Split Chapter 5

Just ask him. It's not a big deal. It's just a stupid birthday party, your making too much of this now, this is ridiculous! Her mind was running a mile a minute. On one hand she didn't want to go at all. But on the other something was calling her to go. What a strange feeling she thought. She leaned against the railing on the top of the staircase staring at the large TV screen. Her uncle sat in his recliner chair watching River Monsters. She waited for a commercial to come on so she could go ask. Casey dreaded going down to the living room, it was dark and the curtains were never pulled up not once. She made her way down and slowly eased her way over.

"What are you watching?" She asked already know what the show was.

"River Monsters, the bastard catches bigger fish than I ever did." He said loudly taking a sip from his beer bottle.

Casey sat on the edge of the couch, she didn't want to get too comfy in front of him that's for sure.

"What are you doin down here anyways? Your always in your cave upstairs." He said chuckling a bit at his own joke.

Casey held her jacket tightly together around her body.

"So..., I got this invite..., and-"

"Oh man! Did you see that?!" He shouted pointing his finger at the screen seeing the fisherman arm getting bitten by a shark.

Casey got startled from his obnoxious shouting over a stupid TV commercial.

"What an idiot." He muttered to himself.

Casey just stared at him feeling annoyed as she tried to speak.

"To a birthday party and I think I might go-"

"No way."

"What?" Casey squinted her eyes a bit and moved her head forward in confusion, at his quick response.

"I said. No." He said again.

"But..., why? It's just a birth-"

"Do you think I'm stupid?" He asked staring at her.

Casey stared back but said nothing in return still feeling confused.

"I can guarantee you that this "Party" is trouble. A turning 18 year old slut going out late at night, and hitting on everyone or anything she sees, and I will not allow you to go and be exposed to that type of behavior." He said nonchalantly but in a passive aggressive tone.

"What are you talking about? It's just a simple party with..., friends."

"Who's friends? Her friends you mean, cuz they ain't yours. You don't have any friends. And now all of the sudden you have an invitation to a fuck fest."

Casey didn't know how this conversation was going to end. Her uncle took a long sigh.

"Will there be boys there?" He asked sternly.

Casey wasn't entirely sure on that, but she had to answer quick.

"Uh- I don't think so." She said looking down at her boots for a moment.

"You think, or do you know?" He continued to stare at the TV screen.

"What- NO! Uh- just forget it never mind!" Casey stormed up shaking her head feeling aggravated at this point and needed to get away.

"Now wait a minute, hold up." He said struggling to get up from his seat.

Casey was halfway up the stairs but didn't continue.

"You don't get to be mad at me, I'm trying to protect you from people who just want to get into your pants."

"This is psychotic! It's just a stupid birthday party and it would just be this once! I never get to do anything with my life!" She yelled leaning over the railing.

"Your life?! Your life is here with me and to take care of me as I did for you all these years!" He shouted.

Her uncle just stared at her in a serious manner. This was not her dream to live here with him for the rest of her life. He'll abuse her in many ways for the rest of her sad life. She never asked for anything from him and just this once was the biggest deal in history.

"I better not see you makin out with some boy now you hear me!" He said pointing a finger at her.

Casey said nothing but stared at him with dead hateful eyes.

"You never go out anyways, you're so pale. Get a tan already maybe you could look better for me for once." He said turning around going back to his seat as he crashed on it loudly.

Casey returned upstairs to her room and shut the door. For the first time in Casey Cooke's life she actually got her way. This was a big shock for her.

But now she needed a gift.

September 12, 2:20pm

She was twenty minutes later but who was counting, it's not like she would cry over it. She was on the bus on her way to the mall. With a present on her lap wrapped in gold wrapping paper with a plain white bow perched on top. It was in the attic crawlspace with all the old Christmas ornaments and decorations. Seeing that she didn't have very much money for a new gift Casey just regifted the present she got from last years Christmas by her Uncles friends wife. Pretty weird right, someone she just met for the first time gave her a gift, but it was a nice gesture. It was a Macy's box with perfume and two things of lotion inside. It was wrapped beautifully, but not her cup of tea. If Casey had to use any type of perfume it would be dark violet.

The bus came to a complete stop near the parking lot of the malls entrance. Most of the people were getting up from their seats and making their way to the exit. Casey held her gift tightly to her chest squeezing in-between all the clutters of people. She walked towards the entrance doors trying to search for the food court. This mall was indeed huge with crowds of people everywhere. That's why Casey didn't come here very much, it's just too crowded and tight for her.

Finally coming across the cafeteria with many delectable choices of food. Casey needed to find a restaurant though, it was towards the end next to the malls other entrance. Reading the sign above saying "Gotham Bar & Grill" Casey walked inside.

Right away seeing everyone at the table sitting and walking around talking loudly to one another.

"Oh hello! Nice to see you Casey, come sit, my daughter is right over there." The man said with a happy welcoming tone.

