I spend the rest of the hours thinking about the plan I have finally come up with, when my aunt comes back from where she went. I shut off the TV, going up to her. "That took a while," I said, checking the time on the clock. "Normally interviews don't take you that long." It was then I saw a small box in front of me. "What's that?" I asked, pointing at it.
"It's for you," Aunt Sarah smiled, holding it out to me.
I quirked an eyebrow, taking the box. I examined it. "It's not my birthday," I told her.
"Open it," she insisted, gesturing with her hands, ignoring the reminder I gave her. Simply shrugging, I took the top off, and my eyes widen at what I saw. "I got your own cell phone," she beamed, watching me as I took it out of the box. "I thought you'll need it. I already put my phone number on there."
I was unable to reply, surprised that I got a cellphone of my own. I examined it, spotting three buttons on the side. Pressing one of them, it turned on to a screen full of different apps that I've never seen before. I know what cellphones are, but I never used one. I don't even touch my aunt's phone. Whenever it rings, I steer clear away from it, refusing to answer whoever is calling until my aunt picks up.
Now with me having a phone and having her phone number, I won't have to worry, unless she has my phone number - which I don't have. "Um..." I went to say something when it seemed like she read my mind.
"Don't worry, I gave you a phone number, too," she let me know.
"Thanks...but I don't know my phone number," I replied.
"Let me write it down for you," she offered, going to one of the tables, pulling out a notepad and a pen. She scribbled my phone number down. Finished, she handed it to me. "Whenever someone wants to be friends with you, they may want to have your phone number. Your school buddy may want one, as well," she expected, putting her notepad and pen back in its place.
"I doubt it'll happen..." I believed, reading my phone number. I don't want to carry this around, either. Though at the same time, I may forget it so I took it up to my room, setting it on my bed table where I can see it, making a note to myself to take it to school whenever I go there. I returned to the first floor, my aunt there like she was waiting for me. "The pizza is on the counter. I'd only have one piece," I informed her.
"Okay. I do have to take you to the store in order for you to get school supplies," she told me, walking to the kitchen where I followed her. "It's been a while since the last time you were in school," she stated the obvious, taking a pepperoni slice, placing it on a plate she took out from the cabinet. I leaned forward, listening to her when shame came upon her for no reason. "I should've taken you to a brand new school after letting you quit. I shouldn't even let you quit to begin with," she said guilty, swallowing a piece she ripped off from her pizza slice.
"You did anyway." I pulled out a chair, sitting on it. "Until you changed your mind..." I looked at the table top with bitter emotion. "It isn't fair for one bit, I tell ya..." I complained, feeling glum - like how I am. "...feels like you lied to me..."
Hearing this, my aunt put down her half eaten pizza. "I wouldn't lie to you... I just thought it'll be best for you to not only get back to your education, but to also make friends there aside from a school buddy."
All I can do is continue to be disappointed, though my gut tells me that she's right. Hannah had brought up that my own aunt won't let me stay out of school forever, turning out to be right. I may not see Hannah there, though at least I'll have a school buddy my aunt had suggested about.
I wonder what my school buddy would look like, I thought, keeping myself on the chair until I decided to go in my room where I can be alone where I can think of all the possibilities that can occur when I'm in school.
I laid flat on my back, eyes on the ceiling, picturing images in my head. Horrifying, horrible images of me at school, being put down by the high school kids like what had happened when I was in elementary school. Yes, it happened in elementary school, though I wasn't ready to give out any details...not any time soon... Same with my parents and...him... The person I most likely avoid talking about.
This isn't the dread I'm envisioning. I dread Hannah thinking I'm a liar, which I never am in my entire life. My aunt had seen the fear in me, though wasn't sure what to say. I can tell that she knows Hannah isn't the kind of girl who would make assumptions, especially false ones. But even though she never said it, I'm completely certain I'll lose a friend...
Unless I tell her. If I could tell her without her getting ticked at me.
I jumped when I heard a sound at my closed window. I removed myself from my bed, going up to the window to see Hannah. Taking the window, I lifted it up to open it. There, below me, is none other than Hannah, who motioned me to come on down.
Weird... she didn't knock on the door... It's not like my aunt is going to keep me inside like her creepy dad does. Maybe she doesn't want her dad to hear her knocking on someone else's door. I could've come up with a better explanation, except it was the only one I had in mind.
I signaled her to let her know I'm coming on down. I hurried down, the phone in my hand, along with retrieving my phone number in case Hannah has her own cell phone. If her dad gave her one. And if he did, he'll probably call her every second of the day to 'check on her'.
I called over to my aunt. "Hannah's here!"
"Okay," I heard from the kitchen, being mixed with running water. Seems like she doesn't mind that Shivers' offspring hadn't knocked on the door, or hadn't heard the sound from my window from the loud, rushing liquid spewing out of the faucet. "You two have a nice time. Don't be out too late."
"Got it," I responded promisingly. I got out of the house, searching for the girl next door who I spotted within seconds, coming from the side of my home, smiling. Seeing her made me feel uneasy, making me feel a bit sick. I couldn't shake away the notion of her hating me when I told her I'll be in school.
She picked up on it rather fast. "Is there something wrong?" she asked with concern. "It looks like you're going to throw up..." After she said that, my stomach thought it'll be a good idea to make me do just that. I couldn't keep the nausea down anymore, hurrying away from her. I bent over, retching out the pizza I've eaten. "Ezzy!" Crying out in alarm, she came over where I felt her place a hand on my back where I quickly shook it off, repeatedly vomiting uncontrollably. "Do you have the stomach bug?"
"N-No..." I choked out, unable to stop. Another wave of sickness came over. My body felt cold all over, sweat coming to my face and on my hands. "I..." I tried to tell her, except my stomach heaved again. I felt embarrassed for doing this in front of her, praying she won't get grossed out. Or worse, make me feel like a loser for it wasn't the first time I got sick.
She doesn't leave, though offered something. "I'll go get your aunt..."
"No need..." I stopped her, going up right. "I feel bad for you to see that," I said red-faced, covering my face. "I tried to hold it in..." I let out a groan of dismay, feeling more ashamed. The funny feeling went away. "I-I'm extremely sorry," I apologized, panic starting to set in. "I got nervous-"
"Nervous?" The look on Hannah's face told me she couldn't understand why, something I couldn't blame her for. "We've seen each other since yesterday," she stated, like she was reminding me that we've met each other before.
I sighed loudly, uncovering my eyes. I dared not look at her. "...I'll tell you at the abandoned amusement park..." I moved off from my front yard, heading on over there, head down as I picked up the noise of Hannah's sneakers. The night is cloudy how she likes it, though it does make me feel fishy when she keeps going into the shadow of the trees to avoid the moonlight from last night. I still don't believe the 'I don't want to get caught by the cops' thing. No. She's hiding something from me, but...what?
I wanted to question her after I told her what I needed to say.
The two of us headed through the woods, retracing our steps to the old amusement park. I didn't feel like climbing the Ferris wheel, spotting one of the tables - picnic tables - and sat down at one of them. Hannah sat next to me. "Tell me," she started, drumming her fingers on the tabletop. "Explain why you got sick back there." She didn't demand, more likely to keep me from getting all wound up.
