Broken

I groaned as I tossed in bed and winced in pain. The wound still fresh in my side. I inspected my injured side and saw the blood seeping through the white cloth I used to wrap my side. I stumbled out of bed, dizzy, as I also hit my head the previous night. The old floorboards creaked and cried as I made my way to the bathroom across the hall. There was no door on its hinges anymore, fell off months ago. I turned the faucet carefully as I know how easily it can break. I know, I had to fix it last month. I look in the mirror then splashed some water on my face. "Daddy no!!" I yelled trying to defend my mommy. I was ten, I didn't stand a chance. My mom lay on the ground, sobbing violently and bleeding. I stretched out my tiny arms in an attempt to stop him. He quickly slapped me aside, nothing stopped him in this state. Drunk, maybe high. He wasn't the best dad in the world sober either. But at least he didn't hurt mom, or me. I fell to the floor a few meters away and started crying as I watched everything unfold before my eyes. He started hitting her. Calling her names with each blow. He was using the hand his ring was on, each hit left her more and more bloodied and bruised. Each scream she made got weaker and weaker. Until she stopped screaming. He was holding onto her hair the entire time and when she stopped screaming he let go. Her body making a heavy this on the ground. He started making his way towards me. "You look just like that bitch." He spat. He picked me up by my hair. "I always hated brunettes." I was still crying, I averted my eyes from looking at him. I knew I was next. I dried my face with a nearby towel and looked in the mirror, I had cut my hair when I became thirteen. Never wanting someone to control me like that ever again. I focused attention to my fresh wound. I winced as I started unwinding the cloth from around my waist. A nearly three inch round. That wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to make it in clean then make it out. We--Miguel, Peart and myself--we're supposed to be making our usual runs. Make it into the store and take all we could, money, food and just get out. Last night never went as planned and I ended up getting stabbed by one of the owners who decided to stay late taking stock. At least he didn't have a gun. Miguel and Peart ran out with all the stuff and I managed to escape with a hundred and fifty dollars as I was in charge of securing the money. All in all the night was uneventful. I didn't see Peart nor Miguel once I got out. Of course, they ran off, they always run away when things get difficult. I'm used to it. Taking off my clothes I stepped into the shower and took a quick shower, making sure water washed the wound. I watched as the old blood washed down the rusty drain. I stopped at the bathroom and walked out going for a white shirt to use as a makeshift bandage, another to wear and also a pair of jeans and boxers and headed back to the bathroom. I tore one of my white shirts and placed it one side as I went into the medicine cabinet and took out the last of the peroxide. I groaned in pain as the harsh chemical made contact with my flesh. I quickly wrapped the cloth around my waist and secured it tightly. I got dressed and went back into my room pulled out one of the drawers in a bedside table and pulled out the money I stole, folded it up and lay down on my bed. The police dragged out my father aggressively while telling him his rights. I was on the outside sitting in an ambulance getting my bruises dressed by one of the paramedics. He got a few hits in before police busted through the door. The people in the next apartment must've finally got tired of it. I then saw another set of paramedics wheeling out a body, it was covered but I know it was my mom, he finally killed her. I ran over crying trying to get to her. The policemen held me back. "I'm sorry, you can't go over there." He said. They wheeled her into the back of the ambulance and that's the last I saw of her. A well-dressed lady approached me and knelt down in front of me, smiling warmly at me then said. "Hi, my name is Miss Dossier." I was rubbing my eyes while still crying when I looked at her. "W-who are you?" I said, hearing my voice break. I was trembling. I got out of bed after a while and took a few breaths to rid myself of the guilt I felt. I felt somewhat guilty about this particular heist. I'm not sure why. I guess because the owner was there, and I saw such fear in his eyes... But, I needed this. I had nothing else, no one else. I sighed and left the room opting to go to the same store I stole the money from. I wear a mask for each heist so he definitely wouldn't recognize me. I took off walking the fifteen minutes back to the store. I live in a pretty secluded place. A few other houses are strewn here and there. It was just an abandoned lot that I discovered two years ago and I've called it my home since then. On my way, I saw the playground I pass every day. The laughter