Floating in the Abyss ✔️

Chapter 2

I crept out of the house early this morning to go to school, making sure not to wake anyone up, as they had fallen asleep on the couch once again. I had gagged when I first saw them both half naked, clothes strewn all over the place, so I hurried away as fast as I could. It wasn't the first time I'd seen them in this state, but I repeatedly wished it was the last.

The school day went by fast enough. Not quick, but it didn't drag along too much, both a good and a bad thing. I spent my entire day indoors, reading in the school library at recess and lunch, then moving back to classes in between. I had food tech in the middle period, which is why I was thankful for taking the food tech elective. I had taken it two years in a row, and it was the only time I ate nutritious food. We made fruit salad and I was in heaven. I had never eaten anything so delicious, with the sweet fruits and flavours that were foreign to my mouth. I savoured every bite, eating slowly, knowing it was all I would be eating for the entire day.

In my other classes, I sat at the back and kept my head down. I tried to draw the least attention to myself as I could, which generally worked okay. My school wasn't like the schools I had read about in books. It didn't really have your cliques or school bullies. Everyone just hung out with their friends and kept to themselves, which was good for me, but sometimes felt a bit strange. It didn't feel like human nature to all be so secluded. It felt unnatural. Forced, even.

At the end of the day, I walked back to the house. It was nearly a 40-minute walk, but I enjoyed the time I had to myself without having to worry about anything. Although today, my anxiety struck early.

My breath caught in my throat when I saw their car parked in the driveway, along with two other worn-down cars I had seen before which were parked on the street. The same shiny black van was again parked across from the house, but the windows were tinted too dark for me to see if anyone was inside.

I took a deep breath to prepare, then walked up to the front door, using my non-injured shoulder to shove the door open.

"Anna!" She slurred, noticing my arrival. She drowsily made her way from her spot on the couch over to where I was standing, a slightly impressive manoeuvre considering how drunk she was at this point. "Where have you been?" She yelled, her mood changing rapidly. This was normal for her. She greeted me, then yelled, then would strike. I thought them being home this early was finished, since it hadn't been at this time in months. I remained silent and tried to walk past her.

"Answer your mother." He bellowed, glaring angrily at me. I kept silent but forced the thought that she was my mother straight out of my head. He may be my father, and he may have decided to marry her, but that did not make her my mother. Believing that I had a nice mother who cared about me was the one thing that kept me fighting to stay alive. I had dreamed about her looking for me.

"At school." I replied, standing up tall and defiant.

They laughed, along with the few other people who were gathered around the living room, smoking something disgusting and playing what I had learnt was poker. Out of nowhere, she slapped me hard across the face. Taking me by surprise, I fell to the floor, clutching my cheek and wincing at the impact. Usually, there was much more yelling before either of them would strike. The next blow was a hard kick delivered to my side, followed by lots of yelling. I never even knew what the yelling was about. Both of them were throwing shots, each blow feeling worse than the last. I couldn't hear what they were saying anymore, only the deep rumble of sound reaching my ears. The one thing I did hear clearly was a loud bang followed by a shout.

"Everybody freeze!" The mystery voice yelled. I awaited the next punch or kick to my aching body but felt nothing. I used the last of my energy to try and open my eyes, only to see about seven or eight police officers, handcuffing and moving quickly around the room. One female noticed me, gasped and rushed over. I took no notice of the adults being escorted out of the room; hands cuffed behind their backs.

"Call the ambulance." She instructed to another officer. "What's your name, honey?" She asked, grabbing my hand and looking at me in the eyes. She was serious but calm. I had no choice in the moment other than to trust her.

"Ashlyn." I responded quietly.

"Try and stay awake for me Ashlyn, help is coming, you're going to be fine."

"I don't need help. I am fine." I whispered again, my eyes slowly closing. My entire body ached.

"Hold on, just a bit longer." She pushed. I tried to listen and stay awake, but eventually let go, letting myself fade into the peaceful blackness.

Movement.

Loud voices.

Sirens.

My eyes slowly fluttered open.

"She's awake." One man informed another who was on the opposite side of me. "What's your name?" He asked.

"Ashlyn." I replied, so quietly I wasn't sure he could hear me. Thankfully he did.

"How old are you, Ashlyn?"

"15, I think."

"You don't know?" He double checked. I gave my head the slightest shake.

He tried to ask more questions as I was lifted, strapped to a bed, then wheeled into an ambulance, but I began to regain sense and started to feel the pain that surrounded every inch of my body.

I couldn't let go, but I had no choice.

Slowly, I fell.

I didn't hit anything, remaining where I was, floating in the Abyss.