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"Ready?"

"Not Yet,"

"Hurry up!"

"Umm... yeah."

I hurriedly packed my bag as Dad shrieked from behind. I shuddered from head to toe with hopes of winning the Annual School Music Competition. A sudden fright of making a fool of myself at this very big event gripped me hard, I wondered what would happen since I had hardly done anything yesterday night except learning the notes. Didn't get any time to practice more.

Though I was getting really late since we had to leave our house. The very house I spent the fifteen years of my life in, the last five of which spent without any love.

The house looked impressive despite the fact that it demanded the care of a mistress.

It had been built with white pine wood and had white pine wooden intricate decorations which, were once etched by my mother, who was a wood sculptress. She died two years ago when my father whacked her head hard on a wooden table she made, primarily because they didn't get along, and secondly because I was his main problem. He was really furious since the day mother gave me birth, but my foolish eyes never recognised why.

I recognised my true value only when, when I heard him talking to Mr. Miller, our family lawyer about what should be done to me once I turned eighteen. I was of no use in making money when I was fifteen, so I could be sold to Aunt Evelyn, his wife, once I was of the desired age.

Nevertheles, my mother had bled to death in front of the eyes of her ten year old bundle of joy, screaming and begging for help when I hid myself in a corner, weeping miserably. I don't remember well how I spent the next few nights when my father was busy finding bail for himself.

He got it, anyway. He and his lawyer decided that I must be kept under wraps and should be shown to the society as a child well-beloved by his father and that the death of my Mum was just an accident. He also allowed me to attend school, and indulge myself in certain other activities like singing, which I was really passionate about. Probably, he did so to show that he loved me despite whatever happened.

—✴—

“Mr. Wilson, I assure you that Lynn will leave no stone unturned to take good care of Dani.”

“I believe you, afterall she's of no use.”

“Agreed. But Mr. Wilson, just a curious question,” he said cunningly, “Why didn't you just finish your daughter... erm... off the day Mrs. Wilson died?”

“Mr. Miller, that's a long story.” Tension lit up the atmosphere. “Maybe we can discuss it off later. Let's discuss the money meanwhile, shouldn't we?”

“Sure, why not?”

And, My future laid before me. A girl couldn't have been more terrified. But my habit of evesdropping really helped. Perhaps I could run away? I don't know.

—✴—

Small, triangular windows let in plenty of light to the house in a mostly asymmetric way. I stopped for a second to stare out of the window. It was a beautiful day, with the sun spreading it's golden yellow everywhere, melting and astonishing everything that came it's way, yet soothingly ablaze. The sky couldn't be more blue, representing mirth that may come, or may not. I could see the cherry vines not a couple of metres away, and I could also sense the anticipation of the stage, which called me to stand upon it, and sing to my heart's desire at my first stage show. Because I didn't want to miss the adventurous and happy moments of my wretched life despite my possible future.

I was feeble enough to do as Dad said, and pondering over everything... I hurriedly carried my legs down the stairs towards the car which was already waiting for me. I was a bit confidant of myself, which I used to try not to shed any tears while he was sitting beside me.

The car sped away from the house, and I clenched my fist over my little scarlet suitcase. That was when I finally realised we were just outside the gates of my gigantic school, an old one— with it's tiny basements being the only place I found salvation in.

In not more than ten minutes, I was backstage, while Daddy sat on one of the many chairs of the auditorium, to be greeted by people who had probably spent half of their lives whirling around him, trying to please him. I signed as I heard my name being called.

I entered the stage assuming the pleasantest expression possible. I opened my lips and cleared my throat, trying not to notice him. I began.

—✽—

“Dani, you better not step out, okay?” He said with a tone of urgency in his masculine voice.

“Sure Dad.” I said while I felt restlessness burning inside me. The event was already over. And my heart pumped fast as I heard a loud round of applause from the supportive audience, just noticing one man who seemed cross and had crossed him arms over his chest too. I knew who the man was.

However, I didn't expect even any consolation prize. But keep that talk for future.