Sweat came again, my heart picking up speed. If I tell her, what will she say?
Finally, I told her. "I'm going back to school..."
"You are? Awesome!" It wasn't the reaction I was looking for, though it never made me feel better for nothing can. "I'm glad you're going. I always wanted to go, but like I said before, my dad home schools me." Happiness came off of her. "Looks like you decided to go after all," she assumed.
"...my aunt has a job there," I muttered with some disgust. "She's going to be a Math teacher at Madison High School."
"She will make a great teacher," she theorized happily. "I have no doubt about it." I nodded in agreement. "Hope you have a good time and make friends at the school," she wished me for the best. Then she sighed. "I really wanted to go to an actual school, yet my dad won't allow it to happen."
"Because he's an awful father..." I grumbled under my breath to where she couldn't hear what I said about her frightening dad. I covered my eyes, placing my elbows on the top of the picnic tables. "It's going to be like when I was in elementary school..." I groaned, going back in time.
"If you don't mind..." Hannah spoke up. "I would like to hear what happened."
I shook my head. "I would rather not..." I felt her place a hand on my arm and I put my hands down, looking at her.
She smiled. "Take all the time you need." A small frown replaced it. "Elementary was a nightmare for you, huh?"
"Same with my parents and him, something else I'm not open to tell you about," I added with a slump of my shoulders. "They're nightmares, too, until my aunt took me away from them." I moved some hair behind my ear. "Speaking of him..." I begin to bring up, squinting my eyes. "Tell me who the 'him' you were referring to when I was about to open Night Of The Living Dummy."
Her eyes darted from side to side. "Nothing," she said quickly. "I have no clue what you're talking about," she denied, brushing it off like it was nothing.
"Seriously?" I questioned her automatically.
"My dad doesn't want anyone to know he's-" She shut herself up, while I raised an eyebrow. "Like I said, it's nothing. Like how I told you how I prefer cloudy nights like how it is tonight. I mean, you would be shocked to know that I'm-" She stopped herself once more, and I knew she's hiding something from me, including her dad.
I rolled my eyes. "You and your dad are weird," I commented honestly.
"I take no offense to what you stated." Her eyes looked down. "Nice cell phone." I looked down, forgetting I had it with me. "I have one but it's at home. You have no idea how many times my dad calls me. He'll call me twenty to thirty times a day."
"He's being an extreme helicopter parent." Baffled, Hannah stared at me like I have no clue what I'm talking about, leaving me no choice to explain it to her in case she doesn't know what it means, careful not to anger her. "This is different from being a pushy parent like other parents who encourage children to do things, whereas extreme helicopter parents are the total opposite. What your dad is doing isn't good, checking on you constantly or even tracking you digitally. He shouldn't be doing that-"
"He's my dad and he isn't being a 'extreme helicopter parent'," she cut me off, making quotes with her fingers. She looked annoyed and she is. "He's a worrywart-"
"Worrywart?" It was my turn to cut in, getting frustrated. "He isn't a worrywart, Hannah, he's being brutal to you. You won't admit it 'cause you're too scared to do so!"
"He isn't being brutal!" I shrunk back when Hannah yelled. "He's an overprotective-"
"There you go again," I ended up arguing. "You say he's being 'overprotective'. Guess what? Keeping you locked up inside isn't being protective," I gave her a reality check.
"I can agree that being locked up isn't fun but he has a big secret..."
"I know, I know, he doesn't want anyone to know he owns Goosebumps books which are written by R.L. Stine who mysteriously vanished with no trace. I got it." I scrunched up my face. "It doesn't give him the excuse to keep you indoors."
The anger Shivers' daughter had replaced with frown. She took a deep breath. "Actually..." I sat there, waiting for what she had to say. She paused, like she's thinking about it. "Never mind. I cannot tell you his real secret." She got up, walking away.
"Huh? Hannah, what do you mean?" I caught up to her.
"I need to get home before my dad finds out," she said, ignoring me.
"At least tell me what you mean by his real secret. Unless..." No, Ezzy. Shivers didn't write those books that are in his study. "Please tell me..." I begged, taking her arm.
Jerking her arm free, she replied. "I cannot tell you. Dad doesn't want me to have friends since he has a big secret." She sighed. "And you won't know what it is anytime soon. Neither would anyone..."
I stood there for half a second as she went off, then caught up to her again. "I'm going to figure it out, you know. I heard you and your dad talking the other day. I recall your dad not wanting anyone to know who you guys are, especially him. Not only you said he has a big secret, but so do you. I'd rather know what your dad's secret is instead of yours, even though this 'I don't want to get caught by the cops' isn't worth buying since your secret is as big as his."
"Ezzy, I can't tell you," she insisted, walking a bit faster.
"Why not?" I demanded an answer from her. I wanted to force her to admit what is going on, wanting to know why she keeps denying the questions I'm giving her, denying everything.
"Because I cannot spill anything!" She kept going, the sticks breaking with each step she made. "It's the one answer I'm giving to you. I have to keep his secret in order for him to not get mad."
"The reason why you don't want him to get mad is to avoid being hit," I tried to assume when she snapped her face in my direction, her eyes not glad at what I brought up when she stopped in her tracks. "Those like you who act this way are due to domestic violence. Whenever your dad is around you, you switch into someone else. You're smiling when you and I are with each other, except when your horrible dad appears, you-"
"He isn't a horrible dad!" My trapped shut off when she yelled, her hands turning into fists. "He's strict, is all. He loves me like a lot of parents are."
I scoffed, unable to take in what she's saying. "He should let you be outside. He should take you to places since your his...princess." I thought about what I said, then came up with something else. "I take back what I said, he doesn't treat you like a princess. He treats you like..." My mind went empty when I couldn't think of anything that is the opposite of a princess. "Forget it..." I said, disappointed in myself. "All I want is the truth from both of you." I moved past her, pushing her to the side. "I'll find out what these secrets are. I'll find them in no time. I'll find out why you don't want to tell the truth, I'll be sure to get your dad to talk, and I'll have the answers to why the manuscripts are locked up like secret dairies." I let out a sad sigh, the disappointment melting away as I kept going when Hannah caught up to me.
"Ezzy, look..." Running her fingers through her hair like a comb, she walked with me. "...I don't mean to be mad at you," she apologized depressed, feeling bad about it. "You don't know what really is going on within my dad's home."
"I know, it isn't surprising," I couldn't help but reply with sarcasm, already knowing what was going on in that house.
"We do argue," she continued to talk when we reached the sidewalk. "It's a father-daughter thing. Everyone knows what it's like to have those kinds of arguments. Yes, he's strict but it doesn't mean he doesn't care for me."
I wanted to disagree, though I thought better of it. I would rather avoid a fight from her cause I can see she isn't the one to back down from one unless it's her and her dad. What she's telling me is the stuff she wants me to believe, as I reject everything. I have no clue what an overprotective parent is, though I do know that a parent who is too proactive doesn't keep their kids indoors all day long, everyday.
My aunt isn't an overprotective person at the very least, or else I'll go bonkers like how I assume Hannah is being. She must be tired of staying indoors all the time thanks to her dad for not letting her go out to socialize and hang out with her kind. I wouldn't be surprised if Shivers has anyone to hang out with considering how much of a brute he is.
