Chapter Three

"Ha!" I shouted to myself, as I had finally finished packing everything I needed in my very tiny book-bag. I had even made a list of all the things I was going to bring with me on my little -journey- of a new life. I had an idea on where I wanted to go. It was a small place in a horrible part of town, about eight hours away.  That was the catch though, eight hours away by car.

I could only imagine how long it would take by foot. Not to mention I wasn't the most fit sixteen year old out there. In fact, I fully admit that I'm lazy.

But, I knew it'd be worth it. It was a refuge home for women with abusive family members, first of all, I could easily pass on as eighteen, and second; I wasn't abused, but they didn't have to know that.

"I hope to God this damns you to hell, Gerard." I still spoke to myself as if he were in the room, "You deserve it."

Just as I was playing God, and damning his dark soul to the deep depths of hell, hoping that it would work, I heard a knock at my door. I squeaked, as I quickly grabbed the bag full of my runaway items, and stuffed it under my bed. 

"Uhh- What?" I walked over to my door, and opened it. It was Mariah. We locked eyes for a moment, before she spoke up.

"What are you speaking in here?"

"Huh?"

"You were speaking all alone. Are you lonely child?"

"Nothing- I was saying nothing, and I am not lonely."

She gave me a very obvious 'I don't believe you' look.  Which bothered me slightly. God, what if she went snooping into my room when I was away? 

Shit shit shit. I need a better hiding spot.

"Well, your father hasn't seen you since the night you two argued. Your stubborn ass needs to get out of this room. I think you can go say hello to him before he has to leave tomorrow."

"Nah." I took a step backwards. "I'd rather never seen him again, thanks."

"I will drag you out of this room!"

"I will call child abuse!"

"You are no child, you are are monster in human form, even child abuse activists would want you to be slayed!" 

"And who raised me to be this way?"

"Yourself. Now get downstairs, lunch is ready anyway."

I gave up, not even bothering to defend myself. I knew she would never allow me to stay up here. Whatever she wanted me to do, she always made me do it.

I walked down stairs and into the dining room where my father was sitting. He had papers sprawled out all across the table. I figured they were rather important as he was reading one copy, and signing a few others all at the same time.

He didn't even notice that I had walked in.

"Here." Mariah set some food on the one spot on the table that didn't have any papers on it. "Eat lots you skinny girl." It was then my father realized I was in the room. 

I sat down where Mariah had placed the plate of food, and glared at my father. We held eye-contact, as if mentally battling one another on who will look away first. He narrowed his eyes, and I did the same.

 Mariah walked in and realized what we were doing. She sighed, "If you two do not get along I will fire myself."

My dad looked away, and over at Mariah. Haha! I win! "How could you fire yourself? I have fallen in love with you. I'd die wallowing in my own depression."

She snorted, "If I only attract men like you then I should just kill myself now."

I laughed at that one, receiving a glare from my father.

"Don't laugh, you stupid girl, my life is only pathetic because I have to babysit a heathen like you."

And my dad laughed at that, which was my turn to shoot him a glare. It was strange though, it was like the argument me and my father had a few nights ago didn't even happen. Things are back to usual, but I still had the feeling like my father was just as tense as I was.

Something just didn't feel right.

I ate in silence. My father went back to doing whatever paperwork he was doing, and I watched him. He glanced up at me a few times, catching me staring at him, and just rolled his eyes as if I were completely annoying. He really knew how to piss me off.

"You are such a girl, you know that?" I said, as I took another bite of my food.

"Well, I was born male, you were born female, a demon spawn. Don't insult yourself like that. As your father I don't agree with it."

Damn his comebacks were one hundred percent better than mine ever will be. Not that I'm complimenting him or anything. But shit, why didn't I get that gene from him?

I gave him a dirty look, and he smirked knowing that he beat me that easily.

"So you have no plans on coming home early, during this trip, right?"

"Why does it matter?"

"I'm just asking."

"Well, it's none of your business."

"It is, because you are my father and I should know this stuff."

"We both know that is bullshit, Aria, what do you really want?" 

What I really want is for you to stay gone for as long as possible so I can have a generously huge head start on my escape plan. 

I sighed, "Never mind."

This was not going very well. It never did when I tried to spark some sort of conversation with him. Pathetic, really. When I tried to speak to him, he'd always dis me with sarcasm, and when he tried to speak with me, I'd do the same. 

Fate just didn't want us to bond, and I was partially okay with that. It's not like I was going to live with him forever. 

In fact, I'll be moving out way quicker than time has planned for me.

Now, I just have to plan a certain day to go.