Young Writers Society

I cry out in pain as my mother pins me to the ground, her leather belt in one hand. Snap! Another lash across my lower back and I begin to go into a full blown panic, feeling as though I can't breathe. I struggle with all my might to get away, though it's no use. She’s sitting on top of my legs, preventing me from moving. Snap! I let out a hiss, clawing at the ground as she finally begins to get off of me. “Perhaps that’ll teach you not to run from me when I punish you.” She sneers, putting her belt back on. I shakily rise off the floor, not taking my eyes off of her for a moment. Teardrops form at the edges of my eyes, though I refuse to let them fall. I wait until she turns and walks back into her room before running up the stairs and into the bathroom. Only when the door clicks shut do I let the tears fall. I cry quietly, not wanting to let anyone hear me. I can’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me weak.

I dab my nose with tissue paper and wipe the tears from my eyes. I am strong. Stronger than she’d ever know. Anger now tears through me like a knife and it becomes harder to control. My vision is blinded by hatred for all living things, including myself. I stay in the bathroom, refusing to come out until she leaves for work. Then I travel slowly down the stairs, taking a knife from its place. I hesitate for a moment, staring at the dull silver blade, then viciously drag it across my arm. Over and over, the blade slides easily into my flesh and leave marks dripping red. Sighing, I rinse off the knife and put it back in its place. I look down at my arm now dripping blood onto the floor and stick it under the faucet as well. The crimson droplets flow down the drain, and i dab my arm dry with a paper towel. I put on my black jacket, careful to make sure that the cuts were covered. Walking over to the dining room, I sit down and stare at the wall, not thinking, not feeling, probably not even being. I just was.

☬☬☬

Maximum Rhyne, please come to the office to sign out. Thank you. The speaker blares statically overhead. I stand up, confused of what was going on, and grab my book bag. I leave the class without saying goodbye, not that anyone had offered me one in the first place. Truth be told, I had no friends. In fact, almost everyone hated me. Not that I really cared. 

Still, I had no idea why I would be leaving when my mother almost never picked me up unless absolutely necessary. Which it usually isn't, considering I have a car and drive myself wherever I need to go. I grab my stuff from my locker and head to the office, only to find that she is not standing there. I warily step up to the front desk,

“Um, I was told to come to check out?”

An elderly lady looks up at me from her paperwork. "Ah, yes, you must be Maximum. Come right this way and we’ll explain to you what's going on.”

She gives me a reassuring smile and leads me through the office, taking me into an office with a stranger waiting in the room. Panic fills my stomach. Who was this lady?

She's slim and wearing a knee length skirt and dress shirt. Her hair is feathery and long, and with her she holds a briefcase, so I can assume she's some sort of business lady. Her skin was so white she could be Voldemort and her hair was a deep sunset red. Her face was dotted with several freckles. She smiles at me, gesturing for me to take a seat in a nearby chair. The lady from the desk stands beside me, placing one hand on my shoulder, almost as if to comfort me. Before I can ask what's going on, the business lady closes the door and immediately begins to speak, “Hello Maximum. My name is Lorelei, and I work with Social Services.”

“So?” Butterflies flitter in my stomach

“Yes, right. Well, I’ve had a few reports come in saying that your mother has clearly not been treating you well. Long story short, we have recently undergo an at-home investigation and have decided to do an immediate evacuation...” Her words blur in my mind and I can only sit there, smiling like an idiot.