Some time passes, probably. The wind had died down along with the rest of the noise. Now that I’m here reevaluating my life. I’m starting to believe that the wind has to do something with trees and water moving in the wind. Maybe I should test that hypothoso? Hypothes? Hypoglycemia? Hydro Pump? Hyperactive–

“It’s… been…” A deep voice resounds through the night. Something about this voice sends chills down my back as its footsteps echo with a thud. “... so…” his foot slams into the ground, the ground shaking. “... long…” He finishes with an irrevocable step and whispers, “old friend.” His words felt like they were crawling down my back as well. Sweat pours down my face.

“We are not friends.” Another voice hisses. It sounds like father’s voice.

“Aww, don’t be like that. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other!” The voice says playfully, yet still keeping an aura of menace around him. “Why don’t we sit down, have a drink!” His hand slaps down on father’s shoulder.

“Would you keep your voice down? You’re disturbing the peace here. It scares the animals”

“Oh… I wouldn’t have thought you care about the peace of animals… unless… All these years and you still can’t hide when you lie.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Father’s voice remains calm.

“Who else is in the house? Some friends over? A bunch of animals? How about a family?”

“There’s noth-”

“How about her?” I could feel the voice looking at me from a distance. Even though he is far away, his piercing gaze felt like if I were to move, he would get me. “She looks pretty. Doesn’t she remind you of someone? How old?”

“None of your business.”

“What about the fair lady?”

“I’m just staying for the night.”

“You sure? Strange that you would stay the night here for years.”

“...” Father said nothing. His breathing goes faster and faster.

“Don’t you think it’s strange I was able to find this place? It doesn’t matter where you go…” I can feel his shadow right above me as his hand pets my head. “... there’s nowhere you can go that I can’t find you.”

I’m going to pee my pants again. Why? He’s not that scary. His voice is deep, sure. The ground shakes, sure. But why is he so scary? I stay still, pretending to be asleep. Hopefully that will make him go away. His soft pets slowly stop as his hand wraps around my head. It started out soft, but with each second, his grip tightened harder.

“You leave…” father’s voice gets closer somehow “... her alone!”

“I wouldn’t come any closer.” He says calmly. His palm squeezes my head harder. I scream as pounding echoes through my mind. Something wet pours out of my ears. “Still haven’t changed after all these years. Stopping when someone is in danger, like a puppy obeying its master. You know what’s going to happen.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“This is between us-”

“And it is! She has your blood.”

“You know what-”

“I’m not wrong. I am keeping it between us. No one else is getting hurt. Just you… and her.”

The pounding is my head gets louder as the sound of blood fills my ears. My eyes feel so clustered and heavy. I feel like they’re going to explode. His fingers tear through my skull as his fingers crawl inside my head. He lifts me up off the ground by the new holes in my forehead. My blurry eyes couldn’t see anything but a shadow of a slender man in all black.

“Aw, she’s also got cat ears. I always knew you were a cat person. Say…” He pulls me in closer to get a better look. “... She’s got your smile.”

Why is father doing nothing? Didn’t he say he would protect me? He’s just standing there like an idiot. Isn’t he able to jump far and looks strong. He could easily overpower this skinny dude. Is he another liar like the rest?

“Please, stop.” Father begs.

“Then do something. Your little pet is suffering. You know what needs to be done.”

“... No.”

“Where’s that fighting spirit?” He drops me to the ground. “Even after everything that’s happened, you still won’t?” He raises his leg and stomps down on my chest. “After giving them everything, they tossed you to the side like yesterday’s news after you had no use.”

I can feel his foot crushing my chest. My chest feels so heavy. It’s hard to breathe. Why are you just watching?

“Hmm…” The man lifts his foot off my chest and walks away. “I see…”

I close my eyes in relief. He’s finally done… Why can’t I breathe? I gasp for air, but nothing happens. My throat, my mouth gasps for air as I’m choking. My body shakes violently in the air as I try to scream. It’s so tight! I can’t, air. The man’s hand is now around my neck, dangling me like a rag doll.

“Enough!” Father shouts, disappearing right before my eyes.

“Predictable as always.” He laughs, turning around without a second to lose. “Right in the hear-” His rant is cut off by fist through his face. No, wait… not just his face… I can’t feel the left side of my face.

He drops me to the ground. I’m not playing dead this time. Whoever he is, he doesn’t have a problem beating up children. As soon as my feet touch the ground, I kick it with my feet toward the lake. Hitting the gravel, scraping more of my face on impact.

God, that hurts. I glance up and get back on my feet. I haven’t felt this much energy in years. Maybe it’s the adrenaline of almost dying again. God, this is getting old. I didn’t think dying would be such a chore. Oh shit! I shouldn’t be having an inner monologue.

I look up towards the man with a hole in the side of his face. He stumbles back a little and then falls. Before he hits the ground, he just stops falling. His back arched and head dabbing the ground, whips himself back up and slouches over.

“Hehehe… nice shot!” He whips his head up, blood flying out of the hole, his arms dangling lifelessly. “Guess you can teach an old man new tricks. Well, if you ever change your mind, give me a call. And you!” He turns towards me. “You’re a fantastic punching bag.” He turns around, his arms flying around, and walks away. “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell; Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.” After that, he just vanishes.

“So, did I miss anything?” A familiar voice says.

“Shit, you are real?”

“Well, of course, what did you think I was…? On second thought, I don’t give a fuck.”

“Rude.” I feel weak. Everything’s so heavy. The adrenaline I was feeling earlier, all but gone as I fell to the ground.

“Are you alright?” Father says, picking me up.

No thanks to you… I guess you’re better than the last one, not that’s saying much. He walks me over to the bathtub again and picks up mommy.

"Let's get you to bed. We'll get you patched up tomorrow."

Uh... How about now? I literally have hole through the side of my face. Great, you're just going to ignore me. Though... I could go for a nap.