home ? b. allen ? (discontinued)

C H A P T E R S I X

s t a t u s
partially edited
w r i t t e n
07.19.16

I LEFT AT ONE AM THE NEXT MORNING, more than thankful that the West house didn't have an alarm system. It would have been much harder to sneak away if I didn't just have to simply unlock the door and walk out. Being the courteous person that I am, I even locked it behind me.

I had made up my mind about leaving as soon as Iris picked me up. I couldn't be a burden to them any longer, and I couldn't bring myself to stay and have them nag me for answers. Most importantly, I need to forget. They were just a painful reminder of my past.

Although she was awfully reluctant to, Iris had dropped me off at the public library on her way to work. I refused to tell her why, and, thankfully, she refused to even ask.

The only plan I could think of was to go to Trinity City, which was just over a hundred miles away from the West's house according to the computer at the library. After considering booking a hotel room there, I realized that move would be idiotic. If anyone tried to track me down, I would have made it ten times easier for them.

The roads were practically empty that night. I walked down the sidewalk, trying to find the stars in the sky. Unaware that I had reached a jagged, cracked area of the sidewalk, I tripped, flying forward towards the rough pavement. Loose rocks dug holes into my hands and knees, ripping the soft skin to shreds. I laid there for a moment, splayed out as the heat from my skin left to warm up the ground.

Everything from the past few week came trickling out of my eyes as I sat up. I stared at my hands through blurred lenses and attempted to pick out the tiny gravel pieces. The blood made it harder than I'd like to admit. I gave up eventually, wiping my hands across my jeans in a single, painful motion.

"God, what am I doing?" I whispered. I used the tears that were rolling down my face to clean my hands. "That won't work you idiot."

I slipped my book-bag off and rummaged through it, searching for my water bottle. I poured some on my hand, expecting it to sting. Instead, it felt good to have the coolness seeping into my skin. I rung my hands together and wiped them off on my pants once again.

"You know, we have towels back at the house that would probably work better."

What? I glanced over my shoulder to see Barry awkwardly standing a couple feet behind me with his hands in his pockets. Sympathy radiated from his composure.

I stood up, drying my face with my shirt sleeve before turning around and facing Barry.

"What do you want?" I asked. I had already felt ashamed enough without him watching me cry. How long had he been following me? I mean, I was a couple streets down from the house.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He explained. "I mean, after everything that happened at the mall and all..."

He trailed off.

Iris told him. I had actually trusted her when I asked her not to tell anyone and she promised she wouldn't. Silly me for actually believing in people.

"Look, I don't want sympathy from you or Iris or any other freaking person in this freak-show of a town -- and I think you'll be happy to know that I'm leaving."

I spun around and walked in the grass to avoid falling again. He followed.

"Kat, I--"

"Don't --" I started with a yell, then remembered I was surrounded by houses of people who were trying to sleep. Sighing, I quietly continued. "Don't call me that."

"Sorry. I just--" He paused for a moment. "Please stay until tomorrow at least. We can talk about everything."

He reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me as I walked away. Frustrated and tired, I turned around to face him once more.

"Stop it, okay?" I demanded. "As nice as you and your family are to me, I know you guys don't want me here. I'm a freak. A burden. I have no control over my powers, and I'm bound to explode soon! I don't want to hurt somebody again! Just let me get out of your life before I ruin it, okay? Please."

I was angry at the tears that were streaming down my face. I was angry at his perfect family. I was angry that I didn't have that. That I didn't have people who loved me. I was so frustrated with everyone and everything. Myself included. But most of all, I was terrified.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't get close to them. I was bound to explode.

"Katherine, you saved Iris's life. You aren't a freak -- you're a hero. You --"

"Barry, I'm no hero."

His eyes were sad. Disappointed. Confused. I couldn't look at them without breaking completely, so I didn't. I looked at my freshly ripped jeans and the bloody knees they no longer concealed.

"Tell Iris I said bye."

With that, I left him. Making my ways towards the bus station, my legs aching to the same beat as my heart. I forced myself to suck it up and stop crying. Dwelling on the pain would just damage me further. I need to be strong. I need to forget.

Barry's footsteps sounded as his feet scrapped against the gravel in his slow, defeated retreat. I heard him mutter a solemn, 'Goodbye Kat.'

And I felt hollow.

☼☼☼

AND THE PLOT THICKENS.

I have so much
planned out,
& I cannot wait
to write it all.

IT'S GONNA GET SERIOUS.

YEET.

☼☼☼