My Dawn

Chapter 15

Tate was coming by for a check up on the living arrangements but he arrived halfway through her having fun. The equipment for Dawn contained bars of different levels, beams, a flat ground for floor routines, and there were metal rings on rope that Dawn was able to swing from like they were monkey bars. Mark sat back and watched with the girls as the boys walked over.

“What does she do?” Mary asked.

“She’s really talented. Just watch.” Mark said.

The boys watched curiously. Dawn ran up to the first bar, she was aimed facing away from everyone. She grabbed the bars and swung around for momentum. Dawn spun to the next bar and the next until she was on the highest. They all looked as she started to turn and spin on the bar. Dawn let go and flipped before grabbing the bar again. She was loving this. They could hear her giggling as she swung around. Before long at a moment of pause in the music, Dawn did the splits with her feet in the air. She rotated while doing the splits and then spun down as the lyrics started again. They watched in amazement each time.

“She is really having fun.” Jessie said.

“Tate was right, she is happy when she does this.” Mark said.

“Shh, I’m watching.” Laura said.

Mark laughed. Dawn was gaining her momentum.

“This part always makes me nervous.” Mark said.

The boys watched. Dawn threw herself in the air as she aimed for a ring. Dawn grabbed the ring and spun herself in circles she lifted her foot into one and giggled.

“She’s never done that before.” Patrick said.

“What is she doing?” Jessie asked.

The hawk flew over.

“Oh my god, it’s a trick they learned together.” Mark said.

The hawk sat on Dawn as she spun in circles by one foot. The hawk was spreading its wings and screeching as if it was cheering. Dawn giggled as she kept spinning. When the spinning finally stopped. They saw Dawn sit up with her foot in the ring. She extended her other foot out and placed it in the opposite ring. They watched with curiosity. She was doing the splits as the hawk flew off and sat above the rings.

“What is she up to?” Mark asked.

Dawn lifted her hands up entwined them to hold her own hand. She threw herself backwards and spun in the rings by her ankles. Until she was upright again. The hawk cheered her on. That is until she noticed a cat coming close.

“Hawkeye, predator.” Dawn said.

Hawkeye looked and saw the cat, it flew towards it. Dawn got off the rings and ran towards it. The hawk landed on the cat’s back holding its talons around the cat’s neck and digging in. Mark got up and started running there. Hawkeye bit down causing a loud screeching meow from the cat before Dawn could stop him. Hawkeye snapped the head off and started to eat it. Dawn gasped as she approached and dropped to her knees.

“Hawkie! You didn’t have to kill it!” Dawn cried.

Mark approached as Hawkeye was eating its head still. Dawn looked at him in tears.

“I’m sure he did it to protect you. He probably thought the cat was targeting you.” Mark said.

He wrapped his arms around Dawn as Hawkeye ate the cat in front of them. Mark looked at Patrick.

“Get a rubbish bag!” Mark shouted.

“Damn, well the neighbour’s cat is dead.” Jessie said.

Patrick got up and grabbed the bag. He ran to his dad and saw the blood on Hawkeye as he was eating the cat still.

“Dawn, are you okay?” Patrick asked.

“Yes.” Dawn said softly.

“Hawkeye, I need to bag the cat.” Mark said.

The hawk ignored him.

“Hawkeye, stop. We need to remove it.” Dawn said.

Hawkeye looked and realised she was crying. He walked off the cat and towards Dawn.

“Can I go for a skate? To clear my head after I get him cleaned?” Dawn asked.

“Yes, Patrick help Dawn lock her room up.” Mark said.

“Yes dad.” Patrick said.

Patrick helped Dawn up as the hawk was walking up her arm and staring at Patrick. Patrick kept his arm around her waist in support because he noticed she wasn’t feeling too comfortable.

“What’s wrong?” Jessie asked.

“Stop the music. I’ll be down soon.” Patrick said.

Jessie walked to Dawn’s phone and unplugged it. He walked inside and went to the bathroom. Dawn was rinsing Hawkeye clean then she grabbed clothes from her room.

“Are you okay?” Jessie asked.

“I’m just going to clean up then clear my head.” Dawn said.

Jessie noticed the cat blood on her arm.

“Want company on your walk or run?” Jessie asked.

“I am going to the park.” Dawn said.

“We can come along with a basketball to give you space but still be near if someone tries to hurt you.” Jessie said.

Dawn nodded. She walked into the bathroom to shower. Jessie walked outside.

“She’s just cleaned the blood off the hawk and rinsing it off her arm. When she’s out of the shower she’s going to the park. Who wants to come along? I thought us guys could play basketball while she did her thing.” Jessie said.

“Her thing?” Mike asked.

“You will see.” Jessie said.

They nodded and got some drinks together. Dawn came out in black tight jeans and a tight black singlet. She had a small black denim jacket that had no sleeves on. Her hair was put into a long ponytail braid as she walked to the garage and grabbed her board.