of innocent children filling my ears as I walked by watching them. Playing in the sandbox, on the slide and monkey bars, a few of them I noticed chasing each other in fits of giggles. I heard yelling and laughter as I walked into this really big house. Miss Dossier was some agent from child protective services. She asked me a bunch of questions like how old I was, my name and if I had any immediate family members. My mom had one sister but she died before I was born. I saw pictures of her and mom in the house. And dad... Well, his backstory was too sketchy. He never told mom anything. She then took me inside my house and told me to pack all my things, I thought I was in trouble but she says everything was OK. And this is how we ended up in the big house with a lot of other kids. We approached this African American lady around a desk and they soon started talking. I didn't pay much attention to what they were saying, because I had my back turned watching the other kids play, and wanting to be a part of it. After a while, miss Dossier and the other lady approached me. And the other lady took my hands looking down at me smiling and said. "Hi Amelia, this is going to be your new home." I continued the walk to the store with my thumbs digging into my front pockets. The cold autumn wind brushing my face as I kept my pace. After a few more minutes I walked into the store, a bell at the door signaling my entrance. I felt like everyone was watching me at that moment. I shrugged the thought off and decided to begin shopping. Taking on a basket off the counter, I picked up some necessities; tissue, ramen, some junk food and of course, a six-pack of beer and a bottle of their cheapest vodka. I brought them up to be checked off and waited impatiently as the cashier fumbled with my goods. "That'll be one seventy-five fifty. " He stated. My eyes widened as I fished for the money I had and slammed it on the counter. "This is all I got." "Sorry but that won't be enough." He looked at the money then looked back at me. I felt my impatience and anger building. "Yeah well no s**t Einstein!" And said raising my voice an octave or two. OK maybe more. I calmed down a bit and nonchalantly leaned on the counter eyeing him. He looked intimidated, just how I like it. I smirked. "Look freckle face I'm just asking you to hook me up." "I-I'm sorry but--" He was cut off by a foreign voice behind me. If I'm not mistaken it sounded French. "I could cover it." I turned around and saw a blonde girl. Probably around my age, maybe a little younger. I'm 24, she looks about 21 or so, but I'm not sure. Her blue eyes shined as she smiled earnestly holding crisp money in her hand. I scoffed, no way I'm having this princess pay for me. "No thanks french toast, I got this." I turned around giving the young cashier my full attention once again. "Now listen here--" I was cut off, by French toast once more. "It's really is not a problem." She tried. "Did I ask for your help Frenchie?" I was getting pretty annoyed now. She tilted her head slightly as if she was confused. "I don't appreciate you being so rude when all I'm trying to do is help." "Hey move it along!" Some crusty voiced man hollered impatiently. Then the other people on the line started murmuring in agreement. Drawing my gaze from the crowd of people back to her my shoulders sank in defeat as I noticed she was still in the adorable head tilted position. Her blue eyes seemingly boring into my soul. "Well?" She asked coyly. "Fine..." I muttered. "Fantastiqué!" She shook her shoulder and went in front of me and paid the cashier. All the while I was staring daggers into her. I collected my things and left her to pay for her things. I was a few feet up the road when I heard quick footsteps behind me. "Hey! Wait a minute!" French toast was trailing behind me. "You would think after paying for someone they would at least wait up for you." She said slightly out of breath as she caught up with me. I stopped us both on the sidewalk catching her off guard as the stumbled back a bit but catching herself. "You! I don't know who you are or what you want but I had everything under control back there." I said harshly, pointing at her chest. Why is she here? And what the hell did she want? She looked at me astonished, then squared her shoulders. "Excusé moi? If I recall correctly you were about to get into trouble and I was just being nice--" I didn't let her finish, "I don't need any help from you or anyone else." "A simple thank you is all I want." She said. I narrowed my eyes at her scrutinizing. "Are you sure that's all you want?" "OK, maybe... I need a little help." She confessed looking anywhere but my face. When she finally looked at me I saw the desperation in her deep blue eyes. "I... Recently moved here and decided to explore but now I do not know head or tails of where I am. I asked around for directions on how to get back to my apartment but I'm no good at directions," She laughed. "I saw this store and decided