Bloody Driveway

The rain was light, bringing a haze to the freshly cut backyard. I slowly pulled my shades down, taking in my surroundings as best I could.

"Bobby, can you come in here? I need to talk to you, now."

"On my way, dad." I said. I turned off the dim light in my room, for the last time.

There were papers scattered all over my living room floor. The book I had checked out earlier was lying on the floor. Pages had been ripped out, even the spine collapsed from the damage. He knew.

"What the hell is that book doing in my house? Is it yours? I know it's yours." he stammered. His glare was deep, I could feel him burning the back of my retinas.

"Dad... please!"

"Shut up! Explain this damn book to me now!"

My father tore the plastic coating off of the book. He then spit on the book, and threw it backwards onto the carpet. I tried to jump down to catch it, but his foot was jammed in my stomach. He pushed me back onto the couch with the force of a man wearing an army boot.

"Don't you fucking move. Now, Mr. Atheist, what's your story?!"

I was almost too weak to even cry, though my face was as wet as the grass outside. "I don't care what you say to me! I don't believe in your imaginary God anymore!" I couldn't believe I had yelled so loud. My throat swelled up and choked me.

"What the hell did you just say to me?" My father's face was a light purple. His eyeballs were popping, something I had never seen before. "Get out of my house, now." By now, the house had reacted. My stepmother Genni, another devout Catholic in our family, had come rushing into the room. She tried to ask a question, but I never heard her finish it

My father must have heard her, as he was not hesitant to answer her question. "Ya, we got a hellbound boy right here. By the way, I need to dispose of this shit." He tore open the door, breaking the chain lock.

I felt my face hit the pavement, my bloody nose leaving a stain on the chipping asphalt. I lay there for a moment, not knowing what to do. I would have stayed there, had my father not kicked me onto the grass.

"Get your ass off of my property. Now!"

I hobbled down the driveway, stumbling every few steps. There was a pool of blood on the grass, trailing all the way to my footsteps. Bloody noses were common for me, for my iron deficiency was horrible. Although, this was a new level. I could not breathe out of my left nostril, and my right was a runny faucet. Not until that moment did I realize it had started raining again. I looked up, and fell to my knees.

I was woken up by a soft hand. It was bony, and I recognized the black fingernails. My stepsister Kayla. An angel in a world without. I could barely see her, the night sky was devoid of any stars. She had a blinding light, which I saw was a flashlight. She also carried a box of tissues.

"You might need these."

"What?"

"When you're going back to your mom's house. It's dark out, and your nose might bleed again."

I started to cry, and although my shirt had bled through, I hugged Kayla. It was a sort of grab, I was so weak I could barely stand. She pulled me up, and gave me the flashlight. She whispered something to me.

"They said to leave you out here, but I couldn't. I'm one too."

"Really?"

"Yes. Good luck." She waved at me, covering her tears.

I saw the porch light flick off, and I sat on the sidewalk. I cleaned my nose, and washed my face as best I could. I stood up, and walked into the hazy light of the avenue ahead. I looked back once, and kept on walking.