Bloodlines

Pumpkins

Theodore

I shoot out of bed, gasping for air.

You're fine.

Panting, I run to the bathroom. I quickly turn on the cold shower and stand in it while I catch my breath.

That's when I hear the door where the toilet is, open.

My eyes widen.

"Oh uh—" Avalon gulps. I turn to her, turning the shower off as water drips from my body. "Are you okay? I heard you running in here like a bat outta hell."

I give her a fake smile before slamming my hand on the wall, startling her. "Do NOT talk to me. Also, I suggest you don't say a WORD to any of the guys or so help me I'll put you six feet under. Understand?"

She struggles to find words... that is, until I smack my hand again. "Yes." She says forcefully.

I scoff, grabbing a towel and walking back into my bedroom.

I change into different clothes before staggering to my desk, opening the drawer and pulling out my medication bottle.

My hands shake as I hold the soon to be empty bottle. I really have to pick up more medication.

I pop open the cap and drown a pill down my throat with some water. I sigh, throwing myself onto my bed.

"Knock knock." Dawson says before entering.

"What." I say more as a statement.

"We're going to the pumpkin patch here in a few minutes... you wanna come?" He asks.

"Momma! Look at this one!" I grab mommas hand, dragging her to the huge perfectly round pumpkin.

"Is that the one you want, baby?" She leans down with a smile.

"Yes!" I jump around in excitement. "It's perfect."

She goes to speak but she's cut off by stomping coming towards us. "So this is where you guys have been?!" Dad raises his voice. "Foolishness!" He throws the pumpkin I wanted on the ground. "Life is not about this silly stuff! Home. NOW!"

"Dave, he wanted to pick out a pumpkin for Hallo—"

"Of course he did! He is NOT taking this seriously. He's going to get absolutely nowhere in life if you keep treating him like a CHILD! He's WEAK! He's nothing like his brothers and at this rate, I highly doubt he ever will! Such a waste of space." Dad spits at my feet before grabbing our arms and dragging us away.

I clench my jaw and look at Dawson. "I'm gonna sit this one out."

"Dawson! We have a plan! We're gonna have a pumpkin carving contest!" Avalon runs over to us then she looks at me. "You wanna carve them with us?"

I can't sit here and be angry... my heart is kind of melted right now if I'm gonna be honest.

"I've never carved a pumpkin before." I reply.

She gasps. "Well you gotta come then! The goal is to pick out the best looking pumpkin and make the best face. I'll help yo—" She stops herself. "If you want me to."