"Sorry I'm late, the bus was-"

"That's ok hun, go join the rest of the group! I'll be at the bar with the adults." He said guiding her to the large table.

The man took off and Casey approached the large table. Everyone was laughing and talking and taking pictures of everyone together. Casey saw Claire at the end of the table and made her way around to approach her.

"Happy Birthday Claire." Casey said putting a small smile on her.

All the girls around Claire looked up including her with shock.

"Oh hi, uh- I didn't think you would show." She said chuckling.

"Well why wouldn't I, you invited me." Casey said shrugging her shoulders feelings a bit unwelcome.

"Well we thought you wouldn't come because you have strict parents." One other girl said interjecting.

Casey just nodded her head not wanting to comment on that response.

"Well, I got you this so, here." Casey said handing her the gift.

"Oh yeah! Guys let's open presents!" Claire yelled out for everyone to hear.

Everyone shouted at once grabbing their gifts and cards throwing it towards Claire's side of the table. The girls got up quickly surrounding the birthday girl pushing and shoving Casey out of the way like she wasn't even there. The boys just sat in their seats close to her.

Casey still had the gift in her hands feeling a bit shut out from the group.

"Ok who's first!?" Claire shouted with joy.

"Me! Me! Me! Me! Oh, pick me! Me! Me! Over here! Me!" Everyone shouted at the same time with their hands up towards the birthday girls' directions begging to be picked.

Casey rolled her eyes and took a sigh as she sat at the end of the table. All the closer seats were taken, Casey placed her gift on the table in front of her.

"I pick Marcia!" Claire said pointing a finger at her.

She squealed with happy teen spirit as she handed her the birthday gift. Claire opened the gift without hesitation.

"OMG! You got me pink Beats!?" Claire hugged her friend with joy.

Beats Casey thought, aren't those really expensive? That's a crazy gift for someone, even for a friend. Meanwhile Casey buys her headphones at GameStop because it's a little cheaper. She mentally laughed at that. It sucks not having money.

"Ok next!" She blurted out loud.

Everyone started yelling and talking again all at once.

"Sptt, hey why did you invite her?" One girl whispered to her while the rest were talking loudly.

"Who?" Claire whispered back leaning in towards her.

"The weird, helloooo, why did you invite her? She's not even your friend." The girl whispered with a girly attitude.

"Oh yeah why did you invite her!?" One guy yelled over Tammy's head.

"Oh my god will you shut up David! She right there hello wake up!" The girl said silently through her teeth.

"Whatever." David said pushing the back of her head with his finger. Tammy swatted him away with annoyance.

"It was a mercy invite Tams, my dad made me do it, she was in my contact list I forgot to delete it. My dad saw, what was I going to say." Claire said.

"That's she's insane, don't you remember in high school. God I'm so glad we left." Tammy said taking a sip from her glass.

"Oh, I remember and don't remind me." Claire said putting a hand up.

"Ew I wouldn't even had both to be honest. Look at her, she's dressed like she's going hiking on Mount Everest." The girl laughed and Claire giggled as well.

"Omg ok, ok chill. Now where's my present bitch!" Claire said joking.

After an hour and a half of opening presents Casey started to fall asleep on the present around her arms.

"Oh. My. God. You got me a dildo, you are such an ass David!" Claire whispered but loud enough for him to hear.

The boys started to laugh out loud at one another like a bunch of immature little boys.

"Boys. Am I right?" Claire said giggling with all the other girls.

"Well, I guessss that's it. Well thank y-"

"Uhhh you got one more." Tammy said pointing her finger at Casey's directions smirking.

The other girls followed her finger and saw Casey eating some bread and butter. They laughed and whispered to each other.

"I think I saw her put bread in her pocket at one point." One of the other girls said.

"OMG Nikki me too!" Tams said laughing.

"Would you guys just stop it already." Marcia said.

"What we're just having fun. It is a birthday party after all." Tammy said rolling her eyes.

"Maybe we should throw more bread to get her attention." Tammy said with a smug face.

"Here's more bread for the red head!" David shouted throwing a basket of bread on Tammy's plate.

"Oh my god not me David! You're so stupid sometimes!" Tammy threw her head back in frustration.

"Fine, whatever. Don't be mad cuz I forgot the butter." David said throwing one of the breads in his mouth.

Claire and everyone else starting laughing.

"Ahem, back to what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by David here! One more gift down the road." Tammy took another sip of her drink.

"Hey Casey!" Claire shouted down the table trying to get her attention.

Casey looked over seeing everyone was staring at her. What an uncomfortable feeling being stared down at when eating.

"Yeah?" She asked quietly.

"I never got to see what you got me." Claire said smiling widely.

Casey took the golden gift and passed it down to the girl next to her and so fourth until it reached Claire. Claire observed it with wide eyes, without hesitation she tore apart the wrapping paper. Taking the white bow and smacked it on David's forehead. Casey made a small laugh at that action. Everyone leaned in to see the gift.