I won't lie, he is a brute. I don't care what my aunt tells me. I know how Shivers is, despite how she hadn't caught his attitude when she handed him the plate of cookies for him and his daughter to enjoy.
I wish he would be honest with me for I don't tolerate lies since I've been through it back at my old home.
At least I won't hear anymore unlike the new lies I'm receiving from the devil man. Hannah has also been lying to me, trying to convince me her dad doesn't beat her when I know he does. It could explain why she wears long sleeve shirts and pants in order to hide them to avoid anyone getting chary.
The thought of marks on her made me shiver within my spine, already picturing her on the floor in whatever room she's in while her dad... I snapped out of it, removing the image with a fast shake of my head. Such a disgusting thing I imagined inside my head. Shivers is full of evil, full of... He's full of evil is all I can come up with.
Getting to the home of Mr. Shivers, we got in the front yard. "It's been fun doing this with you," Hannah smiled when the two of us were halfway down the walkway. "We'll keep doing this as long as my dad doesn't catch me." I don't respond when she notices something. "What's that?" She was talking about the small piece of paper I totally forgot about.
"My phone number..." I handed it out to her. "I wanted to give my phone number to you...with you giving yours."
"That'll be a wonderful thing to do," she cherished, taking the small piece of paper. "I'm glad I'm getting another phone number other than my dad's. You're the best pal I'd ever had." I was then met with an embrace, her arms wrapping around me. I had this warm feeling inside of me that I hadn't felt before. It felt...special... Taking a step back, she put the piece of paper in her pants pocket. "I'll give it back to you tomorrow night."
"Alright," I simply returned, the warmness not only inside me but inside my heart not fading away. I was going to say more when the door suddenly slammed open, out came an angry Shivers. Hannah heard it, too, turning her head to see her dad with dark eyes, the two of us standing there.
Stepping down off the porch, Mr. Shivers hadn't removed his eye off of his daughter when he saw me, leading me to step forward, ready to stand up for her. He'd had to go through me first before he could get to her. I wish I had a weapon on me at this point. Thinking about it, I may have something to use against this man, so I made a note of it to make sure I won't forget it whenever it's a perfect time to set her free from her dad who's an imbecile.
I wasn't paying attention to Hannah, unaware of how she's feeling, but deep down, I know she's frantic, knowing whenever she speaks up, she will end up backing down due to her dad's dominant nature. His terrifying gaze can make someone's flesh creep up, something entirely working for me on the inside. I made sure to hide it for Hannah's sake.
He and I seemed to glare for what seemed to be forever, no sound on the street in the night air. Nothing made a sound, nothing at all. His eyes hadn't shifted into a different mood, the hard stare seemingly to go through his glasses. It's like he hoped his bone-chilling death stare would lead me to back away, to give in. He slowly came forward with slow, eerie steps, his lips in a thin, ticked off line. He came closer and closer, until he reached the middle of the walkway Hannah and I have been standing at.
I wanted to shrink away, wanting to give up this intense staring battle. He hadn't blinked during this entire time, making this situation a lot more scarier than it already is.
The fear of him is beginning to rise... I made sure not to back down from him. No way will I'll him lay a finger on her. He may do it to me whenever he wishes but not to his offspring. A wandering thought etched through my brain on what he uses on her, my mind visualizing a leather strap the person whom I feared the most back at home would use on me before my aunt took me in, so it's no doubt he may have one, too, or maybe a belt. He may not have anything on him at the moment, though it's a guarantee he had a leather strap or a belt inside his home somewhere. Worse, he may use an old electrical cord. It can be anything, really in order to cause significant pain on his only child.
I cannot agree with Hannah when she states her dad is strict, and I have no clue what a strict parent would look like anyway to be completely fair. He hadn't cracked a smile, either...
His eyes moved back to his daughter, hand reaching forward - when I smacked it away. "OW!" he hollered out loud. "Why you-"
"Keep your hands to yourself!" I yelled at him, ready to do it again.
He growled, rubbing his hand with the other. "God, I swear I'll call the police on you." Done with his hand message, he pushed me out of the way, grabbing Hannah's forearm. "I cannot believe I caught you out here again," he spoke darkly, leading his daughter to flinch. "You and I are going to have a serious conversation about this every time you do this behind my back. You're going to obey my orders. Keep going against them, and you know what will happen..." All Hannah can do is have this fear-stricken look on her. "You know what will come next for you, don't ya, Hannah?" She quickly nodded, then went to pull her arm away when his fingers tightened a bit. I went to free her when he began to make her walk against her own will, having her move her feet as quickly for how fast her dad is moving back to the porch.
"Dad-" She was pulled into the house. "Dad-" The front door slammed shut, echoing throughout the neighborhood. The lock was heard.
I wanted to leave, to go back, but I need to know what this 'serious' conversation Shivers is having with Hannah. Upon placing myself on the porch, I didn't want to knock on the door, knowing I'll get yelled at, so I looked to see if there was a window that forgot to be closed. I made sure my footsteps are soft, praying I won't be heard or be seen.
I managed to find an open window where it pointed to the empty house. I wasn't sure if this was opened by the man or he'd forgot to close it or perhaps to let the night air through, except it doesn't matter. All it matters is to catch the man in the act. When I do, I'll tell aunt Sarah and I know she'll believe me. She cannot say someone is friendly by looking at them, getting fooled by the false kindness from this guy. I wasn't fooled because I'm not stupid. The stupid person is this man.
The curtains covered the window. I dared not move it no matter how much I wanted to see inside. I let my ears do the work when I began to listen to the 'sweet' talk Shivers is having for his daughter.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay indoors? I tell you to stay in, yet, I keep catching you out in the front yard or anywhere else somewhere outside of our home. You do this every time in any town we've been living in. I'm lucky that you hadn't left our home to explore this place. I'm grateful you hadn't been kidnapped, or worse, killed out there. You have no idea what the people are like out there. You're lucky that no one knows what you really are, especially that Ezzy girl. If she knew, she'd blab it to the whole town. If she finds out who I actually am, my life wouldn't be the same. I have to keep this secret, the reason why you shouldn't be out there making friends. I made sure you don't talk to anyone out here, to make sure you do the same, to make sure those idiots don't go near us. Do you recall the last time back in the last place we lived when we had this discussion? I had to put you away, and you sure didn't like it, did you?" During this chat I was eavesdropping on, my mind became bewildered when he mentioned he'll put his daughter away. I have a sinking feeling where he does put her. "It wasn't fun being locked away...hasn't it, darling?" My heart skipped a beat when he mentioned locking away, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't mean locking her away from the outside world. The way he said it sent chill after chill throughout my spine. He sounded like one of my parents back home... the way he spoke to her... The goosebumps invaded my arms. "I know the feeling all too well..." It seems like this man won't let his daughter speak up. "Thanks to them who made my life miserable..."
"It doesn't mean I cannot be indoors!" I heard Hannah protest. "You may not have had a great life before I was around; it doesn't mean it would happen to me. I want to have friends, I-" A loud bang came from inside, followed by a cry came from inside, scaring me to the core. "Stop, dad!" she shrieked fearfully from within there. "You're getting yourself- Ahhh!" A scream was heard when another loud sound, like something was being thrown. "Dad! Quit it!" More deafening noises came, and I knew exactly what her dad was doing to her.
