|Journey|

I wake up with a startled expression. Sweat droplets running down my forehead. My shirt clings to my back. I had woken up to the same nightmare. The one that brought me back to the incident all those years ago. I wished it wasn't the only one I ever remembered. I looked at the side of my bed the alarm ready at 5:15 am. My hand lifted the sheets over my head and my eyes closed. I had stayed up working on the homework to give in to my tutor.

A beeping sound woke me up. My eyes fluttered open and flickered to the right. They landed on my black alarm.

"Stupid alarm. No point in having you when that murderer always wakes me up anyways," I thought in remorse. It wasn't the alarm's fault that my family was this messed up... Poor Alarm, Poor Me. The door creaked open and a *Journey*

I wake up with a startled expression. Sweat droplets running down my forehead. My shirt clings to my back. I had woken up to the same nightmare. The one that brought me back to the incident all those years ago. I wished it wasn't the only one I ever remembered. I looked at the side of my bed the alarm ready at 5:15 am. My hand lifted the sheets over my head and my eyes closed. I had stayed up working on homework to give in to my tutor.

A beeping sound woke me up. My eyes fluttered open and flickered to the right. They landed on my black alarm.

Stupid alarm. No point in having you when that murderer always wakes me up anyways. It wasn't the alarm's fault that my family was this messed up... Poor Alarm, Poor Me. The door creaked open and a head popped in.

"Breakfast is ready. Come down as soon as possible."

I stared at my mother blankly. Although I didn't like her, I had to admit she tried...sometimes.

I lifted a thumbs up and my mother smiled in satisfaction. I kicked the sheet off, lifted my feet off the bed and plugged out the alarm. She stood there awkwardly at the door as if waiting for me to invite her in. I ignored her and her smile faltered as she exited.

I approached my closet and took out a simple black bottom and a blue shirt. I stared at myself in the mirror, wondering how I ended up here. I was tired, so tired of it all. The same cycle every day with no change.

I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. After getting dressed I grabbed my notepad and pencil heading downstairs.

My father greeted me with a smile. "Good morning. How are you?"

It was painful watching every day as they tried to get me to talk to them. I rarely did as it always gave them too much hope. They didn't deserve hope. I gave him a nod, as I place my notepad down and sit for breakfast. My mother sits down by the table between my dad and I. We all begin to eat: nothing can be heard besides the clinking of forks on plates.

"So are you ready for today, pup? We found a new program to help with your... trauma."

I flinched at the word. This has been almost the twentieth program for them to try. It was unfair of him to do this and he didn't realize or didn't care. Why can't he accept me the way I am?

"Go trip over a knife." I mumble at them elegantly getting up and heading to my room.

"Journey! Don't be a disappointment like her." My father called after me.

"How can someone be a disappointment if they're dead!" I yelled back at him.'I've never fallen short when it comes to firing back at him.'

My room door closed with a bang. A nice touch to my 'teenage angst' if I may add. I quickly locked it, knowing what might happen in the next few minutes. I heard light footsteps on the stairs as I pack my book bag. It already had my hoodie, drinks, snacks,and other necessities.

"Journey. Sweetheart. Are you okay? He didn't mean it. We're sorry," My mother said.

Knowing it'd only be a matter of time before they found a key, I looked around my room for some must-haves. My phone for information and the such and my notepad that I always carry to write down important things.

"I put my wallet in my jeans pocket and open my window."

The window made a screeching sound. I heard frantic knocking and shrugged.

"Journey. Please don't do this again. I'm too sick for this. Your dad is coming with the key. Wait for us."

Don't bother I'm not coming back for a while. I wish I could say but I was too busy hooking my feet out the window.

As if she could hear me, she yelled out "Sweetheart you're gonna have a little sibling soon."

I paused, my foot on the emergency ladder and my bag next to it.

