Dark Beauty

I skipped inside the house with a chain of daisies around my neck. Giggling, I headed into the kitchen to try and find my mom. The sweet scent of freshly-baked muffins drifted through the air and I licked my lips. I searched around the kitchen, but it was completely empty. I made my way into the living room to see my mom and Davis snuggled together on a couch. He was holding her hand against his chest and smiling warmly down at her. My mom gazed into his eyes and beamed back. They looked so happy together. Clearing my throat, I lifted the daisy chain from around my neck and set it on the table. Davis looked up and his smile faltered a tiny bit. He had never liked me and always placed me after my mom. Always. My mom raised her head and her eyes widened slightly. She had always been secretive about her relationship with Davis, but I knew from the start. "Rosemary, baby, I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier, but I was afraid-" "Don't worry," I interrupted my mom. "Look what I found!" I held up a shiny golden necklace and it sparkled in the light. The pendant was a shiny golden ball that matched the chain with swirls and many intricate designs. My mom gasped in astonishment and Davis gaped, wide-eyed. I smiled to myself. "Where did you find such a beautiful piece of jewelry?" Davis asked, lifting up a finger to try and touch it, but I pulled it away from him. "I found it outside," I replied, dropping the necklace into my coat pocket. My mom opened her mouth, but then shut it again. Her auburn hair glowed under the dim lighting and she leaned into Davis, but he merely pushed her off. A flash of hurt and confusion shone upon her face, but she quickly masked it over with a frown. "Let me see it," Davis demanded, his hand outstretched. I shook my head and backed away a few steps. Davis stood up. "Give it to me now!" he growled menacingly. I gulped and shook my head again. Davis was about to walk to me when my mom grabbed his wrist and pulled. He didn't budge. Instead, he yanked his arm away from my mom's grasp and glared at me. He took a step forwards. I backed away until my back hit the wall. "Davis, no!" my mom cried, lunging at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to hold him down. Davis pulled at her arms and she went flying over his head, landing on the ground, groaning. I screamed and fled for the door, tears streaming down my face. I grabbed the handle and fumbled with it, trying to get the door to open. Searching around, I took the keys from the kitchen counter and shoved one of them into the keyhole. Footsteps echoed through the hallway and I turned the key. I heard a click and pushed the door open, running out into the night. I turned my head and watched as the house burst up in flames. I collapsed to my knees and fresh tears rolled down my cheeks, soaking my face. A shadow emerged through the fire and limped towards me. I scrambled to my feet and hurried through the dense patches of weeds and grass. Something scratched against the side of my face and I shrieked. Warm liquid ran down my face, but I kept going. I didn't stop running until I reached a clearing in the woods. I fell to the ground and I wrapped my arms around my frame, cradling myself. I sobbed into my clothes and sniffled, wiping the blood from my face. Closing my eyes, I let myself cry until all my tears were dry. Then, darkness surrounded me.