"Why is there designs of Christmas Trees all over the box?" Tammy asked giving her a dirty look.

Casey struggled to say something, anything.

"Well- I-"

"Hey, it's the breakfast club! Just kidding, what's goin on guys having fun?!" Mr. Benoit chimed cheerfully checking in on everyone.

"Awesome bread Mr. B! So good!" David shouted shoving bread in his mouth with his friends laughing childishly behind him. David was taller than Mr. Benoit but he wasn't smarter that's for sure.

"Oh my god David enough with the stupid bread already!" Tammy whipped around nagging towards him. David mimicked her face when she yelled at him making everyone laugh.

Casey was glad everyone forgot about her present. She took a deep breath of relief.

Soon being 4:45 the party was coming towards an end. The group was taking photos of each other one last time screaming and hollering Happy Birthday with delight. Casey stared aimlessly into nothing still feeling motionless, empty, even after all this she still wasn't entirely satisfied. She was still filled with sadness deep down inside. Everyone started to leave. Casey went towards the giant windows of the restaurant retrieving her phone from her jacket pocket. She called her Uncle to pick her up.

"So, did you have fun sweetie?" Mr. Benoit asked his daughter smiling.

"Ya it was cool. The best part was the presents." She laughed.

"Are you ready to go girls?" The father asked.

"What about Casey she hasn't left yet?" Marcia asked looking towards Casey's direction.

"I'm sure she'll be fine; we can go now." Claire said eagerly already to leave.

"Hold on there, we are not going until she gets picked up." He said sternly.

Casey got off the phone feeling more annoyed than ever. She started walking towards the group that still remained behind.

"The uh car broke down. I'm just gonna take the bus." Casey wasn't surprised that it would break down once again.

"No, you're not taking the bus, I'll drive you home." He said.

Casey didn't argue with that; it could save her some cash.

"Alrighty then, let's go girls!" The father leads the way to the exit.

He watched like a hawk waiting for his prey to come out. He had his cap on, keeping a low profile, until he spots his target. He stood still on corn of the street with his hands in his pockets. This was it; all his hard work had finally paid off. He will be free of this guilt, the pain within will cease to exist. She promised him he would do good, that he can control his fatal demons. It was all just a matter of patients now.

Turning his head slowly seeing the targets come out into the street. The two were acquired, soon noticing another one tagging along with them. They started to walk towards the giant parking lot, and he did the same. Keeping up with their pace, trying to get a good look of the new third target. This was not part of the plan; everything could go wrong in a second if he made an error.

She seemed to be walking slower than the rest, Dennis took advantage. Quickly without being seen he dashed ahead reaching behind a huge Ram truck. Taking a small peak around the corner of it to get a better look at this girl. His eyes widen a bit and his brows knitted tightly together. He knew this one, he could have sworn he'd seen her somewhere before. That long brunette hair, that curvy figure, all those layers.

He stopped breathing; it was her.

It has almost been two months since he'd seen this girl, she treated him nice, unlike others. He remembered taking off his jacket when he got home and the ten-dollar bill he refused to take from her fell out of his pocket. Till this day he still doesn't understand how she got it in there without him feeling anything.

But the plan, the impure, the savior that was going to come to protect them all. She's not supposed to be here. This wasn't supposed to happen. He started to get angry and frustrated with himself. What if he did take her too, she would already know who he is though, that would destroy everything he worked for in the end. It's just a matter of seconds he had to make a decision now. This was his time.

There all impure he thought, there all the same, none of them have truly suffered a day in their pathetic lives. Dennis reminded himself why he is doing this, why this needs to happen. To show the world who we truly are, who we will become.

They made their way to the car. Dennis was breathing heavy as he started walking again. The car doors unlocked noticing the girl made her way to the front seat of the car. Watching the father put the accessories in the truck.

This is it. He was doing this for a reason. The words repeated over and over and over.

"Can I help ya?"

Dennis froze once the man spoke to him, instantly forgetting everything all at once. He felt like he was going to collapse as he looked in the rear mirror on the side of the car where she sat. Staring at her soft face.

"Sir?" The man spoke again.

Dennis eyes shot up at him.

"Are you ok?" He asked feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Dennis started to breath heavy and looked to his left. The man did the same at this point taking a long look behind himself wondering what the man was staring at.

"Do you need me to call 911 or somethin-"he stopped mid-sentence seeing the man had completely disappeared as he turns back around.

He grabbed the rest of the food and placed it in the cars truck. Still looking around for the odd man but nowhere to be seen in plain sight. That was a good thing the man thought as he entered into the car door and locked it immediately.

"Ok girls I think I had enough of this place!" The father said chuckling nervously.

Casey looked out the window silently as he drove away. Watching everything that passes by.

He sat in his car with his hands holding the steering wheel tightly. His head was down, he failed.

"I was doing this for a reason."

Author's Note

Thank you everyone for reading my story! COMMENT let me know what you think so far! ;)

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