Gwenyth Taylor Plunkett, parmigiolate, and especially Dinah, thank you for your sweet reviews
stormy night
Running as fast as her legs would carry her, Violet found her way back to the path, the one most traveled, the one leading back to the house that was now her home.
Emerging from the dark forest she could see her stepfather waiting, his silhouette sullen and stoic bearing down on her from the second floor bedroom window.
She could feel the thick air of tension as soon as she walked in the door, suffocating, isolating, backing her into a corner she couldn't fight her way out of.
"Where have you been!"
Keeping her head down she shrugged remembering the boy in the cemetery, pale, cold, and oh so inviting it made her shiver just to think to of him.
"No where."
Sighing heavily he rubbed the back of his neck reeling in his anger towards his disobedient teenager.
Narrowed steel blue eyes focused in on the dirt embedded around the hem of her dress and the porcelain skin of her ankles.
"The woods again, you know you're never going to meet anyone sulking around in that swamp snake infested forest."
A hint of a secret grin flashed upwards hidden by a mass of long hair, now tangled with fallen leaves and twigs from her run through gravestones and angels with her new friend.
Nodding in agreement in an effort to escape from him, she ran to the sink suddenly dying of thirst.
Parting her lips directly beneath the faucet, forgoing a glass, furthering his anger, she welcomed cool water to her dry throat.
Furious by her absence while in the midst of his discussion with her, Ben raised his voice still standing at the top of the stairs.
"I realize that moving here is a huge adjustment for you Violet, but there needs to be an effort on your part if we're going to make this work."
Digging her nails into the counter, she wiped her chin with the back of her hand now tired, finished with this one sided conversation.
Thinking her whispered sarcastic crack was quiet enough to escape his ears, she flipped her hair back to stare out the kitchen window, into the dark abyss that was the bridge between her and her fair haired friend.
"You're the only one that wants this to work."
Slamming his fist down on the banister, he gritted his teeth bending under the pressure of his new position, having to prove his worthiness to the entire town.
"This is our home now, the sooner you accept that, the easier life will be."
Charging up the stairs, Violet brushed by him, only to be held back by a strong hand that reached out to grab her arm.
"I have enough to deal with without having to defend your rebellious behavior, what exactly were you thinking Violet?"
Backing up against the wall she remained silent, knowing he wasn't finished, the preacher loved to hear the sound of his own voice more than anything in the world.
"Showing up in the middle of my service, taking off your sweater, showing yourself to the entire town."
Sighing she rolled her eyes in defiance, "You're being ridiculous."
"You are being naive Violet, you don't have the body of a child anymore, it's up to you to show some self respect and not leave yourself open for display like a common whore."
Hesitating for a moment, still clutching her arm, he turned it palm up lifting his eyes making it clear what he wanted to see.
She tried to pull her arm back only to smack her elbow into the wall painfully.
"Damn it! I promised not to do it again, why isn't that good enough for you!"
Facing her, Ben pushed up the sleeves of her sweater twisting her arms back and forth.
Finding nothing but faded marks left behind from her cuts months ago, she managed to jerk her arms successfully out of his rough grip this time.
"Satisfied?"
Softening his voice he smoothed her messy hair back affectionately making her cringe inside.
"Violet, I'm only looking out for your well being, your mother left you in my care. I promised to look after you as if you were my own… if you just let god into your heart everything - "
"I'm tired, I need to go to bed now."
Shutting him down, she brushed by him into her bedroom locking the door behind her.
Clenching her fists by her side she opened her mouth wide to let out a silent scream.
Watching the shadow of his black shiny shoes move away from beneath her door, she plopped down on her bed surrounded by boxes
Putting off unpacking was her way of pretending this wasn't happening, in her mind there was still a chance, a crumb of a possibility that she could still find herself back home, with her mother waiting on the stoop of their apartment to tell her this was all just a bad dream.
