Enigma by Danielle Bannister

Author:Danielle Bannister [Bannister, Danielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danielle Bannister
Published: 2016-05-24T22:00:00+00:00

Gamble

I couldn’t go back to bed after Kyle ripped my heart out and tossed it aside so easily. I tried to convince myself it was for the best. After all, I wouldn’t be seeing him soon anyway. It was better for him to hate me. It would make leaving that much easier.

Back in my room, I switched my brain into auto pilot. I’d live, whatever hollow life there could be here until I was allowed to leave. I’d wake every day, breathe in and out and follow all the orders Brad wanted to dish out, then I would be free.

Pulling my gloves on, I went outside before the others had awoken, feed the chickens and collected about dozen eggs. It felt good to be outside. Peaceful.

The air still felt heavy, though. Dark clouds lingered in the sky, ready to let loose another storm. I worked quickly to pick some of the strawberries that had fattened up and placed them in the small basket that held the eggs.

Back inside, the kitchen was still quiet, so I tucked my gloves into my back pocket and washed the strawberries. In one of the cabinets, I found a cute bowl and placed them in the center of the table. I busied myself with making coffee, getting out a bowl for the eggs and setting out the bread for toasting; domestic things I wouldn’t be allowed to do soon.

Remember this. Remember it all. I knew this is what I’d miss the most: the semblance of a family—even if it was temporary and fleeting, I clung to it with every ounce of strength I had left in me.

Shortly after I had come inside, the sky turned dark and it started to rain. It didn’t look like it would let up soon so I couldn’t very well go out and garden to hide my wrists in work gloves. I frowned, wondering what I should do. My wrists were still pretty red, though far better than yesterday.

I rushed back to my room and found an oversized hoodie of Molly’s that hung long on my arms and covered my wrists very nicely. It even had those little thumb holes. It was perfect. I could still use my hands while keeping my wrists fully covered. I couldn’t help but wonder if the person who invented these had ever tried to slit their own wrists.

When I came back out, Al was there, smiling, filling his cup happily.

“Morning, Sunshine? You make this?” he said, lifting the cup up.

I nodded. It felt so good to have made him happy. It didn’t last.

Brad came in, yawning, still in his pajama pants and little else. He took one look at me, then the rain outside. I glanced down at the hoodie. His silent nod of approval confirmed that I had been relieved of punishment for not wearing those damned gloves.

Kyle came in shortly after that. I tried to apologize with my eyes, but he just gave me a small nod and said nothing while he made his coffee.

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