See? Two updates, one almost right after the other! But, you might have to wait a bit for the next chapter. Depends. Anyway, this chapter was a bit longer than the others. A little. Maybe. REEEAAAAD! GAAAAHH!

Hero for One

Chapter Five

Week Five: Crash

Day One

Dear diary,

Daddy still isn't home. Mommy still won't come out of her room. She makes me cook dinner for her. I guess it's okay, since I can cook better now. Before, everything I made was burnt. At least I can cook food now.

She doesn't like my cooking. I can tell. She doesn't complain about it, but she always glares at it, like it disgusted her. I really hope it doesn't taste bad. I don't want her to hit me again.

Keith still won't smile. I tried everything. He just won't smile. He's always frowning. Today, he was staring off into the sky with a blank look on his face. I hope he's okay.

Ed and Al came over. We couldn't go outside. It was snowing too much. They think there might be a blizzard soon. So we sat in the living room and talked. I brought down Hope, and sat with her on my lap. We talked about a lot of stuff. They told me more about alchemy, and how to spell it. See, I spelled it right this time! I asked a few questions about the military place, and if they'd seen Daddy. Ed told me he hadn't. Where did Daddy go?

Ed frowned. "Why are you so worried about your father, Amanda?"

I blinked. "Well, a few days ago, Daddy and Mommy had an argument during dinner, and Daddy left. He hasn't been back home since then. Mommy stays in her room, and won't come out. I have to bring her food and stuff." Ed frowned even more. He looked really serious.

"She makes you cook?"

"Well, I don't mind. It's sort of fun, after I got used to it. And it's useful. I can make myself lunch now."

Al seemed worried. I couldn't tell. He always wears that big suit of armor. I wondered why. So, I asked him. "Al, why do you wear that armor all the time?"

He jerked a bit, and sat up straighter. Ed smiled nervously at me. "W-well, you see, it's a sort of…of hobby of his…"

I blinked. "Hobby?"

Al nodded. "Y-yeah, it's a hobby! I just wear it during the day!"

I nodded. That made sense. "Okay then." Then I started to tell them about Keith. They seemed relieved that I didn't ask anymore questions. They're weird.

They left a little earlier, before dinnertime. I wish they could've stayed longer. Oh well. They said they'd come over tomorrow, so it's okay.

Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Two

Dear diary,

I can't find Hope. I brought her downstairs with me when Ed and Al were over, and I left her there while I went to cook Mommy dinner. I came back with Mommy's dinner, and she was gone! And I know I didn't move her. I know neither Ed nor Al took her, because they're too nice to do something like that. I really hope she's okay…I don't want her to be hurt…

Daddy still isn't home. I'm really, super worried now. We haven't heard from him for a long time. Mommy won't come out of her room, or speak to me. She just nods, or glances at me with a tired look on her face. I really hope they're okay. I want Mommy and Daddy to be normal again.

Ed and Al couldn't come over today, but they promised they'd take me over to Mr. Hughes' house later this week. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see them again. I haven't seen them for a long time.

Keith was staring off into the sky today. He almost tripped over a pile of snow. I would have laughed at him, but he looked kinda upset. So, I didn't do anything. I just waited for him to catch up. He brought me home, and stayed a little bit so we could play. He didn't smile the entire time we played in the snow! I want to make him smile, one day.

I'm gonna look for Hope a little bit before I go to bed. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Three

Dear diary,

Daddy still hasn't come home. Mommy won't even look at me now. She just waves her hand at me to leave, or to come. Making dinner for her has become a routine now. I go to the kitchen at the same time everyday, make the same thing, and give it to her at the same time. She doesn't say a word.

Ed and Al weren't over today, either. But that's okay. I'm gonna get to see them, and the Hughes family all day later this week! I wonder if Elicia still remembers me?

Keith was staring off at the sky again. I really, really wanted to see him smile. So, I tripped in the snow and fell on my face. My bruises are pretty much gone, so it didn't hurt that much. And truthfully, I didn't trip on purpose.

He stared at me for a moment before asking if I was okay. I told him I was fine, and sighed to myself. Maybe he would never smile. Then, he asked me why I asked goofy around him.

I smiled at him brightly. "Because I want to see your smile one day!" I told him.

He looked shocked for a moment. Then, he returned to his usual blankness and continued walking. I followed after him, still smiling. He's a good friend.

I still can't find Hope. As far as I know, she isn't anywhere in the house. Unless she's in Mommy's room. But why would she be in there? Mommy hates Hope, but only because Daddy bought her. I really wish I could find her.

Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe Mommy won't cry. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Four

Dear diary,

I'm super worried now. Hope is missing still. Daddy won't come home. Mommy won't come out of her room. She won't let me in her room anymore, either. She won't eat. I don't think she sleeps, either. I can hear her crying at night, in the room next to me.

There hasn't been a single sign of Daddy for a week. I really hope he's okay. Nobody has seen or heard from him since he left. I wonder if he left the city? Maybe he went to the west, or the north. He always said he liked the snow. Why would he leave us?

I miss Hope. I can't sleep at night. I'm so worried. What if she's hurt?

Al stopped by today. He promised me a trip to Mr. Hughes' home. He said Ed was busy at the military place, so he couldn't come. It's okay. I don't mind that much.

I'm really tired. But I can't sleep. I'll try. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow!

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Day Five

Dear diary,

Daddy came home today. I was happy at first. But then, IT happened, and I wasn't happy anymore. IT was horrible.

I was sitting on the couch, watching the snow fall, when I heard the door open and footsteps come in. I peeked out from the doorway, and saw Daddy standing there. I smiled big and shouted, "Daddy! You're home!" Then I ran to him, to give him a hug.