"They made my life unforgivable! If those dimwitted children hadn't made my life bad, I wouldn't have made those monsters I created!" There he goes again with the monsters and the created thing. Thinking about it, the true monster is him. "I wouldn't make that dummy to top it off!" I rolled my eyes, knowing who the actual dummy is. "Honest to God, I wished I could go back in time to stand up for myself. I couldn't though. I couldn't stand up for myself at least once! I blame them for everything!"
"Chill out, you're going to-" A sudden clang cut his daughter off. Why isn't anyone else hearing this!? Next was an abrupt thump, more louder than the other noises. "Cut it out!" However, from out here, it sounds like her father put cotton balls in his ears, blocking out all of the pleas from her. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" The noises don't end. "Dad, you're going to break something!"
"I blame them for everything!" Shivers repeated, letting his temper get the best of him. "I hate everyone! I hate the entire world!"
"Dad, relax!"
"All their FAULT!"
"Dad!"
"And you stay in the house!"
"You can't do that!"
"Yes, I can! I'm your dad, you listen to me!"
The argument stopped as I waited for Hannah to reply. "...alright..." she finally said in defeat. "I...I'll stay in..." Since I have known her since yesterday, she isn't going to keep her promise to her dad. She'll keep coming out of this very home, and, when I think about it, it seems like her dad wanted to see if she's still inside. I don't know when their bedtime schedule is, and I don't care. "...I'm going back to bed..." Footsteps are heard, indicating it was her, allowing myself to press my back against the wall to make sure she hadn't seen me, and to make sure her dad doesn't see me either.
I listened to what sounded like muttering gibberish, most likely coming from the creepy man, who probably wasn't done with his rant. I may have heard a lot of violent noises, though I hadn't heard any slaps. Doesn't mean he won't let it slip because I know someone all too well who would do the same to me everyday.
I hope my parents and him are dead in the near future...
I moved myself away, getting myself off the porch, heading back to my house. I said goodnight to my aunt before heading up to my room when my phone dinged out of nowhere.
I again almost forgot that I have this... I opened up my phone, seeing a message when I reached my bedroom. There was a speech bubble and I tapped it with my thumb as I sat on my bed.
I got your number on my phone. Want me to send you my phone number on here? the message read.
Knowing it was Hannah, I fumbled with my phone until I found the Contacts app. The problem is that I can't find her name, for I only see my aunt's. I went back to the speech bubble owned by Hannah, seeing there was a reply button and I did just that. Yes, because I won't be able to talk to you because your name isn't on my contacts list. I tapped sent and she immediately responded back.
No problem, girl. On this message, there was a happy face with closed eyes with teeth showing. I don't return the same feeling. Then, she gave me her contact number, and I quickly memorized it, putting it on my Contacts list, then added Hannah's name to it.
Thanks... I typed in return.
You're welcome. Another tooth grinned face. Do you have Messenger on your phone?
Of all the apps I have, I don't doubt it. I went to Messenger, seeing her name on there. I have your name under my aunt's name.
Sweet, we can text each other. A third happy face, this time with open eyes with an open, smiling mouth. It's like she wants me to smile... I wish you would smile, so far you've been solemn, along with getting mad... When was the last time you were happy?
Seeing this made me unsure what to say next. I sighed as I responded. ...I cannot remember the last time I was happy, Hannah...
There was a long pause until I saw three dots moving. Aww, don't talk like that, I'm sure you are... The text ended unexpectedly, having me quirk an eyebrow. I have a feeling who ended our little discussion. It was within seconds she messaged me back, saying something different. I gotta go to bed before my dad flips.
I know the feeling...
Huh?
Never mind, I'll see you tomorrow night...
Kay...
The texts ended and I set my phone on my bed table when I spotted a small cord and a little note. I read it, discovering it was my charger for my phone. I checked my phone, seeing the battery not being low, but I plugged it into my charger, anyway, seeing a lightning bolt.
I wasn't going to bed. No, I still have to wait for the right time, so I thought I would wait for a few more hours until it was the middle of the night. Looking at the clock on my phone, I saw it was past ten thirty. Time sure fly by... I decided to wait for three more hours.
I have to get Hannah out of that house. I laid in my bed, pretending I was asleep, waiting for my aunt to go to bed, waiting for the three hours to be up. While I waited, I got out of my bed, going over to my Goosebumps books, pulling one out titled Why I'm Afraid Of Bees. Bees...the ones I saw in my dream I recalled when Hannah and I were at the graveyard. And they weren't small like the ones I see. Thinking about it, I saw the athletic boy using baseball bats to smash the stinging insects...and I wasn't there. I think he was at a school library? Was it the same school in my wild dream? I cannot be too sure... All I know from that part is that I wasn't where the good looking guy is at. Nor was I with the awkward boy when he... No, no, there's no way he'll do that. In my dream, he's a fearful kind of guy. It can't be right...
My hope is that the dream is completely fake, but I cannot shake the feeling on how real it felt. I put the book back, pulling another one titled Dr. Maniac VS. Robby Schwartz, when I'm self reminded about a crazy wild haired man along with the other man who has anger issues.
I put that book back, pulling out a different one - Revenge Of The Lawn Gnomes. I stared at the cover, tracing my fingers on the Goosebumps 3D print, feeling the bumps along with it. The images of the gnomes I saw in my dream bounced back, recalling being in the kitchen where I was with Hannah, the two boys, and... I snapped the picture out of my head, not wanting to believe who the last person was.
I'm not in the mood for reading anymore... I swear, whenever I keep taking a book off of my bookcase, it'll remind me of that dream. I went to my window, spotting the same broken one from across where Hannah's bedroom is at. I felt guilty for damaging it, feeling sorry for her for telling a lie to her dad when I was hiding underneath her bed.
I wonder when it'll get fixed. I don't see Hannah looking out through her window, fearing that her dad will catch her not sleeping. In my mind, from the last text I received, it seemed that her dad is still ticked, and from the awful noises, it's clear what kind of man Shivers really is.
If only my aunt can see his true colors...
I stayed by the window, drumming my fingers on the windowsill. During my tapping, I saw Hannah's curtain being moved by Shivers. I got out of view, peeking from my eyes as I watched him expect the window, carefully tracing his fingers on the sharp glass to avoid cutting himself.
I want him to cut himself, actually. To feel the same pain he inflicts his daughter. I know what she's going through; all the signs are there. I don't understand why Hannah won't tell me the truth. She's a friend. I think friends are supposed to tell each other the truth. And her dad saying he isn't doing anything to his daughter. If he isn't hurting her, then she wouldn't get fearful when she sees him.
Shivers disgusts me. I may be afraid of him, though at the same time, he disgusts me. A dad shouldn't treat their daughter badly. I wonder why Hannah never reported him to the police. She couldn't be too scared of her dad to call the cops on him.
I need to get her our of that house, but I need to grab something. I removed myself from the window, going over to my dresser, pulling one of the top drawers. I began searching through all my socks and undergarments. "I know it's in here somewhere..." I said softly, until my fingers felt a leather material, smooth to the touch. I pulled it out, seeing it was a brown belt I sometimes use for my jeans.
