Chapter Two: A Breaking in the Dawn:
"Open your eyes, Damia." She did as her father instructed, her eyes wide with enjoyment. They had just moved into the neighbourhood. And right in the middle of her dining room, Damia stood on her chair, attempting not to sway the chair as her three layer birthday cake stood in front of her, the candles dancing in the summery breeze.
Damia looked up to get a glimpse of her father. He looked back, his smile lbeamed, ightly crinkling his green eyes as his dark brown hair attempted to hide them; her mother beside him, her wavy blond hair caressing her shoulder as she careened towards her daughter, messing about with Damia's hair and smiling. Her father coughed, taking her attention back, his smile returning.
"Happy seventh birthday, Dam." Her father's nickname rang through her ears and she smiled, missing her first two teeth. She wrapped her tiny arms around his bulky frame as he wrapped his big arms around her bony one. He picked her up, spinning her around before setting her down, her giggles contagious.
"Where are we going, papa?" Her big eyes filled with concern as she took his hand tightly. Her mother kissed her cheek, announcing when they got back, dinner would be ready. He grinned. Even though he was barely forty, he still stayed attuned to his childish self. Poking her gently, he grabbed the bat and glove, running out to the park.
"Last one to the parks a ugly egg," he shouted unfairly, as he was already there. Damia rushed to the park and was next to her father within seconds. He looked at her, shocked. Quickly, he handed her the bat, throwing her low tosses. About ten minutes later, she ran to the playground, saying boys drool, girls rule. Her father was on the bench, listening to her rants of why boys drool. Then, someone distracted him and Damia got down to take his attention away when the ice cream jingle paraded the park. Like any child, Damia stormed off, looking at the ice cream choices. Stopping in the middle of the road, she looked at the ice cream truck, then her dad and back to the ice cream. By this time, her father was running towards her. That was when she heard it. The ear-splitting honk of the truck coming towards her.
Damia bolted up, sweat trailing down her face and her heart pounding and tears blurring her vision. She looked at the taunting stare of the clock, the green glow boring back at her, the echo of three in her mind. Pulling her knees to her chest, she pushed her dark brown hair back only to hide her face in her arms.
"Don't stare you stupid child!" she scolded her younger self as if she could hear her. She re-in visioned her father's face, the gleam that disappeared, tears still forcing down her cheeks. Her eyes turned puffy and her vision was groggy. Finally, she stopped crying, wiping her tears quickly.
Just like any other day, Damia was dressed presentably and cranked the window open with force. The wind forced her to shiver, forcing her down the side of the house without fear. When she landed, her legs forced her to head into the direction East, her cravings getting the best of her as her legs traveled faster in the direction.
Streets were flooded with broken booze bottles, broken needles and empty vials, not to mention, litter. Her disgust wore on her face as she saw Manny, her drug dealer, ahead. Her uncertainty began to force her to turn back when he grabbed her arm.
"Done the set already?" He tsked, looking her up and down. Damia shivered as his finger intently slid up her arm seductively, his cruel smile turning into a smirk. After they were done, Damia picked up the dignity she had left and her one hundred vials of heroin, leaving her fifty dollars cash.
Daylight flashed as Damia crawled her way to the school, her eyes darting wildly with panic, biting her lip as she always did when she was upset. Blood began to seep and a river of red started. The school was ghostly, it's presence eerie to her. Not a single soul in sight. With a sigh, Damia pushed her way into the main entrance. The hallway was packed with students yelling and cheering. Shoving her way through, she saw Blake laughing, his eyes darted in the direction of another girl trying to pick up her books and glasses.
"Freak, go back where you belong." He kicked her, forcing her down. Damia bolted, her glares determined for his eyes.
"Back off Blake." She pushed him back, picking up the girl. Blake got up just in time for the principal to begin backing everyone through the hallway, leaving Damia and the new girl alone.
When her eyes fluttered open, fear flashed through her eyes followed by guilt. Damia smiled and helped her up.
"Hey, are you okay?" The girl nodded and looked around. When her eyes finally darted, she held out her hand.
"I'm Chelsea. Chelsea Thompson." Damia took her hand and shook it.
"Damia.. Damia Wilson." This was the beginning of their new friendship.
