The Dark: Chapter Nine

So what if you have a little trouble navigating the stairs? Its not like youve forgotten how to walk. Its really not that bad you know. It really isnt. You are quite capable of going to the bathroom by yourself. You have been doing it for years. and nothing has really changed except for the fact that yo have a stupid cast on your leg and a pair of crutches to keep you company. but you can handle that. Youve dealt with alot worse. Remember that summer when your foot got crushed by an SUV?
But inspite of your best arguments your mother insists that if she let you go by yourself she will only worry. and she's tired of worrying. She's done enough worrying to last her a lifetime. And so letting out an exasperated sigh you let your mother act as your personal escort. Talk about a lack of privacy.
Understandabley, it takes you twice as long as usual to do your business knowing you mother- your Mother for pete's sake is standing right outside the door like youre friggin five or something.
Washing your hands and drying them on a hand towel you stare at yourself in the mirror. Almost all the swelling has gone down and your face isnt as mishapen and discolored as it was before but you know you are never going to look the same. The doctors said that they tried their best to twist your nose back into place but you can already see that it is going to heal crooked. The place where it broke as clear as a hot summer's day. But thats not the only thing. There is something else. Something in your eyes. Something that wasnt there before. Its as if there is someone else staring out at the world from them. Youre still there but so is someone else. The lights are on but youre not the only one home.
There is a knock on the door, dispelling all your thoughts.
"Is everything Okay in there?" Its your mother.
"I'm fine." you call back.
After one last lingering glance at yourself, you hop to the door and jerk it open.
Your mother's forehead kneeded with concern, she hands you the crutches without saying a word.
"I'm fine." You repeat and taking the crutches you head for the stairs with your mother in toe.
You negotiate the stairs carefully, your mother lending you a guiding hand here, a word of encouragement there and the more than occasional "almost there." in an attempt to calm your nerves. Inspite of your complaints, youre thankful she's there.
It's not long before you need to take a break and so letteing your mother know, you stop on the landing a little more than half way down to catch your breath.
As tiny beads of sweat break out on your forehead, you feel the three pairs of eyes below peer up at you. You dont have to look at the owners to know what they are thinking.
Pity. Sympathy. And in the case of your father; Guilt. And if their stares could be translated into words they would be saying something like "Poor kid, no one should have to go through that."
"But I dont want your pity!" you feel like screaming at them. But you dont. You cant and so instead you silently take in their silent stares. Trying your best to concentrate on the task at hand: catching your breath. The awkward silence of the moment however, forces you to get moving before youre ready to and so by the time youre sitting safely in your seat again youre virtually heaving.
Your mother brings you another glass of iced lemonade before you have a chance to ask. You thank her as she sets it down on the side table next to you. After a few sips you feel alot better and about ready to talk. As if sensing this Dective Gervaldi clears his throat. As if on cue his partner, a small, bird like woman with thin and drab hair, thick rimmed glasses and a suit that appears two sizes too big sets down her glass of lemonade and pulls out a small notebook.
You know what is coming next.
"Are you ready to continue?"
You exchange quick glances with your parents. They both nod their heads in encouragement. Turning to face Gervaldi you nod your own.
Consulting the notebook his partner has held out for him to read, Gervaldi is silent for a moment. Then looking up from it he clears his throat again.
"Okay. Now tell me what happened once the three of you left the party."