Looking at it brought dark memories of the leather strap someone would use on me, making me shudder. I don't want Shivers to know I have this thing, except I have no idea on how to hide it. Oh well. I waited for three hours to be up, and when it was up, I placed the belt on my right shoulder, heading out of my room, going down the steps to the front door.
I placed myself outside, greeted by the same silence. I moved forward, making a sharp turn to Shivers home stopping at the beginning of the walkway. Taking a deep breath, I headed in the front yard, going to the exact tree I climbed before.
I hoisted myself up onto one of the branches, and began to climb to the very window Hannah uses to get out of the house, and the one I used to get in.
I gasped when my foot suddenly slipped. I almost cried out in alarm when I felt the tree scratch me on my neck. I grabbed one of the branches quickly. Without thinking about it, I felt my neck when I noticed it felt wet. And I knew at that moment I scratched open the same mark. I moved my hand, seeing blood. It wasn't a lot, but it sure bled.
The blood stained my hand when I tried to wipe it off my pants since I never bothered to get dressed for bed, then continued climbing to the window.
Reaching it, I saw it was opened. It seems like Hannah forgot to close it when she snuck out here to avoid her dad as long as she can.
I'm surprised he hadn't searched for her when she wasn't in the yard.
I made my way in, being as quiet as possible. The hallway wasn't too dark and I regret being in here. I shook the feeling away. I need to get Hannah and tell her my plan.
Making sure to step quietly, the first thing I need to do is disabled the alarms. Due to that, I have to cut the cords once I find where the security alarms are located, then have a hunch on where they could be at. I remembered opening up the front door the last time I was in here when Hannah told me to leave and the sirens went off like crazy. If I was right, the first one could be located where the front door is at.
I softly went down the stairs, going to the front door. I searched for the first security system, spotting a black cord I've seem to miss plugged into an out-lit. It was barely noticeable, for how thin it was. I followed the thin cord, finding the first security alarm, which is screwed into the wall, at the right hand corner of the front door.
Knowing I won't be able to reach it, all I need to do is cut the cord. The issue is that I didn't bring any scissors with me. I looked around, bound to find a pair in this house.
I walked carefully, not wanting to be caught. I have no idea if Shivers is a light sleeper or a deep sleeper, and I don't want to find out. No way I want to know. All I'm focused on is getting my friend out of here.
I managed to get myself in the kitchen, where I saw a door there, guessing it was the back one, and like at the front door, there was a security system with a thin cord plugged into the wall.
I searched for the pair of scissors, opening up one of the drawers filled with all sorts of things. I landed my eyes on the pair of scissors, taking a hold of them. I shut the drawer, then went up to the cord. I opened up the scissors - and cut the first cord of the back door security alarm. The wires within the cord sparked a little.
After I cut it, part of me feels awful. I don't think having security set up in a house is cheap. It doesn't matter though, all it matters is to get Hannah out of here, go to the police, and tell them what's happening.
Going back to the front door, I did the same thing to the other cord, splitting them apart with a single snip.
Once that one was cut, I wondered if Hannah missed any other security systems, aside the front and back doors, that she might've missed. So I walked out of the kitchen, spotting another door. For some reason, there wasn't a security alarm occupying this door, making me wonder where this door leads to. I grasp the doorknob, turning it, swinging it open.
A pair of steps greeted me when I figured out this door leads to the basement. Not much light was down there, though it was enough to see. I slowly made my way down, grabbing the belt off my shoulder in case anything pops out at me. The steps don't groan from my weight as I made it to the bottom. I looked around, seeing how there are cobwebs everywhere, along with dusty shelves. I don't think Shivers has ever come down here for who knows how long.
Not that it matters, anyway. I spotted what looks to be a cuckoo clock, going over to it. Curious, I wondered if it still works. I placed my left hand on it - when I jumped back with a startled gasp when a yellow bird popped out, making the cuckoo noise, tumbling backwards, until I felt something clamp down hard on my right ankle, sending searing pain.
I held back a scream of agony, not knowing what it is, but hoped whatever this is, isn't breaking my ankle. It wasn't easy to hold in painful screams when being in this much pain. I lifted up my right leg to free myself from the object when my back made contact with the wall where the shelves are at. Something fell on me, with the other things right behind it, forcing me to the concrete floor.
A whoosh of air came out, leaving me to curl up in a ball as the stuff continued to fall, the sound of breaking surrounding me nonstop. My open mark hurt, my ankle in excruciating pain, my back all sore.
"Who's down there?" My eyes widened when I heard Shivers, light hitting the floor from somewhere. "Who's in the basement?" The light moved when he came down here, who had his phone in hand, using the flashlight mode. "Come on out," he ordered, when he looked down, and I saw what he was looking at, making me cover my mouth from gasping. There, I saw bear traps, the jaws wide and open, ready for something - or someone - to be a victim to those things. "One of these are missing," he said, a little angry. "I never have any of these missing." This coming from him, I couldn't believe he'll have bear traps all opened up down here. It explains why my ankle is hurting too much since I now know what it is. "Ugh, when I find who is down here, I'll-" The light swept over and he stopped his threat, catching me. He and I stared at one another when I saw his face contorted with pure anger. "Why are you here!? How did you get in here?!" He stomped over, hoisting me off the floor by grasping the fabric of my shirt. "I should've heard the alarms go off!"
I tried to ignore the pain when I responded. "I... I...cut the cords..." Tears sprang into my eyes, my teeth pressed tightly together.
"You what?!" he screamed in fury. "You cut the cords?! Those security alarms are expensive! How did you ever get in!?" Not once did he stop hollering in my face.
"I...went through a window..." I moaned. "...where a tree is at..." It felt like the jaws of the trap were getting tighter. I wanted him to let go. Thankfully, I hadn't dropped my belt. I raised it until I made contact with his upper arm.
He instantly released his grasp, stunned. "Grr..." he growled, rubbing the area where I whacked him. "You little..." I ignored him as I sat down, trying to open the trap back up, the teeth looking like a shark's cutting into my skin. "I cannot believe you," he managed to get out.
"You..." Grabbing the trap with both hands, I succeeded in getting the trap to let go of me. "...better believe it." I tossed the trap, letting it land with the others. "Now you know how it feels to be treated badly. Like how your daughter felt."
"She's fine. I'm not hurting her in any sort of way." The thing I can do is roll my eyes when he denied what I stated, not believing him at any second. "It's not like that I have something on me, barging into her room to beat her - which I don't do." This man kept on with his lie as he went on. "We may have arguments; it doesn't mean I love her less. I may keep her indoors all the time, but it doesn't mean I'm a bad dad-"
"Then explain all the commotion I heard!" I sort of shouted. "There were a bunch of things being thrown from what I was hearing, Hannah screaming for you to stop. It's clear signs of domestic violence. However, the problem is that you don't want to admit it. Not even Hannah wants to tell the truth to me all thanks to you."
