rushed past the door. "Help!" She called out to passing doctors and nurses. "Someone, ple-"
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire began to fill the air, interrupting the girl. Valerie's eyes widened as everyone began to panic frantically in the hall. She was run into several times, almost falling to the ground. Strong arms caught a hold of her. A nurse had made sure she didn't fall and get trampled on, despite the commotion. "Go back in your room!" he yelled, his eyes not hiding his panic. "Lock your door!"
Val nodded and quickly ran back in the room. She locked the door, shaking. What's happenin'...? She asked herself. What's goin' on..?
She then heard shuffling behind her. Slowly turning around, she could see Danice sitting up in the bed, groaning softly. "Oh God, Mama.. You're okay." Danice turned around, looking at her daughter. She looked.. Different. Her eyes… they didn't hold their usual fire, their life.. "Mama? Are you… Wait.. Ma. What are you do- AAGH!"
Danice lunged at Valerie, snarling madly and drooling from the mouth. She raised her hands and tried to scratch at her daughter. What the hell..? Why was she..
Valerie had one hand at Danice's neck, trying to hold her back so she would bite her. She was trying to bite her, right? That's what it seemed.. Her other hand kept swatting at her flailing hands. She tried to push the crazed woman off of her, screaming loudly as she struggled beneath her.
Her screams, mixed with the hungry snarls, were so loud, ringing in her ears and distracting her from the banging and kicking against the door.
She struggled even harder, somehow managing to get the soles of her feet up under the larger woman, under her stomach, and kicked at her with all her might. Danice stumbled back, falling onto her back as Val crawled away, frantically trying to scramble to her feet. She watched in horror as her mother picked herself from the hard and cold floor.
"Ma.." Val only sobbed, backing away and pressing herself against the wall. This wasn't her mother.. That much was clear to her. This-this was a monster...
Danice- no... this monster...- reached out for Valerie's trembling form, snapping, growling.. Valerie closed her eyes and turned her head, bracing herself for what came next. She could feel her. Feel her cool fingers grip Valerie's arm so hard, she winced. Surely, there'd be a bruise.. She could hear the snarls grow. She could-
A loud bang made the quivering woman jump and let out a squeal. She cried out when the grip around her arm loosened, hearing the thump of a body falling to the ground. She slowly opened her eyes, one at first then the other, and gasped. Her mother was laying on the ground, eyes open and even more lifeless than they already were. At the center of her forehead was the hole where a bullet had burst through her head. A trail of blood seeped from the wound, pooling onto the ground..
"Are ya gonna stand there all day, shakin' like a leaf, or are ya gonna get the hell outta here with me?"
~~A/N: Whoa.. That's one long first chapter. XD Waaaay past my two-thousand word quota. Just.. Got a little carried away. Oh well. I like long chapters. :) Well. I hope y'all enjoy. I've had this idea rolling around in my head for a while and just soo happy to of been able to finally post it. :D Hope y'all like it. More to come. Leave a review and tell me what you guys think. :)