Written For:

The Only One Character Challenge: Round 5

Main Prompt: As this is the final round it will be tough. Below you will find three lists, you will claim one thing from each list as soon as possible. These will be your puzzle pieces for your fic; oh, and did I mention, your challenge will be to write, not a one-shot, not a two-shot, but a three-shot.

Restriction: You cannot use past tense

Title (main fic title or chapter title): Spiraling

Issue (does not have to be main story topic but clearly referenced): Your character dealing with a personal trauma.

Prompts: (word) knitting / (word) television / (random prompt) Your character must be injured in some way

xXx

Chapter 2: Spiraling

Hermione is failing. She isn't failing in gym like she normally does. Well, she is, but no one thinks that it's weird that she can't throw a softball, shoot a basketball into a hoop, or dodge the red rubber ball of death.

No, what has her teacher raising an eyebrow at her is she's failing in academics. She's doing poorly in English, Math, Science, and History. She has never gotten anything below an "A', but now she's bringing home D's and F's.

Her teacher has asked her if she wants to talk about it. Hermione says, "No, Mrs. Sweetin."

Her teacher returns with, "Are you sure, Hermione? Talking might help."

Once again, Hermione answers, "No, Mrs. Sweetin." All the while, she wears a polite smile on her face.

Her teacher holds her hands behind her back. "Hermione, are you having problems at home?"

Hermione maintains her smile. "Of course not."

It's a lie of course. There are problems at home. Her parents' fighting is worse every day.

She's afraid they'll get a divorce. Maybe, just maybe, if they're distracted enough, like by their studious daughter doing badly in school, they'll stop fighting and focus on her.

She sure hopes that's the case.

X

Her mom's arms are crossed and her foot taps against the tile floor. "Is there a reason that your grades have fallen?"

Hermione wordlessly shakes her head.

"Maybe if you put down your knitting needles, you could help our daughter with her homework," her dad accuses.

Her mom glares at him. "First of all, she only has to ask if she needs to help, and I'd be happy to assist her. I'm not a mind reader, and if she doesn't ask, I don't know. Second of all, there's no reason that you can't help. We get home at the same time every night after all.

And that's when they turn their ire from Hermione to each other.

Hermione slumps in her seat. Not only are her grades failing, but her plan is failing as well.

X

Hermione does more to get her parents' attention. She doesn't just get bad grades. She acts out in class, being held back at dismissal because of her disruptive behavior. She starts talking back to teachers, getting into fights with other kids, and even destroying the school's books and other property.

She's spiraling, and it's all to get her parents' attention on her. It doesn't work, though.

Any anger they feel about Hermione's actions, they turn on each other and start blaming the other for Hermione's bad behavior.

No matter what she does, it looks like she might not be able to save her parents' marriage.

It all comes to a head one sunny afternoon.

Hermione sits on the front lawn, trying to tune out her parents' bickering in order to read.

Their shouting keeps distracting her, especially as their words grow crueler with increasing frequency.

Hormone gets fed up and throws her book to the ground as she stands up. "Can't you two just stop fighting!" she screams.

Her vision blurs because of tears, and she turns around and flees.

She hears frantic shouts for her to 'stop' and 'wait,' but she doesn't listen to her mom or dad. She's tired of caring about what they want.

She needs to run away. She needs to get away from the constant tension. She just wants to be free from the emotional torment she's suffering because of them.

She doesn't see the car coming, but she feels the pain as it connects with her small body.

She barely has time to cry out as darkness claims her.


(Chapter WC: 604)