Grabbing an old stuffed teddy bear off her nightstand, she slid her finger over the matted fur till she felt the edge of the metal razor.
Pulling it out she threw the stuffed animal on her bed, before leaning back against a stack of pillows to hike her dress up to her waist.
Images of her mother flashed before her eyes, her lifeless body sprawled out on the kitchen floor covered in blood, standing in rain in front of the church watching as they carried her casket to the hearse, the lights of the city fading away in the rear view mirror as he drove silently away in the dead of night.
Kicking off her sandals she bent her knee outward giving the inside of her thigh a shallow slice across tender untouched skin.
Breathing out slowly she watched almost in a trance as a bright red mark emerged along three older ones, releasing pressure that was threatening to break her.
Catching drops of blood in a tissue she stuffed the evidence in a child's jewelry box, one that when opened emerged a ballerina that would spin in time to music, a present from her mother on her fifth birthday.
With shaky hands she replaced the hidden blade propping the bear on the window sill before changing for bed.
Standing in an oversized tee shirt, in the dark, she stared out the window watching the tips of the trees bend back and forth to the will of the summer breeze.
Pressing her forehead against the cool pane of glass she thought about the boy in the cemetery as her fingertip skimmed over the fresh new wound between her legs.
Replaying it over in her head, she could hear his voice, like a whisper, velvet and low pulling her from the nightmare that was her life into another world.
That night she dreamed of pipe organs, leering judgmental eyes, her father's damnation of lust, and the boy from the cemetery that was holding out his hand urging her to come back to him.
The next day, Sunday, was filled with chores and demands from home and more church services that lasted till dusk.
Feeling the need to disappear into the background, Violet did as she was asked, trying her best to avoid another confrontation.
Dressed conservatively, she respectfully greeted parishioners as they left alongside her stepfather under thinly veiled scrutiny of wide fake smiles and a fair share of 'honeys' and 'darlings'.
One particular boy broke from a crowd of adults to introduced himself, letting her know he lived just up the road, just in case she got bored.
"The name's Gabriel but my friends call me Gabe, you should come over sometime, we've got an in ground pool and the best Barbecue in town, my dad owns a restaurant just off the highway, nothing special just a little joint, but the food is like nothing you've ever tasted, I promise you that."
Before she could respond his mother nudged him along, smiling politely clearly unhappy with her son's invitation.
After an uncomfortable silent dinner together back at the house, Violet volunteered to do the dishes hoping he would go off somewhere so she could finally be alone.
As darkness fell over the valley once again, she wiped down the counter while staring out into the forest, the mysterious bridge that connected them.
Peeking in the fridge more bored than hungry, Violet rolled her eyes at the stacks of Tupperware.
The fridge was full of casserole's, and well meaning welcoming pies from the single women in town that hovered around Ben like vultures picking meat off a dead carcass.
Tossing the dish rag from her shoulder onto the counter, she ran up the stairs halting as Ben lifted his tired feet onto an old ottoman to watch TV.
Calling out to her, he sighed exhausted from the day. "Thank you Violet, your effort today did not go unnoticed."
Taking a long shower, washing away the sweat of another oppressive humid day, Violet stood in front of the bathroom mirror wiping away the condensation to reveal her reflection.
Running her hand down the side of her long graceful neck, she skimmed her fingers along the curve of her hips, recalling his icy touch.
She tilted her head imaging him there, standing behind her, witnessing her innocent explorations, staring at her with those eyes that burned through her as if she were paper turned to ash under his gaze.
Taking a deep breath her skin flushed at the thought of him, it was then that she noticed something behind her in the mirror.
Grabbing a towel she wrapped it tight around her wet body before turning towards the edge of the door.
Looking closely she could make out the faded pencil markings of what looked to be a child's growth chart.
Small dashes were etched into the wood from age two all the way to twelve reaching higher and higher each time.
