Call

It was a quarter before midnight, but I could still hear the argument from the living room downstairs. Even under the blanket of my comforter and blazing music of my earplugs, I could still hear them.

I could hear dishes crashing and screams. Banging and burning throats from all the shouting. I hear them and I feel the blood under my skin crawl, like a centipede tracing its way on a tree branch.

I flinched at a loud break from outside my room. He's outside.

I crawl hurriedly off my bed and slink under it, gripping my phone against my trembling body.

"TREVOR!" I covered my mouth to stop myself from crying out as the tears slowly slid their way out of my eyes. He's here.

I felt my phone shake against my chest.

[Hey, I’m going for a drive. Life’s been hard and I’m craving for some peace] From: Fiona Craig

I squint my eyes at the bright screen. Wha--?

I shook my head. Now’s not the time. I slid my phone in my pocket as I crawled towards the edge of the bed. I didn't hear the door open. Did he leave?

I reach for the bed sheet covering the view of the door when a pair of bottle green eyes met mine.

"I was wondering when you'd come out" He said with a grin on his face. I gulped. My eyes wandered to my sister's bloody and unconscious body in the hallway. I felt a wave rush through me. A loud shriek escaped my lips as he dragged me out from under the bed by the hair.

“Anna! Anna!” I called at my sister’s limp body. She wasn’t moving. She wasn’t moving.

“NO! Anna! Anna No!” I cried out as he dragged me down the stairs. I felt my scalp burn and my heart slam against my rib cage. As if it’s trying to burst out.

“Let me go please!” I cried as I tried to keep up with him. He’s tearing my hair off!

He sighed when we arrived at the bottom of the stairs. “You guys are such…TRASH!”

I felt everything spin as he tossed me across the kitchen island. I gasped. Choking on my own breath. My ribs was aching and I couldn’t feel the limbs on the right side of my body.

“I…I worked hard for you! For her! And this…” he leaned on the counter and looked down on me. His green eyes gleaming like toxic waste ready to melt me out of existence.

“I—“he was cut off.

Everything off. Did I black out? Am I dead?

I heard a scoff and beams of light flashing one by one through the windows.

“Henry Harrison” a loud voice of authority called out. I look up at him, his eyes were wide despite the fact that he was staring straight at the lights outside the house. What is happening?

I heard the door smash open as a bunch of footsteps came in.

“What is happening?! Why are you cuffing me?!”

“Henry Harrison you are under arrest for Domestic violence against your siblings” I lie limp, ears ringing, my brain refused to accept the fact that the cops are here and he’s getting arrested.

I felt my phone vibrate.

“Don’t worry son, everything is gonna be alright” A cop crouched beside me. I mustered to find my voice.

“Please…C-“I choked and coughed out blood. The cop’s eyes widen at the sight. I feel like my chest weights a ton.

My throat feels like sandpaper. I weakly reached for my pocket. Raising my arm alone feels like it’s gonna fall off.

I need to see what she sent me.

[Hey, I’m going for a drive. Life’s been hard and I’m craving for some peace] sent

I stared at the message and sighed. I’m sorry Trev. I turn my phone off and fished out the locking pliers from the boot. I’ve always known Trev. I may be quiet but I’m not blind.

There was a loud clash of chains as it fell to the ground. I swear I’m a good girl. I took a huge swing and smashed the local Power plant.

I stand firm as the lights slowly died down like a plant that was rotting from the bud. I swear on my dead abusive mother’s name that I am a good girl. "Yes, officer. The red house on block 3."

I breathe out as I ended the call and watched the state below slowly flicker out like an ocean of candles blown out by a gush of wind.

I turn around as I dial another number.

“Hello?” I took of my other glove and tossed it in the boot before shutting it close. My baby, I hope this isn’t the last moment I would be spending with you, I thought as I smiled at my car and sat on the bumper.

“Hello this is 911, how can I help you?” I look up at the sky. I love black outs. It reminds me of when my mother died and it makes me feel like I’m floating in space. There’s nothing but darkness around me and stars above me.

“Yeah, I’d like to report something”

Dad always told me, when he tucked me to bed, that my night light is to keep the darkness away. But I always wondered why people would fear the darkness when all bad things happen under the lights.

The light is the land of faces but the void is the realm of the soul.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” I stared at the attorney. Why did I have one in the first place? Is this how the law works? I already gave myself in. Is this capitalism? Making me pay for fees that would drain me more than jail would ever will?

“You know there isn’t a point in this” I stated. He only breathed in and run a hand on his hair. He looked at me. Sending me glares that could kill me at any given day.

“Fiona—“ I raised a hand to cut him off, “No, William. I did it”

“But Why?!” he let out a frustrated groan. Of course he wants to win the case, it’s broadcast runs all over the continent; Local girl destroyed a Power plant and calls 911 to report herself in. headlines spell my name as crazy. What makes it juicy is that it doesn’t make a bit sense.

I leaned back on my chair and smiled at him. On cue, the door opened and a cop told William that his time with me has expired. I don’t want to be out there William. "If all there is in the light is fake faces and lies, I’d rather stay in the dark."

[Do you still remember that time in 5^th grade when you got called in office? You came back tear stained and offered to walk home with me. That was the first time you ever talked to me. It was when my dad and your parents died.

And do you remember that time when you said the wrong address to the pizza man and they came to my house, which was right across the street, instead of yours? That was when they arrested my mom.

I don’t know if you know it’s me. I keep sending you things that happened to me since I left but you never reply.

It’s fifteen years due and I just paid you a debt and a visit] From: Fiona Craig