Defiance

I sat there on the floor rigid as cars and people began to appear from thin air, first a fading transparent image whizzing past then a completely solid bodies of cars and pedestrians.

   Wait they were here the entire time?  Why hadn’t they helped?

   Well maybe because you look like a nut job talking to shadows.

   Yeah that’s definitely it. It’s been a long night I need to go home before my parents find out I sneaked out. My leg muscles ached and so did my feet. It was a challenge just to walk home.

   Why couldn’t I just sit there on the floor? It was much more comfortable. Sure I looked like a homeless person but whatever. I finally reached my front porch and slipped the key out from under the front door mat.  I set the key in the lock and turned it slowly so it wouldn't make noise. 

 

   All my efforts were put to waste as soon as I pushed the door open. It made a loud groan on rusty hinges. The light flickered on and I know for sure I didn't touch the light switch. I looked in the direction of the sofa where I could feel my parent's presence. 

 

"Sit down!" My father yelled. 

 

   "Hugh calm down" My mother soothed the wild beast that was my Dad. 

 

   "Where were you!"  My father questioned in the loudest voice he could muster. 

 

   "Hugh calm down you'll wake the neighbors" My mother said calmly. 

 

   "I will not calm down; I have not spent sixteen god damn years protecting my daughter for her to throw it all away!" My dad yelled at my mom.  

 

    This made my mother quit talking completely. She went mute when I needed her most. 

   

   "Where were you?" My father asked crossing his arms over his chest. 

"I was jogging around the block" I said and sighed. 

 

    "And what have I told you about going outside without permission?" he questioned. 

 

     "You want to know what you've told me dad, I'll tell you what you've told me!" I yelled. 

"You've told me that the world is filled with dangerous people and dangerous things and horrible things happen in it, but you never bothered to tell me about the wonderful and the kind people there are, or the beautiful  things that happen in it. No you only see the bad side, that's all you see dad!” I yelled at him. 

 

"How come you don't understand, how come you don't get that what were trying to do is..." 

 

"No dad you don't understand!" I yelled and ran up the stairs to my room. 

 

"Young lady come down here right now!" 

 

"No!" I yelled as I shut the door and locked it with a bolt. 

 

   When I turned around I saw the hollow eyes of the shadow people on my walls. the leader of the council with his trench coat and top hat was standing there plastered to my wall. 

 

   "Are you ready to leave?" the shadow asked. 

 

I took a deep breath and answered shakily. 

 

"Yes"