Chapter 5
2230 Words
Chapter 5
I turned around to head back towards home when I slammed straight into something solid. I stumbled back and looked up, surprised to see Jace standing there.
Alec was nowhere in sight which was strange, they were always together. “Who’s following who now?” Jace said with a laugh.
A furious blush spread across my face. “I was not following you.” I shot back. “Oh yea, then why are you on the wrong side of the river?” Jace huffed, with one eyebrow raised and a grin. “I was, well… Because I was.” I shot back.
I knew he would probably know if I lied again, and for some reason I felt uncomfortable lying to him. It was easy to lie to anyone else, but with the twins I felt like they could see right through me.
I suddenly got the urge to reach out and touch Jace’s arm. I didn’t do it, but I really wanted to. I wondered what it would feel like, rubbing my hand across his rippling muscles.
“I’ll see you around, Tryss.” Jace said, and he sprinted off.
He was dressed like he was working out, or going for a run, at least. I turned around and headed back towards the river. I noticed a few people out and about in the town and everyone here seemed so fit.
There wasn't an obese person here, not even the older people. I thought it was strange that everyone in the whole town, at least everyone I saw, looked like they worked out everyday. Maybe they had my metabolism, because I also looked like I worked out every day… But I never had a day in my life.
I felt a hint of sadness when I got to the edge of the town and headed towards the river bridge along the trail. I wonder why I would feel that way? I had never even been there before, and I would be back on monday. No big deal.
But something was pulling me to that town. Something I couldn’t see, but I could feel. Like I belonged there or something.
I crossed the river bridge back into my own town and I knew I was crazy then. Gorgeous twins who can heal me? A town that seems magical? An invisible pull towards it, and talking to myself.
I had lost it. Completely bonkers, this one. I wasn’t about to say a word to anyone about any of it though. I could be crazy in my mind, alone. That was just fine.
‘You aren’t alone, Trystan.’ The strange voice purred in my mind. I felt like I wanted to push the voice away, but I was also comforted by it.
Crazy or not, I guess it was better than talking to no one, even if I was just talking to myself. “Sure, me and you! Can’t get any crazier than this.” I said out loud, with a fake smile.
‘Oh, you just wait!’ The voice hollered. I wasn’t sure whether to be excited or worried. I chose both. I decided to head to the store.
I had some money in a special account that I never told my foster parents about. It was given to me as an anonymous gift.
There was a very large amount of money in there, which I mostly saved. I had only used it when it was a necessity. I decided I needed some new school clothes if I was going to change schools. This was a necessity.
I headed to the store and grabbed a few new pairs of pants, shorts, shirts and crop tops. I grabbed a few pairs of socks and underwear.
Then I saw a really pretty bracelet with some sort of colorful gems that sparkled in the sunlight. I wanted it so badly, but I refrained from buying it. Only the necessities. I told myself.
The voice in my head was with me the whole time complementing each item of clothing as I tried them on. I was starting to kind of get used to the voice, even if it meant I was completely insane. It was nice to actually have someone to talk to, even if it was just myself.
I had spent more time than I expected shopping. When I came out it was getting close to sunset. Just a few more hours and I could go home. I shoved my purchases in my backpack, which was a feat in and of itself, before heading back to the river.
It might seem crazy to most people, but I spent most of my time there anyway. I enjoyed listening to the rush of the water, and the chirping of the birds. The sounds of nature were soothing. And the forest itself, of course, just calmed me.
I was a bucket of nerves about my new school and the concept of having to face Andy and Erica. I couldn't run forever… Or could I? I mean technically I had the money to go. I could find a hotel or something and then maybe get a job? Start over somewhere new.
I was a little excited about the thought of something new but then I thought about Alec and Jace. I couldn’t just leave them. Wait, why couldn’t I?
I was nothing to them. They were just two boys who followed me around for whatever reason they decided was good at the time.
I could definitely leave them if I needed to. A sharp pain rang through my chest at the thought. ‘Don’t leave Trystan, please stay.’ The voice in my mind rang out.
“What is here for me? Honestly though, what could possibly be worth staying for?” I asked the voice. ‘There is much you don’t know, please just give it a shot!’ The voice begged me.
I was tired of the cryptic damn answers. Much you don't know, just trust us, we can explain everything later. Blah blah blah.
I pushed the voice from my mind, I was not dealing with anymore mental bullshit right now. I was already going insane talking to myself, I didn’t need a guilt trip on top of it all.
After the sun had set I decided to head home. I got up and started walking towards my house. I went straight to my back window which to my, not really surprise, Andy had fixed the window lock, and re-locked it. I groaned when I realized I had to go through the front door.
I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. I looked around to see no twins suspiciously following me to break it again. "Damnit." I said out loud.