Anyway, now, Dad had a astounding yet cunning grin on his face, which widened when we neared this stylish house. It has been built with walnut wood and had pavements and stairs made of granite. I looked out of the window to arouse my concern regarding the place I was being taken to.

The area was very noisy, and no sooner did I realise that it was our city's famous marketplace, Dad dashed out of the car slamming the car door behind him, glaring at me.

“I'll be arriving in five minutes.” He said and left.

I looked around, there wasn't anyone in the car except this lazy driver who was busy enough smoking a cigar to notice me. I stopped panicking.

I gazed out of the glass window, noticing the many similarities between the window's plight and my life. Both transparent enough to watch the world's euphoria, but I surprisingly couldn't step out of it to know more. I just couldn't.

As I looked at the busy street, my glances immediately downed upon a little girl of probably six years, with a really innocent face, a delicate pink tingeing her cheeks and her lips. Her hair was a wonderful combination of golden and brown, which was loosely folded into locks, obviously better than my own, which were of a faded rusty brown colour, covered with dust and haze. She quietly stood in the corner formed by two shops and to my ultimate shock, she was weeping.

I gave one final look to the driver, when he showed no clear signals of moving, I quickly came out of the car and walked towards this girl briskly, trying to smile with concern. She somehow sensed my arrival, and as I neared her, her face clearly showed her trepidation. I opened my mouth to enquire.

“Hi?”

No reply. But I got to see some crystals, pearls, whatever, falling miserably down her cheeks.

“Anything happened young girl?” I asked. “Tell me dear.”

“Ugh, no... nothing... sorry.” She tried to move away, taking two back steps.

I... in an urge to stop her, caught hold of her hand tightly. She was startled, but watching the look in my eyes, echoing the pain we both shared— she rested her second hand over mine. I felt the warmth.

“Maybe I can help ye out? Tell me, it won't hurt,”

“Leave!” she said. “You won't understand...” she screamed, pushing me away, forcing me to leave her, rush away. But I tried to comfort her, calming her down.

“But why?” I insisted. “Please?”

“Whosoever I told my story, never did.”

For a moment, I realised the matter is serious. But immediately, I discarded my imagination. Maybe it was something like— she lost a toy, couldn't find a way back home... but watching her again, I thought to listen.

“Go on, marmalade, everyone isn't like me, right?”

She opened her mouth to speak. I was still convinced it musn't be anything severe. Still, I was all ears when... she horrified me with her words which pricked my heart sharper than poisoned needles could do— aghast and trepidated, full of claustrophobic thoughts.

“I've been abandoned,”

“Aband— what?”

“My father didn't want me in the house, he said he had troubles making me live, finding me food... so it was better for me to die,”

“Aa... and, your Mum... Mumma?” I wondered how on earth was I able to finish my sentence.

“She—” she couldn't finish her sentence, and wiped her heavy sore eyes on the tattered sleeves of her shrunk and old dress.

I was trying to remember how to breathe, how to speak, how to dare to look into her eyes, which spoke volumes about that single word, yet remaining silent. Her hands which were resting on mine, felt stiff... a sudden dread hit the core of my heart. My senses, being unable, unable to react to what the girl must be undergoing. Something in my eyes terrified the girl, forcing me to loosen my grip, and she immediately withdrew her hand, knowing that I'm not going to listen to her any further.

Well, was whatever I heard, the truth? No, not at all.

Her shaky voice— soft, tortured and frustrated, blurted out, “Leave, just leave me alone! I told you! Didn't I? I told you ye won't believe me, and look! I'll die alone, leave me!”

Tears burst forth onto her face like river water, her cheek muscles trembling, and realising that there's absolutely nobody left to believe her, and she let out a heavy sigh. She receded back, just like a river, and hit the wall backwards while I stood silently. She broke down completely, her body bending to rest on her knees, while she let out low moans of disbelief and restlessness while leaning back against the cold brick wall.

I felt the same she felt, she anticipated belief, and someone who could lift her up from her miseries. Probably she have had a more wretched life than me, most probably. Being abandoned at the age of eight was certainly something I hadn't expected and experienced.

