It Will Come Back

"So I'm just supposed to be at your beckon call all the time Yas!" I complained down the phone, stopping in between words trying to catch my breath as I walked down the dark street. "Yes! I mean no, but this is critical, okay? I've cooked you and Ravi an amazing dinner, for after you have my headshots taken!" My step sister says, trying to get on my good side (jokes on her, I don't have one) as she rambles on about how much of a terrific step sister I am whilst I roll my eyes. "Fine, I'm hurrying. Maybe if you waited for me and gave me a lift home once in a while I'd feel obligated to be there to take your headshots!" I said, feeling irritation, course through my body as I continued my walk home. Her voice is impatient as she mutters, "What's the fun in that? I have work in fifteen minutes. Anyway, cardio’s good for the heart!". "I can only go as fast as my legs take me and it's dark so that slows me down and Ravi is staying with James so that dinner you made us so kindly is more like a dinner for one, meaning I'm going to be eating alone yet again!" I say as she groans. Yasmin and Ravi are both my step-siblings. Ravi is currently in a relationship with James. I live with my adoptive family. My mother died two years ago. It was a month after I turned sixteen, she was shopping in the local R. Mart for our family dinner party with our neighbours that we'd have every Thursday. In any case, getting straight to the point, she was down on the egg Isle wondering whether she should make lemon meringues when she had a heart attack. They rushed her to hospital but she died as soon as she got there. I knew she would because she never liked hospitals. If they rushed her home she probably would've been fine.(that's what I like to tell myself) "I'm sorry it's so tiring for you to wait to get free headshots taken!" I said bitterly as I heard my sister groan. "Ugh we can do it tomorrow, okay cut the Crap Lux!" My step sister says down the phone as I mentally shove my hand in the air in glory, because although photography is supposed to be my passion, Jasmine is the most annoying client I've ever had to deal with. I told the client like she is someone who pays me, oh no, no no, I am doing it all for free! "Oh I mean only if you're sure!" I said down the phone, trying to sound as sympathetic as possible although I'm literally pinging with joy. "Well, unless you can be back in fifteen minutes!" She says, sounding extremely hopeful as I roll my eyes. "Okay yeah sure I ugh, I um I will try!" I said, stuttering, trying to lie. Ever since I was a child I've always struggled with lying. The first time was when I had to lie to my mother. I told her that my brother wasn't hitting me or mentally abusing me. That was a lie. I find it hard to hide my feelings because they are written on my face; when I failed to do that and told her, it became more difficult to lie. I'd stutter and my cheeks would turn red. I've always had trouble hiding my emotions because they're so visible. "See you in the morning, Lux!" Yas says impatiently down the phone as I roll my dark green eyes. "Yeah yeah see you!" I said, sounding totally peed off. Which is an understatement when it comes to how I really feel. I shrug off the feeling and continue my stroll home, shoving in my earbuds, blocking out the sound from the oncoming traffic to the left of me. I cut through the park past the shop, walking at a faster pace. I always get anxious when I pass through the park late at night because we don't live in the most prestigious of neighborhoods, to say the least. But it's what Joe could afford. Joe is my stepfather-turned-adoptive father. He's been my dad since he and my mother got married when I was twelve. I'm nineteen now. My father abandoned my mother when he found out my mother was pregnant with me. He only ever wanted one child, a son, and when mum had my brother, he was over the moon. Then, seven years later, mum got pregnant with me. Things weren't working out in their relationship at the time. That's what mum used to tell me. However, I was so sure it was just to stop me getting upset. The truth of the matter was my father just didn't want me. My brother told me the reason he didn't want me was because I was adopted by my mother when I was dropped off at the front door. However, I know he lied, I know who my mother is. Anyway, Joe kept my family together after Mum died. I thought he'd kick me out, but he didn't. We kind of have a mutual understanding. I don't get in his way or bother him. He doesn't bother me. That's how it's always been. I keep shifting from street to street. I made it to the dark alleyway. That is the home stretch. Just across from the dark alleyway is my street and then I'm home. I feel my breath hitch when I hear grunting and shouting, then suddenly a gun shot. I dropped to the floor feeling afraid. Memories hit me and I shut my eyes: "Lux you're a demon, a crazy weird f*****g demon!" Kiron, my brother shouted as I, shook my head. "Shut up!" I hissed out loudly, trying to stand my ground. "No look at you, you filthy b***h no wonder mum died because she couldn't stand the stress you bring!" He says snidely as I shake my head. "Shut up!" I said, this time, sounding a little louder. He grips onto his ears like I've wounded him as I glare at him, becoming angered. "You are crazy, look at you, you're destined to end up alone just like we found you!" He says as my eyes widen and my pupils dilate. "Shut up!" I said, getting louder as my blood ran hot with anger. I found myself. Nobody found me, did they? "Did Mum ever tell you about her adopting you? We found you on the doorstep like the unwanted brat you are, no wonder dad left!" He. hissed out, more malice spilling from his lips. "Shut up!" I screamed so loudly it rattled the house. The light bulb smashes loudly above my head as glass shatters and splinters shatter onto my head. "Your, your, your eyes!" Kiron screams, his voice shaking as he steps back. I can't speak, it's like I'm paralysed. I stood there waiting for his next insult, but it didn't come. He grabs the family handgun from the cupboard and stands in front of me. "You're a demon!" he shouts as he pulls the trigger. End of flashback. I stand up ten minutes later and clutch my keys between my fingers for protection. Shaking with fear, I moved closer, hearing the noise getting faint. As soon as I realized the people had left, I made my way over to the alleyway, sighing with relief. I freeze when I hear coughing and wincing. My eyes adjust to the darkness as I see a man lying on his side on the ground with blood dripping from the white shirt he is wearing. I made my way over to his side sceptically and leaned down to see the situation. It's bad. The top of his head is bruised and bleeding as blood drips into his golden orange hair, indicating a possible concussion. "Hello" I whispered to him as I turned him over. I let go when he grabbed my hand and I stumbled, falling on my ass. I look at my hands that are shaking, feeling afraid. " Help me." He whines, holding onto my hand as I take in his features. They are almost ethereal. His skin is naturally tanned but soft, unlike my rough, cold, pale skin. His thin brows look neatly trimmed and his eyelashes curl in a professional C curve. His light blue glacier eyes are insubstantial as pain pulls at him and he lets out a deep groan. I let my hand slip out of his hand and pulled my phone out from fighting with my inner trauma. "I'm going to call an ambulance. It looks like you've been shot!" I mumbled in a panicked tone as he shook his hand. Flash back "Joe help, lux, she has been shot help!" Ravi calls, running in grabbing hold of me, picking me up in a fireman's carry, making his way to the front door. Flashback over "No don't, I will be fine!" He murmurs through gritted teeth as he tries to stand up, but instantly falls onto me. I squirm uncomfortably feeling anxiety flow through my body. "Do you live close?" He asked as he held onto my shoulder and I nodded. "Could you help stitch me up? You will be rewarded for your kindness!" He said as I shook my head. "No you're a stranger, what's to say you won't kill me the first chance you get!" I said, crossing my arms obstinately, knowing full well that said, that's not what I am worried about. "This was the first chance and I didn't take it. Are you planning to help me or not!" he hisses out, his voice becoming cold and challenging. "Okay." I said after a minute of contemplation.