It's been the same schedule for the past 4 years, but it never seemed to get easier. It's always better when her father is out, those are her lucky days. She doesn't have to listen on those days, she isn't forced to participate in anything those days. She can go straight to her room, hide from everything, and lock him out. Today wasn't a lucky day.
"You know, she'd still be here if it weren't for you." He slurred in her general direction from his seat on the couch.
It wasn't anything she hadn't heard before. She knew it was true too. All of it. She was the last one to talk to her mom. She had asked her to hurry home, told her she was scared. She never made it home though. She didn't even make it to the highway.
Hanging her head she whispered out a simple "I know Pa.. I'm sorry.."
After the words had left her mouth she immediately regretted it. He was in front of her in a flash. The side of her face red and stinging. You can't do shit with sorry.
"It's nothing foundation can't cover up. Only two bruises, that's an easy fix!"
Looking into her mirror hung on the back of her door she gave herself one last once-over before supplying her reflection in the cracked glass a curt nod. Her eyes skirted to the lower left corner of the mirror, catching a glimpse of the light purple box under her bed. It was a box that she hadn't touched in nearly a year.
Turning, she took a few shaky steps across the floor to the edge of her bed before dropping to her knees beside it. Slowly pulling the box out until it was directly in front of her, she gently picked it up and placed it on the edge of her bed.
"Do I really want to do this? I don't even remember what I put in this.."
Squeezing her eyes shut she discarded the lid in one swift motion. Carefully peeking out of one eye she couldn't help but smile, it was a small smile, one could even argue that it wasn't a happy smile, but nevertheless it was a smile. On top of everything in the box was a picture of her family. The picture was taken in the backyard of their previous house, party decorations could be seen in the background, along with a few guests. Holding the photograph to her chest for several seconds she laid it back in the box, off to the side. Directly under that was a small grey bear. She had received that the same day, a present from the company that was hired to help with her party.
Picking the bear up and bringing it closer to herself she felt a small bit of paper stuck to the back of its head. A bit of paper that fell off soon after it was brushed against. Tossing the small bear up towards her pillow she placed the lid on the box and slid it back under her bed. The bit of paper had two words on it, two words and a phone number. She listens: 1 888-447-5595.
Picking up the paper she glanced over at her phone on her bedside table. Would it be too late to call? Would she even answer? It had been a year. What was it she use to say? Call anytime I'll always be here, or something like that. Grabbing her phone she quickly punched the number in then climbed into bed.
"She won't mind if I call. Its only 9pm. That's not too late.."
Taking a deep breath she leaned over and shut off her lamp, the hit the dial button on her phone. It rang once. Twice. Three times. Just as she was about to hang up she heard someone answer at the other end of the line. They weren't talking into the phone though, they were arguing with someone.
"I swear to fucking God, if you don't uplug this thing after 8 I WILL throw it away!"
"Just give me the phone, come on, what if its realllllly important!"
"They'd leave a message if it was!"
She heard a girl yelp after, then a scuffle. The line went quiet for a few seconds, soon a familiar voice piped up.
"Funny Business INC. Where your fun is my business!"
She gasped. It was a soft, quiet gasp, but still audible. The girl on the phone hummed slightly.
"Come on, is anyone there, or is this another prank call? As much as I appreciate pranks this one is getting a bit old, don't you think?" The girl sounded exasperated.
Steeling her nerves she answered, barely above a whisper "Do you think.. Maybe we could tak for a minute.. Please."
Her only response was once she should have been expecting, yet it still made her shiver.
"Is this.. Spooky?"