They were barely noticeable, she wondered how she spotted them at all, the dates were indistinguishable from the passage of time, but the ages were still visible if she looked hard enough.
Backing away she continued to get ready for bed, drying her hair, brushing her teeth, really going through the motions of keeping busy, unable to tear her thoughts away, almost as if he wasn't letting her.
Putting on a light cotton white nightgown, to combat the heat, that only seemed to be rising even though the sun had gone down, she opened her closet on the orders of Ben to get on with unpacking.
Tired of fighting she knelt down to neatly line up her shoes, it wasn't until she went to push her sneakers back against the wall that she felt a hard object in the way.
Reaching up to pull on the string above her, flipping the light bulb on, she knelt back down to grab a tiny matchbox car that was wedged against the wall.
Throwing her shoes out of the way she noticed a loose floorboard just under where she found the toy car.
Lifting it up with her fingernails she quickly tossed it aside curious as to what treasure was hidden inside.
Feeling around she came upon a small wooden box covered with dust and spiderwebs.
Sitting back she drifted her fingers over the name carved on the top, tracing each letter that looked as though a child had etched it carefully with a knife.
T A T E
Her eyes lifted in the direction of the bathroom, realizing that it must have been the little boy's markings on the edge of the door.
Eager to see what was inside she tried to pry it open only to discover a small lock like one you'd find on a strong box.
Diving her hand back in the hole in the floor she searched for the key but found nothing.
Frustrated, she hid the box beneath her pillows, knowing Ben was known to riffle through her things from time to time.
Getting into bed she reached beneath to the box, laying her hand over it, for some reason feeling comfort knowing it was there.
Sometime in the night she found herself back in the recurring memory that often played out in her dreams.
There she was again, her body tense, in shock, breathless, standing over her mother watching as a pool of blood edged towards her bare feet.
It was the same almost every night, the kitchen soaked in blood, her casket, the funeral, and the rear view mirror with city lights fading away in the distance, only this time something was different.
The dream replayed on a loop, bringing her once again to the cold linoleum kitchen floor, looking down at her mother's wide open eyes.
Only this time just as the blood inched towards her feet she felt ice cold fingers taking hold of her hand.
Moving in slow motion she lifted her tear stained face to find the boy at the cemetery looking down at her mother mournfully.
"It's okay Violet... I'm here now, you're not alone anymore."
Her eyes flew open finding herself sitting up in bed gasping for air as her heart hammered hard in her ears.
Jumping out of bed, she peered into her stepfather's bedroom only to hear snoring coming from downstairs.
Quietly she went down each step until she reached the front door, grabbing a flashlight from the hall closet she took off into the woods.
It was a starless night void of any moonlight, the air smelled like rain, strong winds blew across the valley causing her long hair to fly behind her as she took off.
Aiming the light along the path she ignored the bright eyes watching her from creatures crawling high in trees and low to the ground, curiously glaring at the girl running, fleeing for her life.
Breathless she broke out into the clearing, her chest rising and falling, she lowered the flashlight to the path walking slow now, searching for the fork in the dirt beneath her feet.
Nervous that it had all been a dream, some kind of hallucination from a distraught, confused girl searching for some kind of peace she began to worry.
Fear of a heightened degree sent chills up her spine, her blood ran cold just at the thought that he wasn't real.
It was then that she saw it, one artery breaking into two, one heavily traveled, the other very well hidden from sight.
The wind picked up suddenly tossing her hair wildly around her shoulders as she reached the wrought iron gate that led to him.
Wincing as her bare feet touched down on rocks and pointy thick vines that lifted the gravestones sideways sinking them down to the earth below, she kept going.
"You came."
Spinning around quickly she went to raise the light up towards his face only to have it flicker and die.
"I can't see you."
Her breathy voice caused him to smile sensing her fear.
"Your eyes will adjust, don't worry… you're safe."
Taking her hand he swept his frosty fingers over her wrist, slowing her racing pulse.
