Finally, after what felt like an eternity of awkward silences, my mother cleared her throat and looked at me, “Sit down and eat. You’re not going anywhere.”
My bottom lip quivered, and I nodded quickly averting my eyes from her face.
“Preposterous.” My father grunted sitting back in his chair and beginning to eat his soup.
Helena turned away from me. It seemed she was too angry to even look at me. My mother was still watching me, her face perfectly peaceful.
“You know I’m right.” I began again.
I was sure that they agreed deep down that this was the safest choice for me to make, but of course no parent likes sending a child away for the safety of another.
“You’re not leaving.” Helena muttered, still not looking at me.
I was silent for a moment before muttering, “Eventually.”
“It’s dangerous out there Avalon.” My father had jumped to his feet again, slamming his hands down onto the table, making everyone jump. I watched as the wood smoked under his fingertips.
“I can look after myself.” I said defensively, “If anything you should worry about me hurting other people.” As I said those words I felt the glow of fire emanating from my mouth and lighting up the room. If I got any angrier I was sure molten lava would end up spilling from my eyes like tears.
He cursed under his breath and looked away. He knew I was right. I was perfectly capable of looking after myself.
“Kenneth.” My mother placed her hand over my father’s, oblivious to the heat radiating from him. She then turned to face me, “This discussion is over.”
I gaped at them angrily but decided arguing would not help my cause at all.
My father however, had not finished arguing this matter with me. He opened his mouth to speak, yet I saw my mother’s hand grip his tightly. It was obvious that she was indicating to him that it was the end of this subject.
I ate my meal slowly, savouring the taste. Helena didn’t talk at all, nor did she touch her food. My father was still sulking, though he ate without a fuss. When my bowl was empty, I heaved a sigh and I stood up from my chair. My family ignored me. They were mad.
Guilt rippled through me. If I left I was ripping a gaping hole into every one of their hearts. I watched them all, focusing on little characteristics that I didn’t want to forget about each of them. My sister was a tiny thing for her age, with wispy black hair. She was very frail looking. I tried to remember the way her smile reached her eyes. My mother was tiny also with a soft voice like velvet. Her thick chocolate hair was always pulled back into a messy bun, with tendrils falling around her face as she bustled around doing her daily things. My father wasn’t a tall or strong man, but he was very smart. Although he got quite easily mad. He often said things that were quite out of character for him, such as; ‘whoopsy daisy’ or ‘corking’. His mop of receding black hair was usually a mess.
I was a rather equal mix of both my parents. I had thick, wavy, black hair. I was short, slender, yet curved. Unfortunately I had acquired my mother’s ghostly pale complexion, as well my father’s dark circles around his eyes. It looked as though we had not slept for weeks. Though a trait only I seemed to have was a scattering of light freckles across my nose and cheeks. I hated them, but my mother said they were adorable. Mothers are supposed to say things like that.
I walked into the hallway and picked up my rucksack. Helena glared as she saw that I was ready to leave them so abruptly. I dropped it and kicked my bag all the way down the hall and back into my room where I shut the door and sat on the edge of my bed. I don’t know how long I sat there for, but darkness was gathering around me, and after a while I couldn’t see anything in my room anymore. My parents had left me to my thoughts, and I had sat there so long that night had fallen.
I hated what I was thinking, but it really was the only way. I waited until I heard my family go to bed. They did not bid me goodnight, as usual. For this I was grateful, it would be easier this way.
I waited at least another three hours, ensuring that my family were indeed asleep. Creeping from my bedroom I tiptoed down the hall towards Helena’s room. I slid in through the door and went beside her bed. She was sleeping rather deeply, her mouth lolling open. I felt guilty about what I was doing to do, but I knew in my heart it was the right thing. I bent down and kissed Helena lightly on the forehead. She stirred but did not wake. I crept silently from her room again, heading for my own when a floorboard behind me creaked. I spun around and Helena was standing in her doorway.
“Avalon?” She said confused. Her eyes were slits; red and puffy from sleep.
“It’s okay. I was just checking on you, go back to bed.”
“Why are you dressed still?” She muttered rubbing her eyes.