Chapter 2
OUT!
Bright, glaring sunlight leaking through the curtains of Danica's bedroom window awoke her. She yawned, rubbing the tiredness from her eyes. She climbed out of bed and switched on the computer Zack had bought her. (He thought the computer would keep her out of his way) then headed off to take a shower.
Zack is Danica's step father. He changed for the worse after Leanne died of lung cancer but never resulted to physical abuse(not yet anyway), just lots of screaming, and mental abuse He just loved Leanne more than anything and having her daughter around was a consist reminder of her death.
Danica managed to make it out of the bathroom with 10 minutes before Zack would wake up. She wore a pair of sweats, an oversized t-shirt that hung loosely on her thin frame and pulled her black hair in a messy bun. She never bothered to keep up her appearance. Who would see her but Zack? It was summer and she had graduated a month before.
She sat down at the computer and she was immediately greeted.
FTS: Sleep well?
Danica couldn't keep back a grin.
PA: Pleasant, thanks. You?
FTS: I didn't sleep
PA: You must be tired.
FTS: Not really
PA: I'd be exhausted!
FTS: I'm used to it.
PA: You're not a stalker are you?
Danica could have kicked herself for such a stupid question. Like a stalker would actually tell her if he was a stalker.
FTS: -laughs- No not a stalker. Why?
PA: Just making sure. For all I know you could be a 40 year old fat man, munching on a Twinkie wanting to meet me so you can have your way with me.
FTS: I assure I'm not a stalker/rapist/murderer. Nor am I fat or like Twinkies.
PA: -gasps- How can you not like Twinkies! Their wicked! Golden fatting sponge cake with creamy filling, can't get better then that!
FTS: I'm not a big food fan.
PA: That's just plain weird!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! She nearly fell out of my chair at the sound of Zack's alarm clock.
PA: I have to do something, will you wait about 15 minutes?
FTS: Sure
Danica rushed downstairs to the kitchen. She scurried around throwing breakfast together for Zack. He always gets extra grumpy without eating. She placed it on the table and ran back up stairs, not wanting Alec to sign off.
PA: Sorry had to make breakfast for Zack
FTS: Zack?
PA: Stepfather
FTS: What about your mom?
PA: She died a year ago of lung cancer
FTS: My parents died years ago but I have my foster parents and adoptive siblings
PA: lucky! –eyes widen- Not that your parents died but that you have siblings. All I have is Zack
FTS: No other family?
PA: None.
Danica didn't know exactly why she typed the next question, maybe it was just her obsession with dreary weather.
PA: Is it raining there?
FTS: Yes, always, there?
PA: No, sunny, always sunny! Trees?Is there lots of trees?
FTS: Lots of trees.
It sounded like a perfect place to her. She'd love when the family camping trips when she was little, the spell of pine and fresh rain, the idea of hiking through a dense forest. She hated California and its heat.
FTS: And you call me a stalker! If you want to know where I live just ask
PA: Would you mind?
FTS: Not at all
PA: Where do you live?
FTS: Forks, Washington
"Danica get your ass down here, now! My food's cold!" Fear struck Danica as a voice boomed from the kitchen. She typed hurriedly
PA: Shit! Zack's yelling got to go! DON'T be surprised if you don't hear from me in a while
FTS: WHAT! WAIT!
She barely had time to catch is last IM before she shut down the computer.
By the time Danica was down stairs, trying to keep from crying. "I'm sorry! Shall I heat it up for you?"
"I don't know how much I can take of this." Zack's voice was deadly calm. He pushed a hand through his dusty blonde hair, as his hazel eyes flared at her. "I don't ask much of you, just a clean house, proper meals and for you to keep to your room in your free time."
Danica stared at the floor sharp blue eyes blazing. What he had said angered her. She barely had free time between the cleaning, cooking, shopping, making sure the bills were payed, gardening, not to mention her job at the bookstore. It had been twice as hard when she had school.
"I'm sorry it won't happen again." She mumbled.
"No computer for a week and don't leave your room with the exception of making meals! Understood?" Her stepfather snapped at her.
"Yes sir" She replied through gritted teeth almost choking on the 'sir'.