I knew exactly how this was going to go. I was racking my brain trying to think of any excuse I could to get myself out of trouble, but there was none.
I was expelled and I had snuck in last night. I was f*****g f****d, and I knew it. I cautiously opened my front door and stepped inside, shutting it softly.
I was hoping that maybe Andy had passed out and I could get past Erica without her noticing me… But boy was I wrong. The second the door moved Andy was up out of his chair and in my face.
"You got expelled from school again?! Can't you do anything right?? Why can't you just f*****g stay out of trouble? It's not that goddamn hard." He screamed. I didn't flinch, but I already had enough of his bullshit.
"Well if you wouldn't continually beat the f**k out me, maybe I wouldn't continually get teased and have to defend myself at school so often!" I snarled.
The hate was evident in my voice. I saw Erica peek her head in from the kitchen but then she ignored us and carried on with whatever she was doing.
"Oh so now it's my fault you can't keep your hands to yourself?? It's your snotty f*****g mouth that gets you in trouble! It's time you learned some f*****g respect!!" Andy was yelling so loud I knew I had struck a nerve.
I barely was able to step back before his fist fully connected with my face. Instead he got my lower jaw and split my lip open. I could instantly feel the blood filling my mouth. He wasn't as drunk as he normally was and that made him even scarier.
He had most of his bearings about him, meaning I wouldn't be getting away easily this time. I spit my mouthful of blood right in his face "f**k you!" I snarled, knowing I had just earned myself a near death sentence.
I could see the rage in Andy's face. He instantly grabbed my wrist and yanked me towards him. He wiped the blood from his face. "You never f*****g learn, do you?" He spat, and rage filled every word.
"Doesn't f*****g look like it, does it? Get your filthy f*****g hands off me!" I growled, and yanked my arm but he had a death grip on it, like usual.
I kept yanking it trying to free my arm from his grasp while ignoring the pain I was causing myself. He then let go and shoved me as hard as he possibly could, sending me flying into the coffee table.
The impact knocked the wind out of me and I swear I heard ribs cracking. There was too much adrenaline for me to notice any pain though.
I got back up, determined to stand my ground even through the pain. This was a mistake. I could barely breathe and still, I looked Andy dead in the face.
“You just gonna keep going until you kill me then?” I spat, and at this point I wouldn’t really care if he did. ‘Stop pushing!’ That strange voice in my head suddenly said, but it was too late. He took one large step towards me and slammed me back down onto the table, breaking the rest of it beneath me.
That time I felt the bones crack, but still I got back to my feet. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me beat.
I didn’t say anything, I just spit the blood that was pooling in my mouth out onto the floor.
Andy looked baffled as to why I was still getting back up, but he then grabbed me by the shoulders. I thought he was going to yell at me again, but instead he slammed me back first, into the wall behind us, causing me to spit up more blood.
I was already feeling woozy from the amount I had lost already so I couldn’t argue back now, even if I wanted to.
“If you don’t get your f*****g s**t together, then maybe I will.” He snarled, finally answering my previous taunt. Then he threw me back to the ground on top of the broken coffee table, face first.
I halfway attempted to catch myself, but I was in too much pain to really be successful.
Feeling the blood start to run down my face from a fresh wound, I knew better than to get back up after this. If I did then I was just begging to keep the fight going. I didn’t want to, but I swallowed my pride and just stayed down this time.
"It's about time you learned some f*****g obedience." Andy shot at me, and then he headed to the kitchen where Erica surely had him another rum and tonic mixed and ready to go.
As soon as his back was to me I attempted to get myself up. It took a few tries but I was successful. I turned and adjusted the coffee table in its broken state, back to its original positioning. I didn't want to be blamed for that later.
Then I hobbled myself upstairs. My mouth was still bleeding. My head was bleeding from the cut along the side by my eye. My ribs were aching, and my wrist was throbbing. I really did a number on it trying to rip it from his grasp.
I threw my backpack in my room and hobbled across the hall to the shower. I had to get cleaned up. I let the hot water pour over me hoping it would help soothe my pain.
I was still spitting blood and the adrenaline must have been wearing off because when I took a breath in trying to compose myself it felt like my rib cage had caved in.
“Fuck.” I said out loud, I knew I heard them crack. It wasn't the first time I had broken ribs… They would heal, eventually.
I grabbed some tylenol and ibuprofen after my shower and climbed into bed with wet hair. I didn't even have the energy to dry it. I was exhausted, and the pain seemed to be getting worse.
But I only had one more day until I was back in school and out of this house for most of the day. I could manage, I always did.
My thoughts were mainly focused on my new school… Obsidian, as I drifted off to sleep.
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