Until Dawn: Reclaiming Life
Chapter 4 of my Until Dawn story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Until Dawn or its characters.
Chapter 4
Ashley sat up in her room at home; she was still despondent. She sat on her bed, knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs and head buried in her arms. It had been several days since she had been released from the hospital and come home. To her, it was no different, she was still shut off from the outside and for good reason.
'There's no need to subject other people to the sight of my disfigurements.' She thought. 'Honestly, what can I expect out there; ridicule, pity; both are equally shameful.'
Suppressing a shudder; she bit back a sob and instead tried to find something else to focus on. Sadly, the only thing she could think about wasn't much better. In the time between her return home and now; things had changed.
'The police conducted a full investigation; still they have trouble believing what they've seen...I don't blame them.'
Nevertheless; it was clear the police now believed them; they had recovered charred remains of one of the Wendigos after all. They were keeping things quiet however; the Blackwood Pines Massacre was simply being written off as the actions of a 'now deceased' serial killer. Ashley understood the reason why the truth was being suppressed; but for her, it was a truth that would never go away; especially whenever she had the misfortune to see a mirror.
It was hard to explain the reasons and depths of her sorrow; she wasn't like Jess or Emily, for her, looks weren't the most important thing; but at least before she could consider herself somewhat presentable. Now, now he appearance was horrific, the mere sight of her face was bad enough; now she could no longer wear anything that showed her legs, or even her arms. It seemed there wasn't one part of her body that was scarred now.
'Now, thanks to them I'm, I might as well be separate from my family...Jake and Lisa; they shouldn't have to see this; it's not right or fair on them.' She noted despondently. 'They shouldn't be scared of their older sister; but now I've been disfigured, how could they even look at me now.'
But of course, just as she was reflecting on her difficulties in that regards, was when her mother called the family together for dinner. With a heavy sigh, Ashley finally stood from her bed; feeling stiff, but that was the least of her worries just now.
She began to make her way downstairs to join the rest of her family. She made her way to her usual seat at the table; she sat with her head bowed, trying to cover her face with her hair. Even so, she still peeked out, observing her family. It had been from her father Ashley inherited her hair and eye colour; her mother and Jake both had blonde hair and brown eyes.
Lisa meanwhile inherited the auburn red hair their father had, while inheriting her mother's brown eyes.
So dinner began, while Ashley tried to keep her face hidden; her parents shared a worried look, seeing and realizing just what she was doing.
"Ashley honey." Amy, her mother, said suddenly.
Ashley tensed. "Y-yeah?"
Her father, Joey, sighed. "We know what you're trying to do."
"I-I just..." She whispered.
Her mother shook her head. "You don't have to do this."
Doing her best to stay quiet, Ashley replied. "They shouldn't see this."
She was referring to her siblings; her parents knew that, but the main problem was convincing her otherwise.
"Ash." Lisa said suddenly.
Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her head, her hair pulling back, her scars gradually becoming visible.
"You don't have to hide those." Jake told her softly.
She bit her lip; trembling; amazed by how calm he was.
"It's okay...You're still my sister." Lisa said cheerfully. "Scars or no scars.
Ashley bit her lip, but slowly nodded, allowing herself a tremulous smile. Her siblings did not in fact seem scared, but, that still didn't change much; no matter what she tried.
Later, Chris sighed as he read the text he had just received from Ashley.
'God Ash, this is...she's still having such a hard time. She still can't.'
He couldn't deny he was worried, afraid for her; the way she had been acting. It was clear to him now; she was sinking deeper and deeper into a depression.
He shook his head. 'No, I; I can't, I can't leave this, she's in such a terrible state, believes...This is only going to get worse unless I do something, unless I show her the truth...'
He had to think now however, how exactly could he help her; show her. It wasn't going to be easy, not with things the way they were.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.