march 19, 2023

^^^March 19, 2023^^^

I dreamed about back when we used to keep the basement unlocked. I was tied to a chair, screaming as a woman chanted strange words around me. I could not understand anything she said, but the more she spoke the more the bloody symbols carved into the walls seemed to twist and gape. The room was dimly lit with candles, and a faint smell of frankincense permeated the room.

The woman's eyes began to bleed black. A thick liquid that leaked down her face, and suddenly she grabbed my arm. I could feel my skin blister where she touched, and as soon as I let out a blood curling scream I flew up in my bed.

I took a deep breath in, wiping my eyes and doing a quick perusal of my skin. A sinking feeling hit my gut when I saw handprints against the same arm the woman in my dream touched me at.

I wore long sleeves that day and ignored it like I always did when anything strange happened. I did not bring it up to my father. I did not bring it up to my friend. It was not the first time I had woken up with nightmares and handprints on me, and it would not be the last time.

Math was the only class had with Klein. It was a class that I hated but Klein did passable at, so he tended to try and explain things whenever we were left alone to do problems.

"But I don't get it. Where is the 'Y' even coming from?"

He pointed over to the other side of the equation. "We've divided it now so it's on the other side."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair and leaning back in the chair. "My brain is fried," I announced.

Klein chuckled, glancing discreetly at their teacher Mr. Hanson and reaching a hand below the desk to squeeze my thigh. He leaned closer to my neck, whispering against me. "Will your dad be home tonight?"

My father was a lawyer with unpredictable hours. I often watched my brother after school, and it would not be a surprising occurrence for my father to stay all night at the office.

I grinned, wrinkling my nose at him. "He told me this morning he would be home late." "Alright, that's enough," the teacher said with a severe look. Klein and I pulled away from each other with a blush. Klein grabbed my arm suddenly, looking where my sleeve had ridden up. "What is this?"

I hurried to cover the marks, avoiding his gaze. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" he repeated in disbelief. pulling my jacket back up. He brushed his fingers against the marks softly, peering into my eyes. "Is someone... hurting you?"

"No."

"Is someone is bullying you at school?"

I shook my head. "No, it's not like that."

Klein pulled his chair closer. "Then tell me what it's like, Kryz. There are marks on your arm. Someone is hurting you."

I shook my head till my air covered my face. "It's nothing." I whispered.

Klein stared at me, an unreadable expression in his eyes. He bit down on his inner cheek, taking a deep breath in. "Is it your father?"

I flinched, immediately shaking my head in denial. "No. why would you say such a thing?"

Klein shrugged, turning away. "What am I supposed to think? You won't talk about it."

"My dad would never do something like that. He's never even hit me."

"Alright, alright. I believe you." he murmured, eyes searching mine. His hand reached out, enclosing my own. "But if something was happening you would tell me. right?"

"Of course."

That night my father did not come back late, much to my surprise. He did not catch me or my boyfriend at anything either though because I had not even tucked my little brother Ray into bed.

"You're here late," my father commented.

Klein scratched the back of his neck while my father watched him knowingly. "I wanted to help her with the dishes... it was only right after she fixed dinner."

My father shook his head in dry amusement. "If you two are doing that I hope you're both being safe."

I choked on my water. Klein making a startled noise of surprise. Ray looked at us both before turning to dad.

"Safe about what, daddy?"

"Uhh, coloring!" Klein bursts. "Safe about coloring! We have to color in the lines."

My father snorted but did not try to deny my boyfriend's statement. Suddenly, his eyes fell on my marks and his jaw tightened.

"Is this new?" he asked, grabbing my arm to examine it.

"Yes." I frowned. pulling away and turning back to the dishes. I could feel Klein's eyes burning a hole against my back, watching us carefully.

My father pulled away with a frown, helping me wipe down the counters. "We should do something fun this weekend. I know I don't always say it, but I'm thankful for you helping out with your little brother so much. You don't have to." It was a quick change of subject. The only thing he could do for me was ignore it.

"I don't mind." I murmured.

"I know you don't, but I still feel bad." He rinsed the rag off in the sink. leaving it to dry over the faucet. "You should be out there making friends, spending more time with your boyfriend."

I snorted. "What friends? I only have Matthew, and its soccer season so he's always busy during this time. As for me and Klein. we're fine. We're happy hanging out here after school. That's more than enough." "Alright then, if you ever need any money don't be afraid to ask. I really do mean we should do something fun this weekend. You can come too if you'd like, Klein."

Klein nodded his head shyly. "Thank you."

"Amusement park?" my brother chirped.

"If you'd like." my father told him.

"Amusement park!" my brother confirmed, racing around in circles. Klein chuckled, gather him in his arms. "Well you still need a bath little buddy, so let's get going." He kissed my forehead as he left, Ray trying to jump up and down in his arms.

"You were never like that," my father said as soon as they were gone. "Always so calm and soft spoken. Polite too, kept to your manners and didn't need reminders."

I shrugged. "You didn't have to raise me alone."

My father's jaw tightened just the slightest. "It's better this way."

"Yes," I agreed, staring out the window.

"It's better this way, but she wasn't always like that."

.........

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