I looked up from my battered, so called shoes and saw my Dad enter. “Looks like we can go home.” He said.
I gave a slight smile to hear good news. I was about to sit myself down into the chair but I decided to walk instead, give my poor injured muscles a little stretch. Dad was first to leave. I took a few slow steps towards the door, but I turned back to see my broken down room. That was no earthquake. Did I do that?
Chapter Seven
I slowly shuffled down the hospital hall clinging onto my Dad’s arm. Behind the nurse’s station, Dr. Moss and Bella were talking amongst themselves. I gave a weak wave and they both smiled and waved back. Hopefully this will be the last time I come to a hospital.
Dad unlocked the car door with a soft clunk. He ran around to me and gently lowered me into the passenger seat with a bit of difficulty. The horrible crash flooded back onto my memories, being in the car felt like I was reliving it again. I just stared blindly in front of me and I snatched out to grab onto my Dad’s hand before he walked away.
“We’ll take it slow, okay.” He said. I pulled the seatbelt over me and plugged it in.
I slowly said. “Maybe getting into the car is wrong.” He quickly ran around and jumped into the driver’s seat. I swallowed hard. He started the car and it gave a little roar which startled me. I gripped the sides of the seat and dug my nails in and waited for the horror to start again.
He pulled away from the curb and drove at medium speed. I closed my eyes hoping that the drive would be over all ready. I kept on replaying the same scene inside my head, the moment when we were hit. I remembered my body being thrown around like a rag doll. I squeezed my eyes tighter hoping to wash the image from my mind. Over and over it played the horrible scene until all was left was Kate’s battered car. Then my mind took me back to the dream I had. Kate’s body lying in the middle of the road, all alone. I didn’t want to see that anymore. I shook my head to rid myself of the horrid image.
“Ellie.” A voice whispered.
My eyes shot open to see my Dad looking down.
“Where’re home now.” He said.
I looked around. We were parked outside the house. I just wanted to run upstairs to my bed and stay there forever. I threw the seatbelt off and walked towards the house while Dad watched every move I made. He opened the door and waited while I slowly crossed over into our home.
“Shall I go make us a cup of tea?” He asked. I wanted to agree but could not get the words out. He walked off towards the kitchen and I just stood there in the hall, alone.
Everything felt so awkward, even being at home, it felt wrong for me to be here, like I don’t deserve to come home. I walked into the living room and tried to sit, but I felt anxious like something bad was about to happen. I just couldn’t shake the feeling.
I got up and started pacing around the room. I just couldn’t sit still. My body felt wrong, I didn’t know what to do with myself. My stomach felt uneasy. I took off upstairs covering my mouth. Leaning over the toilet, I threw up a yellowish green liquid, coughing and spluttered into the toilet bowl. My mouth tasted awful. I rinsed my mouth with some water to get rid of the awful taste. My legs slowly eased onto the cold bathroom floor. I reached out and pulled the toilet handle to flush.
“Ellie?” Dad called from downstairs. I didn’t have the energy to answer back. I heard footsteps and then a gentle knock on the door. “Are you okay?” He asked.
Struggling to stand up, I wiped my face with a towel and opened the door to see Dad’s worried face looking at me.
“I’m fine, really.” I lied.
“There’s tea downstairs if you want any?” He knew I was lying.
Finally coming out the toilet, Dad followed behind me as I struggled down the stairs. I felt like a weak kitten, my body ached with pain and I wanted it to stop. He held out his hand for support but I didn’t need it. I had to do this on my own, I didn’t deserve help. We both entered the kitchen and he poured the tea from the boiling kettle. I took the hot mug with both hands while the heat pricked my skin. We both sat down at the kitchen table, slowly drinking. Again it felt awkward, even just sitting here. We hardly said anything to each other we just sat in silence and sipped.
It was getting late. I drank the dregs of my cold tea and placed it in the sink.
“I’m going to have an early night.” I finally said.