But he frowned at me, and shoved me back when I tried to hug him. He said, "Stay away from me, brat." I blinked. I thought at first that he was confused, or joking.

Then, Mommy came downstairs. She stared at Daddy for a few moments before slowly walking down the stairs. She kept her eyes locked with his for a moment, standing directly in front of him.

Then she slapped him across the face, so hard his head spun to the side.

He glared at her, yelled, "You bitch!" and slapped her back. Except, he hit her with the back of his hand, almost knocking her over. I watched with wide eyes as she slapped him again.

"You have no right to call me that, you no good bastard! You left me here with the brat for a week, left me for some other woman! You have no idea what I've been through!"

He slapped her back again. "I do have right to call you that! That's what you are! And yes, I admit it, I DID leave you for another woman! And no, I don't know what you've been through, but then again, I don't really give a damn!"

She slapped him. "Son of a bitch! Two-timing bastard! You left me here, all alone, with a child! A child you don't even care about anymore!"

He slapped her. "Whore, I did leave you here with the kid, and on purpose! Yes, I hate the brat! But I know you hate her more! Much more so than me!"

"Then why were you so nice to her, buying her things with our money! Buying her that damned expensive stuffed cat!"

"I was leaving! I wanted to leave my mark by spending YOUR money on something worthless!"

"BASTARD!"

"BITCH!"

"STOP!" I yelled, loud enough to catch their attention. They stood watching me with hate in their eyes, watching as I bit back tears and said softly, "You're scaring me."

Daddy glared at me. "So?"

Mommy walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders. She started talking in a really low voice. "Do you really think we care?"

I could feel my eyes burning. "Mommy…." I muttered weakly

She slapped my cheek, really hard. "Quiet, brat!" Then she stood back and went to the closet door, opening it and looking inside for something. Daddy stood still for a moment before coming up close to me, grabbing my shoulders, and shaking me once.

"Why must you always complain!?" He growled into my face. I whimpered softly.

Mommy came into view, pushing past Daddy. "Are you upset? Are you really, really upset, so much that you need to be comforted? Well, HERE!" She shoved something into my face, shaking her a bit. "Cry into your damn cat!"

I felt a tear slide down my cheek. It was Hope. And she was destroyed. Her right paw was slashed open, her left eye was hanging off, and her tail was ripped and torn. And her head was almost completely removed from her neck, hanging by a few threads. I whimpered again softly. Daddy shoved his way closer to me.

"Damn brat, stop whining!" Then he punched me.

It was like when those boys beat me up, except his fist was larger, and he hit much harder. I flew through the air a bit, landing hard on my side, pain rolling in waves from my cheek. I could feel more tears sliding down my face. I bit back the rest, and stood shakily. Then I snatched Hope from Mommy and ran upstairs, slamming my door. I could still hear them arguing downstairs.

Those people aren't my Mommy and Daddy.

They look the same. They seem to be the same. But mommies and daddies aren't supposed to hit their kids, right? Right?

I'm really confused. I'm hugging Hope to me, being careful not to rip off anything. I wish I could fix her. But I don't know how. I wish my real Mommy and Daddy would come home.

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Day Six

Dear diary,

I didn't leave my room all night. In the morning, I left as soon as I possibly could. I didn't see either of Them.

I tried acting normally at school. I don't want anyone to worry about me. Keith must have noticed something, because he asked me what was wrong.

"Nothing," I said. "I just tripped and landed on my face, and this bruise formed. Pretty dumb, right?" He watched me for a moment.

"There's something else wrong. Besides the bruise." I shook my head and smiled.

"Nope, everything's fine!"

He nodded cautiously, though looked unconvinced. "If you say so. But, I just want you to know. You can talk to me, anytime, about anything. Okay?"

I nodded, still forcing a smile on my face. "Okay!"

My smile fell after Keith walked me home. I stood in front of my house for what seemed like the longest time before I sighed wearily and went in. I went straight up to my room, ignoring any calls from Them. I dropped my bag by my door, crawled into bed, and hugged the mangled body of Hope close. And I cried into her soft, torn head.

I haven't left my room since. I'm afraid of what will happen if I do. They could hit me again. They could yell at me again. They could call me names again.

I'm afraid. I don't know what to do.

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Day Seven

Dear diary,

Ed and Al broke their promise. They said they would take me to Mr. Hughes' house this week. They lied. It's already late at night, and they haven't come yet. I was really hoping to escape this place, to go to a place where I could have fun and not be afraid, especially after IT happened. Especially after I lost my mommy and daddy.

But they lied. They lied, and they don't care about what is happening to me. They don't care. None of them care. None of them.

Maybe Keith still cares. I really hope he still cares. I really do. I need him. I need to talk to him. He'll listen. He always does.

She destroyed Hope. I want to fix her, but I don't know how. That's what mommies are for. They fix our problems with a smile. They don't ask questions, they don't yell. They kindly take that problem from you, and fix it as best they can. Good mommies try their best to make everything better, no matter how hard or tough everything is. Good mommies love their children, and show that love in everything they do.

She does none of that.

And daddies help you. Good daddies protect you, play with you, and make you laugh. Good daddies make life fun. Good daddies love their children, and protect them with that love.

He does none of that.

I have no mommy or daddy. I have no parents. I might have had parents before, but they're gone now. They left long ago.

So, what do you think? I know, I'm being a bit evil to Amanda. But don't worry, it gets better! ...sort of... Anyway, let me know what you think! Chapter six will be up soon. This story is almost done. Only three or four more chapters. I told you it would be short. Now, click that pretty little button down there and give me your opinion! Please? Pretty please?