Insert generic disclaimer here.
2100 ZULU
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
The night was dark as rain slashed against her window. Inside the apartment building a lone figure sat staring at the flame of a single flickering candle. She hated these nights, when storms sprung up causing the power to go leaving her in darkness. In the middle of the raging wind memories would spring up from the depths of her mind. They would start appearing slowly, making her think that if she tried hard enough she could push them back down. But she never could. They would lurk there for a bit, almost as if they were deciding which memory would get to torment her first. As the light from the flame danced before her eyes the first tendrils of a memory started to become clearer. They formed into shapes until eventually she could see a girl lying in a bed. The weather outside was much like tonight but that was not what put the look of fear on the child's face. A voice drifted up the stairs and down the hallway into the room in which she lay. It was loud, accusing and mean. After a moment the words became recognizable and both Mac and the child in bed cringed at them.
"Where the hell did you put the money Deanne?"
A sound like flesh hitting flesh could be heard and a women's whimpering pleas sounded.
"Please Joe I don't have any. You took the last of it last night, please believe me Joe, please."
A door slamming caused the house to shake. A car in the driveway started and left with a screeching of tires. The child in bed buried her face in the pillow, tears leaking from her eyes.
The glow from the candle highlighted a single tear sliding down her face before Mac could wipe it away. Slamming her fist on the table more unwanted tears slipped out. Folding her arms on the surface she lay her head down crying.