He looked up from his stale tea and nodded. I noticed that dark circles had formed around his eyes. “You could use an early night too.”
He tried to give me a smile but I noticed he was drained, he been through so much. I bent down and planted a kiss on his forehead.
“Goodnight Dad, get some sleep.” I told him.
“I’m the one who should be telling you that.” He replied.
I left him in the kitchen and painfully pulled myself up the stairs to my bedroom. I opened my bedroom door to find that the bed had new sheets and my room was tidy. My grim face formed into a little smile. “Thanks Dad.”
I changed into my lazy top and climbed into bed. My bed sheets smelled so fresh not like the horrible hospital ones. Itchy and like cardboard. A few minutes later there was a knock on my door.
“Come in.” I said. I noticed my voice was tired.
Dad came into the room and sat next to me on the bed. He began to stroke my hair slowly. It reminded of when I was a child. He would always stroke my hair to send me off to sleep. I just felt so safe.
“Do you want to go to school tomorrow? I can phone them, if you..” I cut him off.
“No I’d rather go. Plus I want to see Becky and Lilly.” I said.
“Well, do you want me to drive you to school? I’m off for a few days but I have to pop into work tomorrow.”
“No, I’d rather walk.” I said. Just talking about driving made me thinks of Kate.
“Your friends have been asking about you.” He said.
“I’ll see them tomorrow anyway.” I said with a yawn.
He kissed me on my forehead and turned off the light as he left the room. I got comfortable and pulled the soft sheets up to my neck. As soon as I closed my eyes I was gone.
I woke up in pitch black with a gagging thirst. My throat felt like it was on fire. I got up from the bed. My head was fuzzy and I could not hold my balance. I fumbled for the light switch but could not find it. My legs buckled and I fell hard onto the floor. The air around me felt thick, I couldn’t breathe. My heavy eyelids began to fall. Then my eyes shot open. There was that smell again, that putrid horrible smell.
My nose and mouth burned with each breath I took. The strong smell entered my lung with its poisonous odor. The strong stench became unbearable. I covered my mouth with my hand and tried to stand up. I grabbed hold onto then bed and tried to pull myself up. I stumbled my way out of my room, pulling the door open. My whole body became like jelly. I fell forward, losing my balance, hoping to grab onto something. My whole body felt like it was filled with lead. I craned my neck around to face my Dad’s room. My voice tried to call out but it was useless. My voice had left me. Deep down the hall, there was something in front of my Dad’s bedroom door, tall and dark.
No it wasn’t something, it was someone. A large silhouette was standing in front of his bed-room door. At first I thought it was him, but he would have seen and helped me. This was not my father.
“Dad!” I tried to shout but it came out only a whisper.
This was causing the horrible smell, being so close to it made me gag and my eyes water. The dark silhouette came closer, until it stood towering over me. I coughed as the stench surrounded me, making it hard to breathe. The dark figure bent down and struck me across the face. Tiny black and white stars filled my blurry vision. Once I was dazed, the creature threw me onto his shoulders with ease and carried me off down the stairs. I tried to kick and scream but it was useless I was weak, my aching muscles failed me. The figures clothes were rotted and foul, he smelled of raw sewage. Being so close I wanted to throw up. I tried to grab on to any
thing within reach, but its sharp claws pierced my back filling my body with pain.
He violently kicked the door open and the cold night air flew throughout the house sending chills up and down my spine. He walked out of the house with me slumped over his shoulder. I was helpless. I felt light and heavy at the same time. I raised my lead filled head to see my house filled with black silhouettes, they were standing on the roof and were inside looking down at me from the windows. I screamed as hard as I could and I woke myself up.
Chapter Eight
I found myself tangled up in the bed sheets. My breathing was rapid and I was covered in damp cold sweat. The clock next to me made it regular buzzing noise. I slapped the off button. Sitting upright sat I pulled the soaking wet t-shirt off my body. The sweat had made my hair tangle into a mess. I jumped into my shower as soon as I could. The hot running water jetted out of the shower head. As the warm water flowed I had time to think.