It was the fourth day of punishment and Danica was getting anxious. She was afraid that Alec thought she had forgotten about him or that she no longer wished to talk to him. The thought never crossed her mind though. Talking to Alec made her forget Zack and her home life. He made her smile for the first time in a long while.
At the same time she was scared. Why could a complete stranger bring a smile to her face so fast! They only had two short conversations.
Danica pushed those thoughts aside. It was not as important as the idea of losing the one thing that could take her mind somewhere other than trying to please Zack. For once she was doing what she wanted.
Danica glanced at the clock. 11:30. Straining her ears she could hear Zack's snoring in his room. She slowly hopped off the bed finding the way to her desk with no problem in the dark. She spent so much time in her small room she could easily maneuver around blind folded if she had too. She unplugged the speakers of the computer first before turning it on. She hoped Alec would be on, because she was taking a big risk. She did not want to think about Zack's reaction if he found out.
She wanted to scream with joy when a message popped up.
FTS: What happened?
Danica tried to type as softly as she could.
PA: What happened when?
FTS; After, the whole 'Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me in a while.'
PA: I just got grounded, is all.
FTS: Oh. Why?
PA: Um… Because his breakfast was cold?
FTS: What!
FTS: Why would ground you for that?
PA: How old are you?
FTS: You're avoiding the subject!
PA: How old are you?
FTS: Stubborn are we? I can be just as bad!
PA: How old are you?
FTS: 107
PA: How old are you?
FTS: -sighs- 17. You?
PA: That wasn't hard was it! Just turned 18 a few weeks ago.
FTS: Happy belated birthday!
PA: Thanks.
FTS: Did you have a party?
PA: Who would I have invited, my invisible friend Neal and the ghost in the attic?
PA: I'm not into parties much.
FTS: Sounds like you'd get along with Bella.
PA: Bella?
FTS: Adoptive sibling. She hates parties, even though Alice had been trying to convince her otherwise for years.
PA: Alice another adoptive sibling?
FTS: Yes, I have six. We're all adopted.
PA: Wow! I bet there is never a dull moment in your household.
FTS: Nope, complete chaos.
FTS: So why would Zack ground you for a cold breakfast?
PA: -groans- This again?
FTS: Just as stubborn as you.
PA: Look, it happens all the time, why is it such a big deal?
FTS: All the time!! What else does he ground you for?
PA: It's nothing, really!
FTS: Danica tell me!
Danica sat back in her chair, and stared at the screen not wanting to answer. Why did he want to know?
FTS: I'll sign off!
That caught her attention, she quickly began to type.
PA: I'm always grounded for one reason or other, rather I forget to wash a dish or there isn't enough food in the frig
PA: No big deal though, it's not as like I have anything better to do.
FTS: Does he hit you!?
PA: NO! He just gets angry when things aren't done and yells a lot.
FTS: YOU"RE 18! Why don't you move out!
PA: And go where?
That's when she heard it. Footsteps. Coming toward her room. She paled.
PA: He's awake got to goofdfgosfs
Danica was able to hit enter and the escape button right as she was pulled from her chair by her hair. She cried out in pain as she was thrown roughly to the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she crawled to her knees holding her arm she fell on to her chest. It throbbed and from the light from the computer screen she could tell her wrist immediately began to swell.
The sour smell of alcohol filled the air. Danica always stayed away from a drinking Zack. She seen enough to know he was a angry drunk and for her own health she'd always leave the house, not wanting just a screaming stepfather to turn into an abusive one. She read, that abuse was like drugs, once someone hits another they'll never be able to stop.
"I told you no COMPUTER!" The big man yelled. Pain erupted across her cheek, the slap to her face knocked her off her knees and onto her injured arm. Danica rolled onto her stomach, sobbing into the carpet. "I gave you everything you little bitch and this is how you repay me! I WANT YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE IN 5 MINUTES!." With a sharp kick to her unprotected side he stormed out her room.
With a yelp Danica managed to pick herself off the floor. Eyes blurry with water she grabbed a duffle bag from her closet and began to stuff it with as much clothes as possible. She reached under her pillow and added the photo that was there on top.
Slinging the bag over her shoulder and slipping on a pair of shoes she raced out of the house to her beat up car she'd bought herself.
With one last look to the now rundown childhood home she drove off into the night.
An: Reviews anyone?