CHAPTER 2
Kagome didn't know how she ended up at a coffee shop with Sango, but there she was. It really wasn't Kagome's intention to run into anyone.
Kagome hadn't gone to school today. She stayed home nursing her bruised body and broken mind. She slept most of the day, doing some reading when she was awake, but mostly just sleeping. The only reason she had left the house at all was to pick up another book, seeing as she had finished the one she had for class.
She really didn't even have the money to be here, she had planned on spending that money on books, but when Sango spotted Kagome on the street and insisted they had coffee, Kagome couldn't say no.
The silence was awkward as Kagome studied the menu. She had covered up her black eyes as best possible, using make up and strategically placed hair, but Kagome was afraid if Sango looked hard enough she'd notice.
Sango finally spoke, "So...you're starting off strong."
Kagome looked up, confused.
"I mean, you skipped your second day." Kagome could tell she was joking, she smiled a little to herself.
"I know, right?"
Sango smiled. Kagome's response must have put her at ease because she wouldn't stop talking after that.
They both ordered simple coffee. Sango piled sugar in hers while Kagome enjoyed hers black. Kagome liked Sango. It had been a while since Kagome could say that, but she actually liked Sango. That complicated things. But Sango didn't pry, she talked about school and the teachers Kagome had. Neither one of them offered any personal information.
There was a lull in conversation, as they both sipped their coffee. The little bell above the front door to the shop rang. A chill swept up Kagome's spine. Her head snapped around.
A girl stood at the door. She wasn't much to look at, but her aura was poisonous.
The girl had her hair in a short pony tail, her ears were pointed, and her eyes red. Kagome blinked. The girl's appearance morphed. Her ears were normal and her eyes a dark brown. The girl walked in to the store and looked around. Her eyes landed on Kagome's table. Kagome looked away.
Sango had put her coffee down and was staring at the girl who had just walked in as well. Kagome couldn't see the girl anymore, but she could still feel her. Kagome felt sick.
She must have looked sick too. Sango looked at Kagome then stood up and tossed a five on the table, enough to cover both of their drinks.
"We're leaving," Sango sounded angry. Kagome hesitated for a minute, before standing up too. She felt the girls eyes on them as they left the shop.
They walked in silence. Kagome followed Sango, still feeling the chill in her body. Sango stopped leading and turned on Kagome.
"You saw that didn't you?"
Kagome stopped walking.
"Yeah, you saw it too." Kagome said, confused at Sango's tone.
"Have you been training with someone? Do you work for someone?"
What?
"What are you talking about? Who would train me to see?"
Sango snapped her mouth shut. They stood there staring at each other. Kagome's pocket vibrated,dread, accompanied by fear, filled her.
She clumsily pulled out her phone and answered.
"Hello?"
"Are you at home?"
Hearing her dad's voice caused flashbacks of the other night, panic rose in her throat, she didn't want to answer wrong.
"Yes," She decided telling the lying was the better option.
"Well get out, I'm having company this evening, so you better be gone by 10."
He hung up.
Kagome sighed in relief. She didn't know where she was going to stay, but at least she wouldn't be dealing with him tonight. He would have another punching bag for the evening.
"I gotta go," Kagome said, pocketing her phone.
"Do you want a ride?"
Kagome should have said no but as the wind picked up and tore right through Kagome's shirt, she found herself nodding yes.
The ten minute drive felt like an hour as they rode in silence the entire way. The night sky was cloudy. Kagome climbed out of the car and said thanks. The house was completely dark and Kagome walked slowly as not to stumble on the steps. Sango rolled down her window.
"I'll see you at school tomorrow right?"
The distance made Kagome brave. She smiled and answered, "Yeah, I guess I'll show up."
Kagome twisted the knob and pushed the door open, she stopped locking it after she accidentally locked her father out.
She slipped inside. She looked at the clock.
I have 2 hours to get out.
She sighed. When she was younger she used to just hide in her closet for the night with a flashlight and a good book. Kagome took the stairs two at a time. She pushed open her fragile door and looked at her closet. It was just big enough for her to lay in. She pushed the boxes out and inspected the floor for dead bugs and dust. Though it was clear she decided to vacuüm just to be sure. She pulled her comforter, sheets, and pillows into the closet. And made a small nest. She dug through her boxes and found her flashlight. She clicked it on and off.
Yep it still works.
And tossed it inside. She pulled out one of her old favorite books and tossed it inside as well. She went downstairs for some food. There wasn't much food, so she grabbed what she could find. two small bags of chips, a soda, and one leftover slice of pizza. It would do. She heated the pizza up. It was 9 o'clock.
He probably wouldn't be home till after 10, but she wanted to be sure she didn't get caught. She took her food upstairs. She opened the bottle of soda to let out the noisy fizz before she closed it back up and set it in the corner of her little bed. She looked around the room one last time. She pushed her boxes into a corner neatly.
It looked clear enough. Kagome turned off the light in her room before closing herself in the closet.
Kagome had already finished her food and read herself to sleep before she heard her father angrily slam the front door.
She startled awake, and lay there listening.
"That dumb bitch!" From the way he was yelling she guessed he was drunk, "Fuckin tease."
She heard a crash, she pictured him putting his fist through the wall.
"Where the hell is Kagome."
Kagome started to panic. She willed herself to shrink down even further, and she started to wish she had just taken her chances on the street even though it was freezing outside.
He was silent. Kagome could hear the house creaking under the wind, and her stomach began to flip. She begged her heart to beat quietly, but was denied as she heard slow footsteps coming up the stairs. She held her breath. The door to her room banged open, Kagome jumped. He stood in the doorway drunkenly muttering her name.
Her phone started to ring beside her. She scrambled to turn it off. But there was no way he missed the piercing ring. Her eyes began to water. He stumbled to the closet and opened it. Kagome was as exposed and vulnerable as she felt. He grabbed her by her hair and dragged her out of the closet.
"I told you to get out."
Kagome didn't say anything, there was nothing to say.
She felt his fist connect with her face. He let go of her hair. She watched him as he circled around her. A darkness covered her father's entire being, swirling and charged with energy almost like it had a life of it's own. She couldn't help but wonder if that had always been there. He kicked her hard in the side twice before he picked her up by her throat. She pulled at his hand, scratching as hard as she could, more than the crushing force of his hand on her throat, the dark aura burned and lapped at her skin. Kagome felt herself grow light headed. He slapped her hard in the face. When she didn't respond he punched her in the stomach. But Kagome had already passed out. That only pissed him off more. He threw her on the ground where she crumpled like a rag doll. He removed her clothes, leaving her in only her stared at her. Hated her. Kicked her until he was tired.
"You want to stay in the closet, you got it." He tossed her limp body inside and closed the door.
Kagome didn't know how long she had been out for. She woke with a start, only to find herself alone in the dark floor of her closet. He body was completely stiff, as she lay in a ball on her side. She reached out an arm and pushed against the door to the closet. It wouldn't move.