The mere thought was shuddering my mind. Still, I anticipated love, and someone who could help me from being sold to a place which I would never get to know. Like fishes, who never know which bait they'll get trapped into.

“I— can't,”

She stood there will waiting helpless eyes still sitting there by the wall, staring deep into mine, which were void and shrieking with thoughtfulness. I felt the stinging trepidation of story being repeated. Why are the destiny's designs stern and cruel, always?

“I... let me see what I can do darling,” I spoke with difficulty.

She showed signs of approval and rested her head to her side, hoping whatever she could hope. But that was false hope. What could've a sufferer, doomed by the circumstances done, to help another one suffering nearly, exactly the same torture. A nearly abandoned life, trying to save a abandoned one.  We anticipated miracles. We anticipated help.

Suddenly, the sound of muffled noises tore apart the surreal silence of our wait. Footfalls approached us, of heavy metalled boots, and I forgot all our miseries in the blink of an eye. Dad was here. Oh no.

I glanced quickly towards the girl. With her chin buried in her legs, she was looking at me with two wonder-waiting, glistening eyes. And I couldn't believe what I did next.

My legs gave a start. I turned to grab the knob of the car as quickly as possible. If father would've had seen me like this, he would've ensured that I don't see the sunshine from the next morning.

“I— I have to go... I'm so so sorry,”

My lips trembled like a dry autumn leaf, whirling with the wind as I spoke. She didn't say anything. She just, turned her face away. I knew that move was, out of disgust, of hatred, towards the people who couldn't help her anticipation die— including me.

I pulled the knob and slammed the car door shut. No sooner did I shut it, Dad hustled towards the car. I let out a sigh of relief, my heart squealing inside. He glanced at me sternly, examining me from head to toe, and when he was convinced nothing was wrong with my shallow breathing or puffed nose, red with sorrow— he decided we should go. But, the girl! I tried to glance out of the window for a look, but nonetheless, we were speeding away fast, and away from the marketplace.

We reached home in about an hour, and I was away from everything now, the busy hustle of the world, the happiness surrounding the hearts of people— and that girl. I deciphered it would be best not to give a thought about her, she would figure her own way out. Certainly she would. Reassuring myself about a thousand times, I returned to my pathetic life.

I woke up with a start, sweating profusely. The events of yesterday night's dream flickered through my mind like a reel of a faded film.

Blood spread everywhere while some nasty creatures were busy biting into my skin, terrifying me from within, setting my skin ablaze. I was aghast as I heard the deafening cries— tearing down through my ears and as I approached further, a lump formed into my throat, I saw a vaguely mutilated body and suddenly someone pounced...

I woke up, terrified like hell. But then, I was back to the extremities of life. The same small, rectangular windows letting in plenty of light to the house in a mostly asymmetric way. I stopped for a second to stare out of the window. It was a beautiful day, just like yesterday, with the sun spreading it's golden yellow everywhere, melting and astonishing everything that came it's way, yet soothingly ablaze. The sky couldn't be more blue, representing mirth that may come may not come. I could see the cherry vines not a couple of metres away, and I could also sense the anticipation of the dreams which had already died away, muffling into the silence, compelling me to forget the past.

Everything was so like yesterday, but my eyes couldn't help but just stare at the difference I made yesterday, destroying my today.

“Dani!”

No no no no no no. Not again! I jumped out of my bed. I heard pounding fast. “Where's the newspaper?!”, he asked.

“I'll bring it right away Dad.”

I went to the door and slid my hand inside the letter-box. I took out the paper, yawning. I was in desperate need of a sleep. I glanced at the headlines and expecting the usually same boring and ugly news. Suddenly, something caught my attention and my eyes widened in surprise at a bunch of capitalised words, and I shook in disbelief.

The feeling was so terrible I felt I might just puke.

That was only when I felt a hand suffocating my throat, the paper still in my hands. The hand's grip became tighter and tighter, and before I could turn and look to who the hell was that hand's owner— everything was black.

And that was the time when I breathed my last. Finally, our anticipations were over.

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+ For the first time in forever, I wrote a story!

+ NaNoWriMo's First Day!
- 2600 words so far.