Chapter 4: Morning Comes Early
A/N: Once again, I own nothing in this story. Except for whatever comes out of my little head. But it's not copyrighted. Hope you're enjoying the story, seeing as how you're on the 4th chapter.
I rolled over as the blankets were ripped off my body.
"Get up, now." My father growled in my ear.
I punched him square in the jaw. Bad idea, Karen. He pulled me out of the bed by my arm. I fell to the wooden floor with a thud. He opened the door to my room.
"You're lucky I didn't do more." Gotz said as he walked out.
I gave him the finger, to his back of course. Pulling myself up, I once again got dressed, and stumbled down the steps. Mom was cleaning up the plates from breakfast. Looks like I missed it.
I walked outside, taking my place by Kai. It was harvesting time. Buckets were scattered all over the yard. I picked up an empty one and got to work. Soon enough, the sun went down.
I trudged off to my night job at the bar, I was almost 18 now so most people didn't care. I could hear Kai's boots on the pavement behind me. I sighed, wondering why he was always in my shadow. However, I didn't say anything, I just kept on walking.
The bar was alive with chatter and drunken people everywhere. I tied an apron around my waist and got to work. I could see Ann sipping water with some guy. She always came here, but she never actually drank. There was Cliff, my cousin, with Gray. Talking about something, I couldn't hear their conversation. And finally, there was Kai, in the corner, by himself. He looked so pitiful for some reason. I felt bad for him. Well, no bother.
The time passed quickly, it was nearing one a.m. before everyone started to empty out. I cleaned up, taking the empty glasses off of tables. I was so tired of this, same thing everyday. I wanted to run away, to be free of this.
The bar was empty now, I locked the door behind me as I started home. The stars were out tonight. It really was beautiful here, I never really had time to witness it. So, instead of going home, I sacrificed my sleep and walked up the path to the mountain summit.
Coming here brought back some memories. I remembered that little boy who had come here, it was nearing ten years ago. In fact, it would be ten years this coming spring. I couldn't even remember his name now. Ok, so maybe I had tried to forget it. It was better this way. I knew he wasn't coming back. Everyone always broke their promises to me. That's why I never let anyone else get close, I guess.
Well, enough of these memories. Dawn would come soon. I walked back home, weary from the day. I kept my head down, watching my boots as they moved. I could hear another set of feet, but I didn't look up. Unfortunately, I collided with Kai right in front of the vineyard gate.
"Watch where you're going!" I snapped at him, glaring in his direction.
"I'm sorry, Miss Karen." He replied, his voice barely a whisper.
That wasn't like him. He opened the gate, which was unlocked for some strange reason. I followed him into the house.
