chapter nine:
the perfect storm

    Charlie woke up from the loud sound of raining plastering down onto her roof. She rubbed at her eyes as she sat up from her bed. The room was dark making her feel uneasy as she grabbed the string from the lamp beside her.

She huffed slightly when it didn't turn on, the storm must've turned the power off. She pushed the blankets off her body as she looked outside.

She couldn't see much aside from rain, she rubbed at her legs slightly the dull ache in them new and fresh. Walking took a lot of energy now, but the doctor said once they get stronger it won't hurt.

She spent weeks without walking so it would take weeks for her legs to gain that strength back. She stood up wobbling slightly as she grabbed hold of her cane, it would be only he needed for a moment.

She walked into the hallway leaning into the wall to catch her breath. She tried listening for her mom but it was silent making her move into the kitchen.

She looked at the refrigerator grabbing the piece of paper that was new.

Went to the school to help with SATs, will be home late due to storm. Food in refrigerator for you, call if you need anything.

Charlie put the paper back and rubbed at her eyes. Her back ached making her wince as she leaned into the counter for a second.

When the pain disappeared she walked up the stairs going back into her room. She sat down letting herself relax before she neared her closet.

While she grabbed some clothes to shower in hopes it would help ease her discomfort. She didn't notice her window open and the figure sneaking into her bedroom while she stepped into the hallway.

She closed the bathroom door rubbing at her throat as she turned the water on. She set her cane beside the shower door before throwing her clothes into the hamper and steeping inside the shower.

The warm water soothed her flesh making her let out a breath of relief as she ran her fingers through her hair. The sound of a door opening made her opened her eyes she wanted to speak, to see if it was her mother.

But only the sound of a raspy crack left her lips, she was slowly working on getting her voice back. It was just taking a moment, she ignored the worry she felt, her mom was probably back and trying to get changed. It was raining pretty hard outside.

Jack was at a friends house, it could be possible he came home early due to the storm. Charlie ran her fingers along her back wincing at the sting of it.

The doorknob turned slightly, the lock twisting itself open. Charlie grabbed shampoo coating it into her hair unknown of the person standing in front of the shower watching her.

She closed her eyes humming weakly to herself as she scrapped at her scalp. The shower door opened, the cold air flowing inside making her shiver.

It was an old door, and had the habit of opening all the time whenever someone showered. It always pissed off her mother. The woman said she'd get it fixed but she didn't get around to it yet.

Charlie pushed the door shut but it stopped and smacked into something. She opened her eyes huffing in annoyance as she moved forward and pushed her cane out of the way.

She heard a door open "sweetie I'm home! They rescheduled the SAT's! Just came to get Jack a coat I gotta pick him up real quick before it gets worst".

Charlie's eyes widen when fingers wrapped around her mouth. She heard the door shut her breathing was heavy panic slipping into her body.

She acted fast and sent her head flying back into the persons nose making them yell out and let her go. She winced as she pulled the shower door open grabbing a towel it wrapping around herself before fleeing towards the doorway.

She held onto her cane tightly as she limped down the hallway. "Charlie!" the voice was dark and bounced off the walls making her cry.

She neared the stairs a strangled sound escaping her lips as she was pushed down the stairs. She blinked rapidly her vision blurry as she crawled forward.

She could hear loud footsteps trailing down the steps making her cry as she neared the door. She reached her hand upwards wincing at the pain in her back as she twisted the doorknob.

It burned, a squeak left her lips the blade that jabbed into her back burned. Her hand fell downwards as she cried out.

The blade left her flesh and she kicked whoever hovered above her. She felt the knife fall towards the ground as she pushed herself into the door.

She ignored the pain as she grabbed the knife and stabbed the persons hand. They yelled out as they swung at her, she moved out the way just in time.

She forced herself off the ground whimpering as she limped towards the kitchen. If she was fast enough she could slip out through the back door.

She let out a loud yelp when she was thrown over the kitchen counter. Her body slammed into the floor harshly making her groan.

The sound of the door opening made the person run out of the back door. "Charlie? I brought you some food, your mother said she got stuck on the road. Apparently some tree fell and now she's gotta wait for it to be moved".

Hanna looked at the floor frowning at Charlie's cane that laid on the ground. Hanna walked up the stairs finding the bathroom door wide open.

She walked inside turning the water off she felt worried as she walked into the girls room. It was a mess, everything was on the floor.

The drawers were open her window was open and rain slowly blew inside. Hanna looked at the big bolded A on the wall and she ran down the stairs.

"Charlie!" she let out a breath of relief when she spotted the girl in the kitchen. She kneeled down gripping the girls face "Charlie!".

The girl opened her eyes weakly, Hanna grabbed the kitchen towel off the counter and pressed it against Charlie's wound. "This is my fault, I should've been here with you.. I thought if I was gone for just a little bit it'd be okay".

Hanna sighed sadly as Charlie leaned into her shoulder. It was silent for a while until the door opened and Charlie's mother appeared.