Chapter 24: Feeding time
It was time. Holly gulped nervously; Uncle Vernon was working late today so she was going to have to do this herself. She found herself shaking- was this anxiety or fear?
She shook her head firmly- she has been through plenty worse than this; in comparison to everything else this seemed like nothing. She gripped the tray harder, gathered her wits and knocked softly on the wooden door with a gold carving of 'Dudley' on it.
"A-auntie? It's me. M-may I come in?" She knew that there would be no answer (like always) but it was polite to knock and without wasting a second, she opened the door and entered.
Dust was the first thing that assaulted her vision. It was everywhere and it seemed to stick around the room like glue. She knew that if she took a few steps forward she would clearly be able to see her footprints.
She coughed and squinted her eyes as she tried to locate her aunt- 'Ah, there she is!'
This time her aunt was sitting on the bed leaning on the wall, her eyes closed. Her legs were pulled up and her once white dress had already aged considerably in such a short time and was gray and covered in dust itself. Holly frowned upon seeing her- the rare moments when they came inside the room she would always be in a different position- and this was great news, as Uncle Vernon would state. "This means she's at least moving…"
Holly left the tray with soup and a loaf of bread on the table gently as to not let any of the dust spoil the meal. She pulled out the curtains and opened the window, letting in much deserved fresh air in the room.
"You should open the window more often Auntie." She said softly and smiled lightly. "H-how else will the sunshine reach you?"
Her question was not answered and her auntie had refused to even open her eyes. Holly frowned and moved to take the soup; it was always like this, whenever Holly came alone to feed her. When she came with uncle Vernon it was different- auntie would first ask him who he was and when he answered, her eyes would light up softly and a small smile covered her face as she let him feed her. She would always whisper things such as "Oh Vernon, you've changed so much dear… why? Dudley wouldn't like it… He's always looked up to you, you know…"
But then her eyes would land on her and her face would turn scornful and she would quickly look away and give her attention to Uncle Vernon with a smile. Holly knew that auntie hated her- and so did Uncle Vernon. But he said that it was best for both of them to be there for her- so she could realize that she still had a family. That she could move one. "Try to bear it Holly… she never truly hated you… and she doesn't even now…"
Such lies.
Holly was grateful for her uncle's support; but she knew that auntie hated her. Perhaps she didn't before (she doubted it though) - but she did now.
"It is hard for a mother to lose her child… because it is against nature. A mother should never see her child die…" Those were the words of Mrs. Figg who knew quite clearly the condition which auntie was in. Before she was simply a babysitter and the nice old lady across the street… but now she was a great asset and friend.
Holly sat at the edge of the bed, slightly fearing if auntie might strike her. She never did, but Holly was always extremely careful. Unfortunately, her hand wasn't that long and she had to scoot closer. She carefully took a spoon filled with soup and brought it to her auntie's lips who slowly sipped, her eyes not even opened.
Yes it was always like this. Auntie would completely ignore her mere existence and act as she wasn't even here- only eating the food when brought to her lips.
It was always like this… so why would today be any different?
But it was. Holly never saw it coming- it was one of those sudden changes in life which just sprung up on you out of nowhere.
"Why…" Holly blinked in surprise- she almost thought she heard a small whisper- and she stopped and looked at the moving lips of her aunt.
"Why…" It was louder now and Holly clearly heard it and she laid the spoon in the soup. She blinked in confusion- and then her eyes were wide and fearful.
"Why, why, WHY!?" Her aunt had thrown away the bowl and grabbed Holly's wrist tightly- her eyes now fully opened and glaring. "Why did he have to die?" She cried out in her hoarse voice. "Why wasn't it YOU?"
Holly could not move- her breath was stolen as her auntie's face loomed over here. Those blue eyes held so much hatred, disgust, sadness and pure madness in them. They pierced Holly's very soul and for a moment Holly truly thought she was going to die.
And just as her auntie's face had come it was gone, and Holly suddenly found herself in the safety of the kitchen, breathing hard. At the moment she thought it was just her imagination running wild.
Until she heard the loud wails from upstairs.
A/N: I will be frank with all of you… this chapter sucks -.- I thought I might be able to show my appreciation for the people that still follow this…this… piece of crap of a writer (and story). I even made it into two pages- as an apology for not updating in two days- I've been away. I thought that I could create a better chapter- WRONG. I screwed up…considerably. Failed to the point of no return.–sighs miserably-
Q: If any of you had managed to read this disastrous chapter let me know what you think happened in the end. (Although it's pretty obvious)