These dreams are getting more and more real. I thought. They can’t be real can they? Maybe it’s because of everything that’s happened. I thought as I let the warm water flow over me.
I stopped the shower and grabbed the towel and quickly dried myself. I was drying my hair in the mirror when all of a sudden I felt weak, like all the energy I had just left my body at that moment.
“Maybe its cos’ I haven’t had any breakfast yet.” I said to my reflection.
I continued to dry my hair with my hair dryer. I looked awful; I had many cuts on my face along with a few bruises, which were now turning a shade of yellow.
I walked down the stairs careful not to fall. My balance was still not hundred percent yet. I walked into the kitchen expecting to see my Dad sitting there with his usual cup of tea, but there was no sign of him. The house was empty without him, and I hated it. I switched on the TV, but only for the background noise. Two pieces of bread were put into the toaster and I waited for them to go golden brown. I was in the kitchen, waiting, when I heard my name coming from the living room. At first I thought it was Dad, but it was the voice of a woman and it was coming from the TV. Walking into the living room, I could see a woman presenting the news. The presenter was sitting in from of a desk talking about a recent car crash.
“The car was hit by a truck and immediately killing a young woman named Kate Laveau. There was also another victim.” The woman said into the camera. I walked closer to the TV and there it was; a picture of Kate with her big smile. I fell to my knees in pain, tears fell down my cheeks. I just sat in front of the TV, staring at Kate’s picture. The presenter still had more to say.
“Please don’t say my name, please don’t say my name.” I said to the TV.
“The young girl’s named Ellie Laveau, was niece to Kate Laveau.” A picture of me came up. I was in my school uniform. They must have used one of my school photos. I was wearing a big smile. I hadn’t smiled like that in a long time.
“The young girl was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, where she made a full recovery.” The woman went onto the next story.
The story was over, but my eyes would not move from the screen. A popping noise brought me back. I got to my feet and went into the kitchen where it greeted me with a burning smell. The toast was completely burnt. I grabbed two more slices and placed them in the toaster. This time I waited, taking the golden hot toast I started to spread some honey onto it. I ate it carefully, hoping not to get any honey onto my uniform. I finished my breakfast, placing the plate into the sink. Inside the there were a few dishes piling up slowly.
“I’ll do them after school.” I said.
I grabbed my school bag and put on my black heeled shoes and I was out the door. This time there was no car to take me to school. I was walking my way to school. The news report had me thinking. The woman had been talking about Kate and the crash.
“Why did it have to be on TV?” I muttered to myself. “Everyone will be talking about it and I really don’t need that right now.”
Seeing Kate’s picture on the TV brought it all back. I didn’t want to think about that right now. I tried to shake the horrible thoughts that were nagging at me. Just a few more steps and I would be coming round the corner. My school was in plain sight. I could feel my heart skip a beat. Maybe staying home would be good for me. No I need to do this. School was what I needed right now, something to distract myself.
I walked towards the grim building and saw Lilly and Becky standing by the main gates talking amongst themselves. Straight away I smiled and nearly ran towards them, but my injuries filled me with pain.
“Ellie?!” It was Becky who saw me first. Lilly whipped round and I saw how happy she saw.
Both of them ran towards me. They were about to hug me but I instantly backed away and they quickly remembered.
“Oh my god Ellie, I’m so sorry about your aunt.” Becky sobbed.
“Yeah Ellie, we’re sorry about Kate she was a good person.” Lilly had tears in her eyes. “We heard it on the news the other day.”
“We wanted to see you at the hospital but they wouldn’t let us in.” Lilly said.
“Yeah we had flowers, cards and a cute little teddy bear for you.” Becky said while counting her fingers.
“Ellie.” Lilly paused. “There is a rumor going around that you caused the accident.”
I felt my body go weak and my head flushed with dizzyness. The tightness inside my stomach was back, but this time it was hurting. I wanted to scream, shout, anything to releve this pain I was feeling.
