My Dawn

Chapter 28

Dawn was walking down the street as she cried. She had walked for an hour already. And even Dawn had to admit, she wasn’t watching where she was walking. She just kept walking until she reached a large field with a large pond. Dawn walked into the area and sat down on a park bench. She watched the ducks for a long while. Taking her heels off from her aching feet.

The ducks swimming, flying, some of the babies following the mama and papa ducks. Dawn sighed. She felt conflicted. It’s times like this she wished for motherly advise and motherly wisdom. She saw them in movies. But she hasn’t had it in 8 years now. Her birthday is one she never celebrated. Because it was their anniversary.

The day Dawn found them, she turned 7. Every year she replayed it in her mind. She slowly acted happy. But she couldn’t keep up the act. Which is why Dawn has always wanted more time in bed. More time to grieve before she was literally dragged out of bed. Dawn was broken up about this. She sat there watching the ducks for hours.

Her phone was on do not disturb mode. She didn’t receive any of the texts or calls. She forgot to set it back to normal. Dawn sat there as the sun went down slowly. Dawn looked at it and relaxed.

Dawn pulled her phone out and realised she had it on do not disturb.

Dawn changed it to normal again and received notification after notification. Multiple texts of worry from Jessie, Mark, Tate and Patrick were coming in. Dawn opened the texts with Mark.

“It says my texts are read now.” Mark said.

They had gone home in case she went there. Everyone looked at him.

“She’s typing.” Mark said.

[Sorry Mark, I left it on do not disturb. I just went to check the time and realised.] – Dawn texted.

Mark laughed.

“She forgot to take it off do not disturb mode.” Mark said.

“Is she okay? Where is she?” Jessie asked.

“Relax.” Mark said.

[Are you okay? Where did you end up going?] – Mark texted.

[We have been worried about you.] – Mark texted.

[I didn’t mean to cause anyone to worry. I just needed to clear my head. I got distracted because I was crying and I didn’t pay attention to where I was going. Now I don’t know where I am.] – Dawn texted.

“She got distracted and got lost.” Mark said.

“Ask her what street she is on, and I will go get her.” Jessie said.

“Relax Jessie.” Mark said.

[What street are you on?] – Mark texted.

[I’m not on a street.] – Dawn texted.

“Well, Jessie, your idea was s**t. She’s not on a street.” Mark said.

Mark dialled her number. Dawn hesitated it but answered. Mark walked away, but everyone heard him still.

“Mark.” Dawn said softly.

“I’m heading out to you, tell me what you see.” Mark said.

A duck quacked in the background.

“What the f**k was that?” Mark asked.

“A duck.” Dawn said.

She had a slight chuckle.

“You and animals, seriously.” Mark laughed.

“I see a lot of ducks and a pond. A lot of trees and fields. And a maze.” Dawn said.

“Hang on.” Mark said.

Mark was at his door, he looked back at everyone.

“Where abouts in town, has a pond, trees, fields and a maze?” Mark asked.

“She’s out of town. She’s near Mr Purkles.” Patrick said.

“Who the f**k is that?” Mark asked.

“We used to trespass there. Tell her to hide. If she gets caught, he will hurt her. I’ll go with you.” Patrick said.

Mark nodded.

“Dawn did you hear that?” Mark asked.

There was silence.

“Dawn?” Mark asked.

A wheezing sound came from her end. He put it on loud speaker. Everyone could hear the wheezing sound.

“What do you think you are doing here girl?” A deep voice asked aggressively.

Dawn was wheezing for air as he dropped her. He picked up her phone.

“She’s no longer able to speak.” Mr Purkles said.

He hung up her phone. Dawn was wheezing as she looked at him.

“Please, I got lost and I saw the pond and the chair. I thought it was a park so I sat down.” Dawn cried.

He lifted her up roughly. Dawn gasped.

“How old are you?” Mr Purkles asked.

“15. I just turned 15.” Dawn cried.

“When?” Mr Purkles asked.

“Today. I was admiring the ducks and the sunset. I was feeling sad and lost track of where I was walking. I swear I didn’t mean to trespass.” Dawn cried.

Mr Purkles dragged Dawn roughly through the trees to his place and threw her onto his couch. Dawn cried as she watched Mr Purkles putting his gun away and then locking his door and throwing more logs into the fire. He handed Dawn a blanket and sat opposite her on a single arm chair.

“What made you sad?” Mr Purkles asked.

“It’s my birthday, I’m always sad on my birthday.” Dawn said quietly.

“Why?” Mr Purkles asked.

“The night before I turned 7, I heard my parents screaming. I hid in a toy box. But when morning came, I had gotten out of my room and found them dead. I ran to a neighbour for help but went back to try to wake them. I didn’t understand they were dead. They took me to a hospital and held me there for over a week with mental health assessments. Then I went from home to home being abused until Mr Bridge took me in. But I still am miserable on my birthday. I didn’t mean to trespass. But I really was lost.” Dawn cried.

“I’m sorry I choked you. I thought you were trying to lure my ducks to you, so that you could kill them. Couple of kids and young adults do that.” Mr Purkles said.

“I really didn’t mean to trespass sir.” Dawn said.

“Call me Henry.” Mr Purkles said.

“Yes sir, I mean Henry.” Dawn said.

“Who are you?” Mr Purkles asked.

“Dawn.” Dawn said.

“Dawn who?” Mr Purkles asked.

“Dawn Rivers.” Dawn said.

“The daughter of Miriam and Brutus Rivers?” Mr Purkles asked.

“How, how did you know?” Dawn asked.