My eyes widened in anger. Our arguments and my runaways had become commonplace. An endless cycle that didn't seem as if it would change. And now they were trying to bring someone else into this dysfunctional family. I'd die before she did that. That demon did not have the right to bear a child they'd only come out like her a demon spawn.

"Y-You're lying to me." My eyes are pushed together trying to hold in the tears. "All these years you've told me you loved me and Astre and that it wasn't your fault she died. You're just trying to get me to come b-

I am grabbed and pulled back onto my bed. I look behind me to see my furious father. My heartbeat started to rapidly increase as I start breathing fast. 'I don't hear another word as the sound of my father's hand striking my cheek fills the room. Pain flashes through me again, and again. My eyes begin to lose focus, my eyelashes blocking my vision. I slowly welcome the pitch-black view. It feels as if I was in a fight to stay above water, the energy in my arms and legs giving out to water flooding my system.

"You little..."

I didn't hear the rest as I pass out my eyes slowly closing as I fall backward.

|Luna|

My nose awakened to the stench of cologne and new perfume. I assumed my mother has gone out again. My weary eyes focused on the clock on the ceiling of my room. I lied on the mattress of my bed. I wished I could stay in my "five-star rating" memory foam bed. But I had a busy schedule.

As I opened my window to let in fresh air, I observed the room. My bed lied in the corner messy and un-made, my mother would give me hell if I didn't fix that. Next to it was a small dresser with a very expensive and not needed lamp. My walk-in closet was in the next room over and a maroon carpet layed on the floor.

After fixing my bed I opened the door and shivers run up and down my body. I soon realized I would need to have more than a shirt and shorts. I get dressed in some Ralph Lauren blue jeans, a white shirt, a small brown jacket over it and some Lanvin white shoes I got for Christmas as a "don't say anything" gift. I wandered into the living room and immediately noticed the figure on the sofa who is definitely not my dad.

The couch was newly made a soft maroon color. Meaning my darling dearest mother was here and my dad wasn't. If I wanted to leave soon, I had to get the rest of my stuff. My backpack was in the next room the exit was in the main room.

The figure was probably my mom's latest fling after a night out drinking. He looks to be a man in his late 20s with an unkempt beard and sleepy eyes...

Wait. Eyes?

I noticed that the man had woken up and looked around. His eyes landed on me.

"What the hell are you looking at?" He said in a rough voice.

We both heard a noise from the kitchen. My mother stumbled in, tipsy but still standing, I stare in disgust.

The man got up to help her as she walked across the room to me.

"Did I hear you arguing with him? What have I told you about talking to my boyfriends?" She slurred,trying to grab my hair.

I backed away from her and ran into the room as the floor creaked.

"Luna!" She roared trying to get to me. I reached for a chair while holding the door. I heard banging and groans as she tried to open the door. I assumed the man was doing nothing to help. The door started to open a little as my fingers reached the edge of the wooden chair.

As I reached out the door, the banging stopped. I peeked out to see that she had taken a rest on the floor. I use this chance to run into the next room, skidding on the floor to grab my backpack. I quickly got up and ran through the kitchen to the main room. My mother was waiting there for me.

I quickly turned around only to see the man sitting in the kitchen watching closely. I won't be able to get through him in time if my mother warned him. I slowly approached my drunken mother as she blocked the door. I had an advantage. I didn't spend the night out drinking expensive wine or cheap booze.

My mother stood up, stumbling a bit. "Jo..Joi..hiccup Join us for dinner sweetie? I'd l-like for you to meet someone."

I gave her the best smile I could. "Sure, Mom. But it's morning time so breakfast...How about you go wait in the kitchen and I'll be right there."

She raised her eyebrow then began to struggle back to the kitchen. I heard pots and pans moving. I quickly dig out my keys and opened the door slowly, so she wouldn't notice. I'm pretty sure the man didn't care so I casually walk away from the house heading towards the gym.

I check the time. It was 10:30 a.m. I have to be at the gym by 11 am. I better hurry now! I got only thirty minutes left.