“Who?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Me and Lilly have been trying to find out who started it, but we know it’s utter bullshit.” she said.
“Yeah Ellie, we know It was just an accident.” said Lilly
Both of the girls took turns talking, but I wasn’t really listening, I was ready to explode on the inside. How could someone do this kind of thing, what is wrong with people? I had to keep it locked away for now and keep on going.
“Come on, we need to get to lessons.” said Lilly.
I followed them without a word, trailing behind them with my head hanging low.
“How you feeling anyway?” Lilly asked. “Those cuts must hurt?”
I didn’t realize that Lilly was talking to me until I looked up. “Um I’m okay, they don’t sting at much as they used to and I’m still not steady on my feet yet. Just need time to heal that’s all.” I said.
“Do you want to lean on..” Becky got cut off.
“No she’s fine.” Lilly blurted out.
I cleared my throat. “So whats been going on, any news?” I asked.
“Well not really, just the same.” Lilly replied.
“Oh.” I replied sadly. I wished something would happen so it would take some of the pressure off.
“Well I do have something,” Becky said. “That little shit Matthew stood me up.”
“No way!” I said.
“Yep. She was totally going mad on the phone.” Lilly said. “Swearing like mad woman, she was.”
“Well I was pissed off that he stood me up, I was so looking forward to it as well.”
“What was his excuse for standing you up?” I asked.
“He said that his cat was ill.” Beckys face lit up a bright red.
I pressed a hand over my mouth to stop myself from bursting into laughter. Looking over at Lilly she was doing the same. Lilly was the first to crack and burst into laughter, I could not keep it in any longer and laughter came flooding out. Lilly was laughing too hard that some people were giving us weird looks.
“Stop laughing!” Becky ordered.
Lilly and I tried to quell our laughing fits. After a while they died down leaving our faces red and drenched with tears. Becky stood in front of us with her arms locked around her waist with an evil stare in her eyes.
“Sorry Becky but it’s too funny.” I said through little giggles.
While wiping some tears off my face, the school buzzer rang loud through the halls, signaling that it was
time for lessons.
We entered the school and walked down the corridor to our first lesson. For a moment we were laughing and everything seemed like it was before, but It was just an illusion.
“Well, see you later then.” Becky said.
They both said their goodbyes and then they were gone. I turned around to walk to my own class when it seemed that all the students in the entire school had descended into the hallways. More students came in and out of door ways, some of them pushing and knocking into me without a single sorry. I held onto myself while the pain flowed though my beaten body. I tried to push against them to get to my lesson. It was no use, I was not getting passed. Quickly I jumped into a small corner to avoid the crowd. My forehead began to sweat. I swiped at the beads of sweat and peeked out to see the tide of students.
I can do this. I thought to myself.
Deciding to stay until I could more freely. Again I looked around the corner and saw only a few handful of students left. I made a break for it and quickly walked to my class.
My first class of the day was science with Mrs Donavan. I walked through the doors and saw her standing around her desk. Mrs Donavan began to write todays lesson on the board. Today she wore another comfortable cardigan along with a lose pair of brown trowsers. I sat at my normal seat next to Leah. As I sat down she didn’t even acknowledge me.
I grabbed my books out of my bag and waited for Mrs Donavan to start. She turned around to face the class. Slowly she scanned around the room and her eyes met mine. She gave me a tiny smile and began to talk to the class. I tried to smile back at her but could not. Todays lesson was about photosynsisthis. Just thinking about that word made my brain hurt. Was that the thing about the plants or something. I placed my hand to my forehead, thinking more about it made it worse.
I ignored my brain and just listened to Mrs Donavan instead. Some of the notes I jotted down were quite useful. As I was writing more I prayed that my pen would not run out like last time. Leah next to me did not look like she was in the mood. (Was she ever in the mood?). I didn’t need friends like her anyway I had Lilly and Becky. Just thinking about them made me smile a little, then, my smile slipped.
Broken (The Siren Series #1) Page 6