to pick up a few things, and maybe get some help..." She chuckled nervously. I laughed at her. Just another lost tourist. I have no time for this. "Look, what you did back there was nice and all but--" "Please..." She broke in pleading one last time, her eyes boring into my soul. I dropped my shoulders in defeat once more. Why does she keep winning? "Where do you live? I asked exasperatingly. " I live 21st street, Beacon Drive." She knew her address but didn't know how to get there. What did she want me to do? Follow her all the way back? That's asking way too much of a stranger. "Look I'll just bring you to where the taxis are OK. Just tell 'em your address. It's about five minutes away from here." I said pointing up the road. She smiled brightly, "That could work. Let's go then." We began the walk in a heavy silence. Then suddenly she spoke up. "So what's your name?" She asked. I probably wouldn't see her again and I saw no reason why she needed my name but I told her anyways. "Amelia." "Oh." She said simply. After a beat or two, she spoke again. "So are you from around these parts?" I groaned. "No, I'm from Iceland." I'm sure she could've heard my eye roll in that moment. But I was taken aback when I heard her seriously say, "Oh! So you're a tourist too?" She said excitedly. I nearly keeled over laughing, she doesn't pick up sarcasm. An adorable little quirk really. "I'm... Not really from Iceland, you're not good on sarcasm are you?" I squinted at her tilting my head. "Not really, but to be fair English isn't my first language. I have gotten substantially better over the years." "Oh, right. So when did you move here French toast? I used my free hand gesturing to my surroundings. "About a week now." She replied. "Oh... Well, here we are." I said as we neared the curb in front of a well-known store. She gave me a little nod and I raised my hand signaling a taxi I saw coming to stop directly in front of us. She opted for the vehicle. I soon realized I never got her name but mentally kicking myself for wanting to know so badly. "Hey, I never even got your name." I smiled and felt goofy. "Destine, it's Destine." Her accent seemed mesmerizing. It won't work on me though. "Hm, French toast has a better ring to it." "See you around Amelia." She giggled and got in the cab. When will we ever meet again? I thought continuing my journey down the stretch of road until I arrived at my house. I placed the bag on the floor next to the door as I got inside and immediately went into the small kitchen for the only glass I had. I poured the vodka into the stained glass and said: "To my sorrows." I held up the glass for a second then downed the bitter liquid. It burned my throat going down then dropped hot in my stomach. "Ugh," I said in disgust. It was, after all, cheap liquor. But it gave me a good enough feeling. I poured another glass. Miss Dossier left me with the African American lady whose name I soon found out was Miss Vermont. She took my hand and led me to a room with several beds lined side by side at each side of the room. The children in there were playing, running around or jumping on the beds. "Guys! Children! Settle down." She quieted them down and spoke again. "This is Amelia. She'll be staying with us. I want all of you to be kind to her." Everyone just stared at me. Miss Vermont gently pushed me and said. "Go on, go play." I took a few steps forward then heard the door behind me close. I gasped and turned around quickly to see that Miss Vermont was gone. I felt awkward with everyone staring at me. They continued staring for another minute then resumed playing. I took a shaky breath gathering as much courage as I could before walking over. "Could I play with you guys?" I waited for an answer. Nothing. "Hey, watchya guys playing?" "Go away!" I wasn't sure which one of them said it but I jumped back and quickly scurried over to a bed. I sat on the edge of my bed, holding my head down, holding back tears. I then noticed small feet on the bed next to me then looked up and saw a little blond girl. "Hi," I said shyly. She didn't speak, she only smiled at me. I took that as an invitation and went to sit beside her. "Do you wanna play with me?" I asked trying to hide the desperation in my voice. She still didn't say anything she just gave me another warm smile. I took that as a yes and asked her what she wanted to play. Jokes on me as I should know that she doesn't speak. I took her hand and led her to the corner of the room where I noticed some toys. We eventually got to play in silence--mostly on her part, but I didn't mind. I was just glad I had a friend. I was on my fourth shot when I noticed the bottle was half empty and I was beginning to feel a buzz. I welcomed the feeling as I downed a fifth shot and decided to call it a day. We started playing with some blocks with letters on them, building big castles to battle. Well at least I was, the little blonde girl, on the other hand, was spelling something... D A R C I E