"I'm not doing anything to my daughter!" he cried, wanting to argue. "You can't make assumptions-"
"I'm not making assumptions!" I stomped my foot. "I know what you're doing is wrong. Yet, you keep denying it like how they did." I saw a shift in his eyes when I realized I almost revealed about my parents and him. I shook my head. "Forget it. I keep trying to keep that in the past, but they'll remain in my memories as long as I live." I glared at him. "You're worse than one of my parents..." I limped away to the stairs when I got grabbed. "Release me!" I yelled out, ready to smack him again when the belt got taken away from me. "Give it back!" I exclaimed edgy.
"The two of us are going to your house so I can tell your aunt what you-" He got cut off when I kicked him in the shins. "Agh!" He held his right leg with his left hand. "Man!" was all he could say, ticked at what I'd done.
"Give back the belt," I demanded boldly. "And let go of me," I added, seeing he hadn't released my wrist.
"You don't tell an adult what to do, young lady."
"Too bad, so sad. Let go of me before I rip out your hair until you have none left."
He thought about my threat, letting me go. "...Fine." He handed back the belt. "Now...get out..." he seethed.
"Will do..." I obeyed, heading back upstairs to the first floor to the second with him following me. "I will get your daughter out of here. I may not have gotten to her to tell her my plan, but I will tell her the next time I see her." I slipped myself out from the second window, placing my feet on the branches, his eerie eyes cutting into me. To be completely honest, his stares kept giving me the creeps. I slowly made my way down, my ears catching the sound of the window being shut and locked.
I made it all the way down, heading to the safety of my home. I silently walked in, unable to stop limping. I kicked my shoes off, and I made my way back upstairs to the bathroom to take a good look at the scar I had opened.
Observing it, it doesn't seem too bad even though it bled a lot. I opened up the cabinet above from the bathroom sink, taking out a box of band-aids in different sizes and colors. Along with it, I took out a small pack of cotton balls, with hydrogen peroxide. I opened up the pack of cotton balls, taking one out. It felt soft and fuzzy. I opened up the hydrogen peroxide. I poured a small amount on the ball of softness then put the lid back on.
I found a rag, using it to wipe off the blood off my neck. It was strange when Hannah's father hadn't noticed how much pain I was in, how he hadn't noticed the cut I made when I almost fell from the tree. All I can think of is that he was too focused on why I was in his home uninvited. I would've whacked him more with the belt, but when it got taken away from me, I feared he would hit me like he does to my friend, to his daughter.
He can lie how much he wants; it's how a lot of parents who have dark hearts would do, something I've been through too many times.
I set the rag down, taking another good look at my own injury. The cut where the scar is at is about five to almost six inches long. I placed the cotton ball, sucking in a breath when I felt the stinging sensation of the hydrogen peroxide. It sizzled, creating teeny bubbles. It burned on the open cut.
I have such a low pain tolerance. I didn't want to wake my aunt up and asked me how I hurt myself. I can never handle it, even when I lightly bump into something, whatever part of my body it will be, it will hurt to the extreme.
I threw away the cotton ball after I was done, opening up the box of band-aids. I took one out, peeling it open. I removed the white paper from the back of the band-aid to reveal the sticky part. I threw the white parts of the band-aid away, then placed the band-aid on my cut.
With that done, I checked my ankle, rolling up my pant leg. It was still sore, but thankfully, the sharp teeth of one of the bear traps the insane man has in his basement hadn't pierced into my skin, though it made indents. I was lucky it didn't break my ankle bone. I should be...happy... My friend wanted to know when the last time I felt that way was when we had that small text talk on our phones.
She wanted me to smile. But nothing makes me put a grin on my face. Not even when she's being my friend. Though deep down, I have that feeling - the same feeling - she isn't pretending to be one.
My mind, on the other side, isn't so sure...
I tip-toed to my bedroom, tossing the belt on the dresser. It was a good thing I had it on me in case Hannah's dad would do something terrible to me like he does to his kid.
I was still angry when he ignored how much agony I had been during being caught in one of those stupid bear traps. It's like... It's like he doesn't...care... Like how they wouldn't care back home...
Anger turned to despair. Then back to anger. I hurried back to the medicine cabinet to take out the bottles of pills. I gave them a death look. "Why won't you work?" I didn't yell. I talked to these in a low whisper like these were living things. "You are supposed to make me feel better, yet you aren't doing a great job at it. I'm starting to think you guys don't work at all. The only pills that do work are my sleep pills - even though I was up one night back in Maryland when I was reading my books." I went over to the small trash can, pressing the lever with my foot, opening up the trash can lid. "I'm never taking these things again, even if my new therapist will give me new ones when I see him...or her," I said a word of honor. I let go of the pill bottles, letting them drop to the bottom of the trash can. I moved my foot off the lever, with no regrets.
I headed back to my bedroom, into my bed, and went to sleep...
The woods were silent like it's always been. No animal ran, no bug made a sound. There weren't any birds to be found. Every once in a while the trees will sway one way to another, being moved by the wind that I don't feel for some unknown reason...the hairs on my arms going straight up, not going flat back down. I felt like I was being watched...
My breathing was slow as I took tentative steps, avoiding the fallen branches. I looked around, trying to spot someone who was watching me, almost resulting in me tripping over a thick root protruding into the earth.
I kept going, passing the neglected amusement park to the old house. I stopped, the feeling of being watched continuing. I felt in danger, my eyes darting from left to right like a frightened animal. Or in this case, a person. It felt like whoever is eyeing me isn't too friendly... Like this person is...
I jumped when I heard what sounded like a snap. It turned out I was frightened by a branch with someone's foot on it. The foot belonged to Hannah when she emerged from the woods. I wanted to calm down, except something inside me told me not to. Something is telling me to stay away from her. My feet felt glued to the ground, watching when she came walking up the spot I'm at. I wanted to move, and I couldn't do it. I felt trapped at every angle.
"Hi there, Ezzy," Hannah greeted, finally reaching where I'm at.
"Oh... Hi..." I returned hesitantly.
She smiled, lifting her arms and stretching them out. As soon as I saw this, I immediately became nervous, my heart beating faster than it normally does. She wanted a hug, except...I cannot recall the last time I had someone other than my aunt hugging me and me giving back the favor. I quickly shook my head, stepping backwards. She caught my unresponsive behavior and commented. "Come on. I'm not going to bite!"
I looked away, digging my upper teeth into my bottom lip.
Have confidence... She's a friend, right...? No way she'll be like those jerks back home.
I exhaled a heavy breath, though it didn't calm my nerves. I'm trying extremely hard to remember the hug I had with someone that isn't my aunt. I...I couldn't. I have no recollection of having an embrace from someone else.
I slowly came forward, my eyes on the ground, refusing to look at her. She's a friend... She's your buddy... She won't hurt you... She isn't a bad person like her dad... She wouldn't do anything against me... I told myself this over and over. I stopped, slowly picking my arms up to accept her offer.
However, just before I could place them around her, I felt a sudden forceful push. I was knocked backwards, slamming the back of my head on the ground to see a disgruntled Hannah, both hands in tight fists, indicating that she was the one who pushed me.
"Ugh!" she expressed, angrily looking down at me. "You really think I want to touch someone like you?!"
I was shocked beyond horrified. "B-But you... you wanted me to hug you. You wanted to hug me!"
