Carter's Beloved

Running From Your Dad

Unknown P.O.V

The hospital corridors were empty when I stepped inside. I lightly nodded at the sleepy receptionist, oblivious to who had sneaked inside. People carried on as usual, not paying any attention to me, I looked around and entered her room.

She lay helpless, clinging onto the last strings of life. I pity her, but I need to finish this. I stepped near her and watched her chest slowly rise and fall down. The surgery had ended hours ago, yet she would not recover for a long time. The poison might be out of her body, but not from her mind.

I took the syringe out of my pocket, look around once more to ensure no one is looking, and reached out to for the IV tube to envenom it. She had survived last time, but not this time.

I looked at her one last time, to see her last breaths, however, she was looking directly at me. I dropped the syringe in surprise and stepped back. Her face morphed into Lana’s, and I stood bewildered looking at her.

Their features mixed as if adding color to a bare canvas, I had lost all control and watched this masterpiece unfold. By the time I had gained control, I noticed she was thrashing around fully awake, trying to stand up.

I walked out quickly and did not look back till I was safely out of the hospital and on the street. That had been a narrow escape.

Madison P.O.V

Daniel kept a firm grip on my hip as I tried to stand up, all of my weight depending on him. It was the day I was being discharged. After a week of painful unsalted meals and nightmares, the doctors had let me go.

The police were looking for suspects and had labelled this case as attempted murder. Father visited me, but I acted as if I was sleeping. I wasn’t ready to face him with his fake love. I had become fragile like glass, I could keep a straight face but if you dropped me, I would break.

Daniel took me directly home, I observed that the security had doubled, and they guarded every opening. The porch was littered with flowers of many kinds. Carter stood awaiting me, I glanced at the bouquet of buckwheat flowers and rolled my eyes.

“Sit.” Daniel told me gently. The house had been cleaner than I left it. Maybe I should get attacked more so that people can clean up after me. I do not understand why I am being treated like a child, I just have to be careful.

“I have done my job. I need to go out of town for a few days, my parents are having issues again.” He shook his head and stared ahead. Daniel’s parents always had been on and off, and it was a pastime they let their problems stop affecting their son’s life daily.

“It’s okay, go. I’ll have Carter to help me around.” I say while reaching out for an apple. I had plans to take a trip around the city and see what is changed. The records store I used to visit was extraordinary., I met him there.

Daniel nodded and walked towards the door. He must have changed his mind at the last minute. He turned around with a stony expression on his face. I motioned him to go. When he left, I noticed the awkward situation I had been left alone in.

“Let’s go.” I proclaimed and stood up. I had left the hospital, wearing loose blue jeans and a plain white top. I had suddenly decided that I would visit the store. Hopefully, he took it as a hint out of many I would give him.

I don’t want him to find out who I am, yet I want to tease his curiosity by making him contemplate if he really knew me. I must have not understood the situation I was getting myself in.

“Where?” He asks confused, but I kept walking. I wanted to see the world which I had missed. I wanted to make up the time with him, even if he never knew it was actually me. I drove silently, praying that the store would be there where I had last seen it.

~Flashback~

I sat inside the small shop angrily waiting for him to arrive. It had been the 3rd time he had been late. I had asked him to be there at 3, yet it had been an hour and I was alone.

Why is he so careless? I had noticed he had been acting awkward around me these days. We had known each other since years, but I felt he perceived me pitying him.

I wished I could tell him my feelings before I left. I had up my mind long enough. The countless nights staring up at the ceiling of my room sleeplessly, while my dad humped women next door. I had severe childhood trauma, but he never understood and called me paranoid. I think he also noticed my discomfort from time to time when he came over.

Father spent too much time at bars rather than running the company. Whenever I asked him, he told me was living the dream life. I had decided to tell Carter about me running away.

He deserved that, no he deserved more than that as a last goodbye, but I could only offer this much. From the corner of my eye, I saw him climbing up the hill. I wanted to go back on my actions and never leave, but I must.

He hadn’t noticed me yet; I had to decide now or never. If I told him I was going, he would never let me go, I had to leave silently.

I looked back and left the shop the moment he entered. He was standing in front gazing at the shelves full of records; I walked from behind the counter and took the backdoor. Soon, I was out. I kept walking till I knew I was far enough. I looked at my bag and emptied it out in the nearest trash can.

The people continued to walk by me, giving me weird gazes as I threw my books, phone and credit cards into the trash can.