A slight whimpering comes from in between the folds of the blood smeared towel. The sound matches similar whining coming from a rectangular, wooden box on the hay strewn ground. I continue rubbing the struggling lump under the towel, until the whimpering seems to grow stronger. Parting the fabric, I grin as a small sable face pokes out, eyes and ears still closed. "Oh my gosh Dad, they're perfect!" I briskly bend down to the whelping box, placing the last puppy against his brothers and sisters who are already nursing from Kerrie. She seems to be grinning herself, panting lightly as she nudges her muzzle against my hand. I pet her before joining dad at the sink, taking the bar of Lava soap and scrubbing my hands.
He nudges me with his shoulder, smiling. "You really seem to have a knack for this, Maddie. Couple years in school, we'll be callin' you Dr. DeWittier."
Cleaning under my nails, I blush slightly and roll my eyes. "Nah. Not me. I'll probably take some typing classes, something to help me along until my dream husband comes along."
Dad frowns at me, grabbing a towel and drying his hands. "Typing? Well, gosh. If I had known that, I wouldn't have been saving up for your veterinary schooling."
My mouth drops open, almost comically. The water runs into the sink as I gawp. "No way! You're pulling my leg. Mom already got me into that prep school, I thought..."
He shuts off the water and tosses his towel at me. "Your momma has a lot of notions about young women and their womanly duties." He puts an arm around my shoulders. "I know this is what you want to do, Maddie. I want you to do what makes -you- happy. Not your mom, not me, not that cute guy in your Home Ecs class."
"Daaaad," I grouse at his last comment. After a moment, I turn and hug him tightly. "This is really awesome. Truly." I stare over to Kerrie and her puppies. "I wish I could start classes now."
He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. "How about you get through prom and graduation first, kiddo. Deal?"
"Dad? Daddy? The dogs are running from me. They don't like me anymore."
The wood floor is cold, even to my frigid skin. I reach up, touching my hair where my dad kissed. Crawling over to the nightstand, I open up the single drawer and pull out a folded up newspaper clipping. It's old and creased, and I try my hardest not to let my tears spill onto the paper. I touch the faded picture of my family, the only tangible memory I have of them.
"I should have protected you better. I'm sorry. It's my fault, daddy."
My mourning is interrupted by yet another invasive prodding at my thoughts. I let out a keening wail, dropping my picture and pressing at my temples. I quickly climb back onto the bed, cocooning myself in the covers, rocking slightly in attempt to comfort myself. I think of my family. The yearning for Sailix, Pyotr and MacAllister's company not outweighing my terror at putting them in danger. "I'm sorry guys. OK? I'm not gonna let them get you. You're safe. You're all safe from me."
I swear I can hear the buzzing sound of the drone, and I fight to keep from slipping into hysterics. The engine of the ATV seems to rev in my mind. I ball up the sheets, biting down on the fabric to keep from screaming. I hear the gunshots ring out. Over and over. Alex goes down, but I pick him up. Over and over. I shield his body with mine, taking the bullets meant for him. He falls to ash. Over and over and over. I see the hunters storming the fort during the day. My brother, my father and my friend, prone and helpless as they're executed in their own haven. No. Please. My claws shred at the mattress. I know it's not real. It's not. None of it. And yet...and yet...
I spit the fabric from my mouth and scream.
"TOMMY! Tommy, please!"
Another day. Another night.
https://youtu.be/Q8LEheSUTGE
Insanity takes its toll on a perpetually teen aged Malkavian.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I will trade it all for another day just to feel you and your warmth.
Waking up as the sun goes down, I'm amazed that I slept through the whole day. The dregs of dreams swirl around my subconscious as I cra...
-
Waking up as the sun goes down, I'm amazed that I slept through the whole day. The dregs of dreams swirl around my subconscious as I cra...
-
I curse loudly, as another bobby pin falls from the stylishly messy pile of pink curls crowing my head. The small metal pin bounces out of s...
No comments:
Post a Comment