"Are you kidding me!?" she yelled, picking up a foot and dropping it back down, barely missing one of my legs. "There's NO WAY I will ever embrace someone who is such a loser." I went to sit up when she stomped on my right leg, causing me to cry out. "I don't give hugs to people like you. My father is better-"
"Your dad is a jerk!" I screamed, struggling to get free.
"Don't talk to my dad that way!" she shrieked, her voice shrill. "I can have him come here and-"
"Get off my leg!" I cried, finally freeing myself, getting back up, only for her to knock me back to grass. The grass may be soft, though the ground is hard as a rock.
"You gross me out..."
"You're my friend!"
"My friend?! You think I'm your friend?! Ew! I would rather be friends with someone else."
"Hannah-!"
She went on complaining, her look on her face filled with irritation, not letting me have a chance to speak. I didn't get up off the ground, pulling myself, placing my arms over my face to hide my watery eyes. She is supposed to be my friend... Why is this happening...? Is she being serious? I...I don't know what to think. Everything is too confusing... It's like what happened at my old school.
It's happening all over again... I kept my face hidden, letting every hurtful word that was spilling out of Hannah's mouth to sink into my skin...
Sunlight, early sunlight, poured into the window, creating a window shadow shape on my bedroom floor. I sat up, my hair a complete mess, the back of my neck all moist, including my hands. I shortly discovered I had sweated during the night, something which hadn't happened to me. It surprised me to be fair. The clothes I'd worn from yesterday stuck to my skin like glue.
My eyes were bleary, my vision blurred. My mouth is a bit dry on the inside. I shook my head, trying to wake myself up, scratching the top of my head. Afterwards, I planted myself back on the mattress, recalling the scary dream I had.
Hannah... It was extremely frightening. She wanted a hug, only to shove me to the grassy floor of the outside world - or dream world in that case - in full disgust, her ticked off face pasted into my head. I remembered what all the things she said, how painful they were... How...real it was...
No, no. It was a dream. It was only a dream. The real Hannah wouldn't think of saying something horrible. Her yelling and me...talking... I probably talked in my sleep while I had the awful dream. I turned to my left side, picking up my pillow, and placed it over my head. I wanted to go back to sleep...
"Ezzy, get down here!" ...Guess sleep wasn't an option, and by the tone from the voice, aunt Sarah doesn't sound happy. "Now!" I moved myself off the bed, confused on why she was yelling, reminding me of... "Mr. Shivers is at the door!" she hollered for the third time.
I blinked, the sleepiness going away at an instant. "Shivers?" Why is he...? The shock turned to anger, the anger getting me to walk, more like stomping out of my room down the steps. "What are you doing here?" I questioned displeased, not giving him a chance to say anything.
Aunt Sarah had her mouth dropped open. "Ezzy, we do not talk to someone like that." I huffed, my eyes glaring at my neighbor who'd sent me back his eerie stare. "Shivers came here and told me you trespassed into his home and snipped the cords of his security alarms. He found you last night down in his basement."
"I had to save Hannah!" I exclaimed, interrupting her.
"And you hit him with a belt," she continued.
"And kicked me," Shivers added, taking off his glasses to clean the lenses with his shirt.
"I have to let you know how it feels!" My morning isn't going well. "How it feels to get hurt!" The two looked at me like I was insane. "It's why I did it. He-" I pointed at his face as my eyes stared at my aunt. "-keeps lying, saying he isn't doing any harm on his daughter."
"I'm not lying!"
"See? He's doing it again."
"If I were lying, I wouldn't tell your aunt here what you did last night. I will make up a story like some story writer."
"You are making up stories, you dimple-head!"
"Ezz!"
"Your daughter is better off with someone else from a so-called dad like you. If you hadn't done anything to her mom and your wife, she would have her instead of you. She wouldn't be going through this...this...cruelty. She would know her mom if she was around. You probably beat your wife up enough to...kill her. Yeah, it's what you did, you jerk. Since she doesn't have a mom anymore and more likely doesn't remember her, it's clear you're taking your anger issues out on her by ordering her to stay indoors, not wanting her to make friends, and anything else you make her do. You avoid telling the truth because it's how all parents are just like you. You make something up to make others believe you. Hannah told me you and her move from one town to the next, and when I think about it, you do it to get away from the questions about child abuse-"
"I'm not abusing my daughter!" Shivers cried, placing his eye wear back on. "You have no proof."
"Hannah's behavior changing every time she sees you is proof. Including arguing," I said, crossing my arms.
"It's a father-daughter thing," he replied, rubbing the sides of his head.
I rolled my eyes sarcastically. "Sure, like throwing things all over the place is considered a father-daughter argument."
"You were throwing things in your house, Mr. Shivers?" Aunt Sarah gasped shocked, a hand on her chest.
"My anger got the better of me," he explained to her. "Believe it or not, I do lose my temper when my daughter and I have our fights. Our disagreements."
"It doesn't make any sense," I cut in, pretending my aunt glaring at me isn't happening. "Hannah was screaming in fear to get you to stop."
He went to yell when he stopped. He pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out long exhale from his mouth. His eyes were shut tight, knowing he won't win over this argument.
Or so I thought.
"She was trying to get me to relax, is all..." he said slowly, letting out another exhale. "It terrifies her when I get too mad..."
"I can tell..." my aunt imagined, making me roll my eyes again. "I feel awful for the both of you," she sympathized dearly, this time my eyes widening when she felt sorry for both this man and his daughter, when really she shouldn't feel bad for this sinister being who is in our house. "I don't have anger issues, though I know someone who does," she went on with her sympathy. I wanted to know who she was talking about but brushed it off. "Have you ever sought help for it?" she questioned.
"No, I don't seek help, thanks for my daughter," he answered, shifting his attention back to me. "It's great that I have her since my wife left me."
"You don't have a wife!" I exclaimed loudly. "You're denying the facts - the true facts - I gave out."
"Then your 'facts' aren't in the correct places then," Shivers said, quoting with his fingers.
"They are, too, in the correct places," I argued fuming. "If you're wife was still alive after you put death upon her, Hannah will remember her mother-"
"I DIDN'T MURDER MY WIFE; SHE LEFT ME! HANNAH DOESN'T REMEMBER HER BECAUSE SHE WASN'T AROUND AT THE TIME! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S-" Before he could scream any further, my aunt stopped him quickly.
"Okay, okay, okay," she chilled him out, placing a shoulder to calm him down. "There's no need for that. Here, why not have some coffee with me. We can discuss what punishment my niece should have-"
"What?!" I screeched, stopping aunt Sarah who is about to take Shivers into the kitchen to offer him a cup of coffee. "You're punishing me for wanting to save Hannah from him?!" I cried, jabbing a finger at the man.
"Hannah isn't in any danger..." my aunt tried to say yet I cut her off.
"She is in danger. He keeps lying about what he does to her - and you're not listening to me!"
"Ezzy, you need to stop being paranoid." I opened my mouth when she raised her hand. "You cannot go 'Hannah is in trouble' all because Shivers and his daughter have their fights-"
"He was throwing things, like I mentioned!" I yelled.
She squinted her eyes. "You've thrown things when your anger gets out of hand." I blinked when she kept talking. "Back home after I got you out of the horrid ordeal, you would throw things around in your old room back when you were ten. You'd create such a mess."
"I don't remember doing that," I said.