"I don't know why I'm here."
Blinking her eyes several times he began to appear before her, so beautiful, just as she had remembered.
"Yes you do Violet."
He spoke softly, like honey dripping slowly over her skin, sweet and warm, leaving her wanting more.
"Say it again… my name…. please."
Wrapping his hand around her neck gently, he brought her close, moving his lips close to her ear.
"Violet."
"Violet."
"Sweet... beautiful Violet."
Raising her hand, she held it close to his back, afraid to touch him, unsure of what this all meant, and who or what he was.
Letting out a shutter breath just as lightening pierced the dark sky, she gazed up into his black eyes.
"I don't even know who you are."
A deep crash shook the ground as distant thunder rumbled beneath their feet.
"Ask me anything, Violet... Violet"
Stepping back she became cautious leaving his hand to fall away from her.
Missing his touch instantly she smoothed her hands around her slim waist causing the strap of her gown to fall from her shoulder.
She watched closely as his dark eyes followed its descent down her arm leaving the swell of her breast to feast on.
No one had ever looked at her this way, not exactly, not even close.
Her skin flushed pink rushing across her cheeks and down towards places private and unseen.
Lightning flashed once again, brighter this time, turning night into day for a few moments.
He was standing in front of the tall statue that had captured her soul, the angel's outstretched wings spread out from his back appearing as if they were a part of him.
His blonde waves fell around his pale skin like a halo, but his eyes, those black eyes were a direct contradiction to it all.
Heated, intense, dancing in the light, changing on a dim from innocence to the darkest of desire.
There was a fire in those eyes, it scared and fascinated her all at once, awakening needs she didn't understand.
"You look like an angel."
The edge of his mouth twitched upwards into a salacious grin.
"Hardly… does that disappoint you... Violet... Violet?"
Answering his own question before she could respond, he shook his head slightly.
"No... that's not what you're looking for… an angel is definitely not what you came here to find."
A clap of thunder crashed loudly over their heads, this time opening up the sky.
Sheets of rain fell sideways instantly soaking them as he grabbed her hand and ran.
The flashlight slipped from her fingers as she struggled to keep up with him.
Around the tombstones through the gate he led her down the same path till she found herself back in the woods.
Within seconds, faster than possible, she was standing on the edge of her backyard looking up at the little farmhouse with a small flickering light coming from the TV.
Turning towards him she yelled over the wild winds and driving rain.
"Your name…. what's your name."
Backing her up against the rough bark of a tree, he braced his palms over her head causing rain drops to slide from the tips of his flaxen hair to the valley between her breasts.
Unable to help herself she reached out gripping his black tee shirt in her hands twisting it tight bringing him even closer.
Pressing his forehead to hers, that devilish grin appeared once again in response to her forcefulness.
"Tate, my name is Tate ….Violet... Violet… my restless, wild, beautiful Violet."
Her innocent eyes widened remembering the box under the floorboards, the engraved name that was one in the same.
"Why did you come for me Violet?"
Reasons that seemed clear before now bled together in a confusing haze.
"Y-you … you were my dream."
All play fell from his pale face, dimples faded away, his sideways smile was gone as he lowered his lips to her mouth.
"I'll be in your dreams every night if you come back Violet… Violet… curious, fiery, beautiful Violet."
Her fists flattened out bracing her palms against his chest, watching as those black eyes lowered, raking over her now transparent cotton nightgown that stuck magnificently to her curves leaving nothing to the imagination.
Her eyes slid shut the second she felt his barely there kiss that brushed hotly over her lips again and again.
Lifting his mouth to her ear she breathed out slowly hearing his deliberate soft words flowing slow like honey.
"I could taste you all night Violet... but someone is looking for you… you better go now."
Gasping, she looked up to find all the lights had been turned on inside the house.
"Oh my god!"
Sliding out from his arms she took off running, through the rain, and the wind, and the sweet memory his kiss.