Chapter 2
'I walked in the door and flicked the light switch. The lone light bulb flickered for a brief second before fizzling out. Inwardly I groaned. I quickly placed my things down and grabbed a torch in the nook I'd discovered and made myself a quick dinner. I ate quickly hoping to avoid my mother. However I was unsuccessful for when I rounded the corner to head to bed she was standing there. The worn leather belt and it's gleaming sliver buckle being raised up and down, up and down a repeated motion that drove fear into ones heart. I took one look at her face and gulped; my fate this night was sealed. She raised her hand and the belt came crashing down with such a force that I fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. I tried to cry out but no sound escaped my lips. I hoped it was over but it didn't stop. It came a second, third forth. By the tenth time my back was howling in pain. Tears streamed down my face, Mom laughed!
She actually laughed!
She called me weak before grabbing my arm and with a freakish strength and shoved me in the cupboard. My body was howling in pain. Angry at me when I moved but I paid no attention all I wanted was my bed not the cold floor of the cupboard. I started pounding the door and jiggling the lock, nothing. She must have locked me in, I pounded harder…still nothing. Finally I pounded at the door with all the strength I could muster and screamed.'
I awoke In a cold sweat struggling to catch my breath. I felt disoriented as my eyes adjusted. Relief washed over me when I saw the form of Luke sleeping peacefully in his bed. Then I started to panic 'Had Luke heard me? Did I scream aloud?' Thoughts like that. Fresh air sounded good so I quietly removed the covers and slipped out of bed. I donned my jacket - I really need to get a new one since mine has holes and worn patch's all over - and tan work boots before making a hasty exit. Downstairs in the diner I made a quick cup of Coco in a to go cup and left the building locking the door behind me. The streets were empty as they should at…4 in the morning. I needed to be alone to gather my thoughts that were raging in my head since the dream. I needed to be alone until thepain still felt left my body. I wondered quietly down the streets to not cause a disturbance as lone tears rolled down my cheeks. I had no plan but to wonder aimlessly until the bridge came into view.
My sanctuary away from home.
The bridge is a safe place nestled at the edge of town just before the woods. The familiar trickle of water over the rocks in the far corner and gentle moonlight shine on the waters surface. I sat in my usual spot with my legs hanging over the edge nearly disturbing its calm. Away from Luke, away from town and it's wacky characters I felt my breath slowly return. The air had a chill which the coco warded off with each sip.
Coco. Who created the sweet substance? The warmth it delivered was welcoming, each sip helped ease the pain that I felt.
Pain. The scars littering my body had a kind of pain that never went away like a dull ache. The pain that reminds one of grief - it never truly goes away.
As I sat here I tried to settle my thoughts. I thought about things I'm thankful for. Well that's easy - Luke. I thought about what I don't miss - Mom. I thought about what I do miss - the library. Sitting here the moon shining on my back facing the water calm returned to me. A sense of calm, a sense of normalcy that's what Stars Hollow brings.