"You were ten," she repeated the age when it happened. "Go upstairs and take your medic-"
"I threw them out last night," I told her abruptly.
She stared at me while Shivers can remain silent, having me forget he was still here within this house. "You...threw out your medication?"
I felt ashamed. "...yes..." I managed. "I..."
"You shouldn't have done that." She rubbed her eyes. "I'll call a therapist after Shivers and I discuss about your punishment," she sighed, like she felt defeated. She made a follow me motion with her hand. "Kitchen is this way, Mr. Shivers. I do hope you like coffee. It's the only thing I like to have in the morning. I cook, too. But after what you told me, I'm too disappointed with what my niece has done." My eyes sent daggers when she still thinks what I did is wrong. "Ezzy, get different clothes on, and make yourself something to eat," she said to me.
My scowling eyes replaced with sorrow, my shoulders slumping. "...sure..." I went back upstairs, feeling Hannah's dad eye me like a hawk as I trudged up to my bedroom. I got new pairs of clothing, going into the bathroom to take a shower to get rid of the sweat.
My shower all done, I went back downstairs to the kitchen, seeing my aunt pouring two cups of coffee - one for her and one for Shivers. She also put the creamer in the coffee mugs. Afterwards, the two took their mugs by the handles and went to the table to talk about what I should do after I 'trespassed' Shivers house.
Fairly, I did, only for a good reason. I didn't go in there to commit murder. I came there to save Hannah, tell her about my plan, and report everything to the cops.
Too bad it won't ever happen because now there won't be any chance in saving my one friend. She's been kind unlike those back home, not judging me even though she's keeping secrets, especially when I questioned her why she kept going from shade to shade, why she prefers cloudy nights. It's like she doesn't trust me... I'll find out someday as long as it isn't too late for her, like it was too late for her mom.
Her mom... I grabbed a box of Fruity Pebbles from the cabinet, picturing what her mom would have looked like. It's difficult to say the least to imagine someone who Hannah never met. And it's because Shivers killed her mom and his wife. Since his wife is gone, his one way to get his anger out on Hannah.
When I think about it, could Hannah be...adopted? Is that the reason she doesn't recall having a mother figure? But...when her dad mentioned the word 'create', it didn't make sense when he said it, then quickly changed to when he said he took her in.
I guess she is adopted after answering my own questions. I'll have to ask Hannah about it when I see her tonight. I poured some of the cereal in a bowl, got the milk, and added it in there. I put the milk away and ate by the counter. No way am I eating my food where Shivers is at, talking to my aunt.
I hope she doesn't date him. He doesn't deserve women.
Wait a minute, she seems to like the waitress where she and I ate at. Or it could be her friendly nature, probably. I cannot tell the difference between two people liking each other as friends or like like each other.
I spooned another mouthful of the cereal when my aunt came and spoke. "Shivers and I agreed on a punishment..." I listened, chewing, not paying much attention. "He and I decided that you're gonna help him around the house." Her announcement caught me off guard when the milk went down the wrong pipe, making me cough uncontrollably. "You're going to help him with chores, go grocery shopping to help pick out the food, and anything else he wants you to do."
"You..." My coughing continued as I tried to speak, the words getting stuck. "...can't do..." I put the bowl down, my hand on the counter. "...that," I spit out, unable to stop. "Why..." Cough, cough, cough. "...would I..." More coughs. "...help him around..." More coughs came. "...the house? He is a creep; he's going to do bad things to me."
"He isn't someone who does that, Ezzy," Aunt Sarah responded, getting out a cup, filling it up with water. She gave it to me. I took it, and began to drink the water. "If you'd get to him..."
"I refuse to do such a thing. Besides, he doesn't know I was the one who broke Hannah's bedroom window." I drank more of the water.
"You're the one who broke my daughter's bedroom window?!" Shivers raged, and I had another fit of coughing when the water went down the wrong way like the milk had done. "She told me some kid did it. I should've known it was you."
"It...was an accident," I strained, slamming the cup down, hard enough to where it should've shattered to pieces. "Thank you for giving me another fit of coughing," I tried to say with sarcasm, except it was too hard to do so. "I'm going to my room to read." Afterwards, I stomped up to my room, my coughing fit still going.
Slamming my bedroom door, snatching a book from my bookcase, not caring which one it was. I roughly opened it up, going to the first chapter of the book. I plopped on my bed, reading, wanting my mind to wander away from helping my horrible neighbor. No way I'm helping him around the house with anything he wants me to do. He can do things himself; he isn't an elderly person. If he was, sure I can lend him a hand - unless he isn't evil. The punishment my aunt told me is utterly wrong. It's so wrong. I may end up helping the man until he dies.
I wanted him dead. Actually, scratch that, he should move - without Hannah being with him. I flipped to another page, ticked. I made sure to not rip the pages from my anger.
I soon realized I was too fed up to read, throwing my book across my room. It hit the wall, landing on the floor. I don't bother to retrieve it. I stayed where I was, crossing my arms, turning to my left side. I breathed out of my nose like a bull who's in a bad mood. I get bad moods; deal with it. A person who likes to help bad people is nuts in the head. Aunt Sarah should've given me a better punishment, like grounding me.
I don't need to be punished for what I did last night. I've been...punished enough... The dark memories flood in, recalling everything from my much younger childhood... I can almost feel the hits and slaps... I know my aunt wouldn't do such a thing, yet those 'punishments' left nasty scars inside and out.
A knock came. "Go away, Mr. Creep." I sure wasn't in the mood to chat with him. Knock, knock, knock. "You should know what 'go away' means; you use it all the time."
"Ezzy...it's me..." It was my aunt, opening up the door. "And Shivers isn't a creep, hon," she added, walking into my room like I invited her in. "He is creepy," she admitted lightly. "Though he's been nice to us..."
"Nice to us?" I questioned. "He screamed at me. He's like her who will do that to me."
My aunt sighed, knowing who I'm referring to. "I know; it's why I had to stop him. He was getting exasperated from you accusing him of killing his wife when he already said she left him."
"It's a lie," I said convinced.
"No it isn't. Did you see the ring he had? He hadn't taken it off. It may seem like he hasn't moved on." She came over and sat on my bed, taking a few strands of my hair. I felt her eyes on my bandage. "I see you cut yourself."
"I almost fell from a tree..." I mumbled uncomfortably.
"We have a tree in our yard?" she questioned, not surprised. "I should've paid more attention, then."
"No, the tree in Shivers' yard. I used it to get in the house. The window was open," I explained, not telling her that Hannah uses the window and tree to get out of her unhealthy environment. "It scratched my scar..." I paused, not going any further. I don't want to think about it. I knew who did it...and the person had help. "It scratched my scar open, is all. It bled a lot but it wasn't bad where it needs to be sewn shut."
"I can look at it..." she went to offer when I shook my head.
"No...it's fine. My hair hides it. Hannah asked about it and I told her I didn't want to talk about it." I got off my bed, fixing my hair. "Well, I better help out Shivers."
"He's back at his place, waiting for you," Aunt Sarah said from behind me, as I went down the stairs. "He told me he'll be at his front porch."
"Mm," was all I got out. Shoes on, I stepped outside.
I'm not looking forward to this...
