Twisted

Cut Bank, Montana -November 13,2014

Bitter wind whipped my hair across my face as I waited in the icy snow  for her to meet me. I could hear nothing but the whistling of the wind and the crunch of ice of my black UGGs. I gaze at a snowlogged pine tree, waiting to see some sort of movement to prove there was something living in this ice wasteland. As the overcast clouds shift, I see the frozen sun move farther over the horizon, telling me I won't be able to wait much longer.Spying a loose thread on my raven black coat, I pick at it to pass the time, concentrating on that one snagged loop.Finally, i hear a raven call, proving that I am indeed not alone. The raven perched itself on the pine tree and as it watched over me, i felt a warm, protective glow settling over my body. I spot a sleek black vehicle approaching the driveway and i shift in my coat, wanting a better view of the passenger seat. All the warmth in body immediatly slips from my body when she steps out of the car, and suddenly feel uncomfortable in my seared skin. My stiff body doesn't let up as she pulls me in a cold embrace, and with tears in her eyes says,"I'm sorry I hurt you."

 Cut Bank, Montana-October 7,2010

I saw the picture before I felt what was going on. Me, my mouth hanging in a silent 'O' of horror.Ava's mouth was turned up in a malicious grin, eyes full of sick amusement. I feel the heat of her body close to mine, and then the searing of my flesh. I shriek in an inhuman voice as she cackles joyfully at the sight my my arm. "Whats wrong with her? When she's on her meds, things like this don't happen."   I think as I scramble away, attempting to get off the ground. I grip the couch arm, hoisting myself onto the couch. I feel as if someone has injected Icy Hot into my bloodstream. From the corner of my eye I witness a highly unpleasant sight: Ava stumbling towards me wth the steaming clothes iron in her scraped hand. I see a flurry of wallpaper and find that I locked myself in the bathroom, Ava banging on the door, wanting to be let in."As if I'd really let her in, " I thought. "You can't hide in there forever Ivy!" she exclaims, seeming to be happy with the current arrangement. I hear her plop down on the floor beside the door. "I'm sorry Ivy, I really am." she says in an almost flat tone. " You know I didn't mean to do it. I never do."

'She needs stronger meds,' I think mutely, aimlessly pacing the cramped bathroom. I finally finally jump on the counter, and do what i alwas do; start from basic facts, clear my head.  My name is Ivy, I am 14 years old. I live in Cutbank ,Montana. I was born on November 11,1996. OK more important facts now. I am burned, badly, Ava needs serious help. I cannot cover for her anymore, nor can my parents. Well this is just lovely. I dropped my cell phone during the struggle, so i have no way to contact anyone, nd my parents are supposed to be out for 2 more hours. I can't just sit in the bathroom until they get home. I glance at the little window above the toilet and before I realize it I am working at the locks and pulling it up. I grab the ledge and pulled myself on the window sill. Next I shimmy my torso through the window. I scrape my hips but other than that, getting through the window was no hard task.

Ignoring my burning hand,I jog over to the neighbors house and try not to look too beat up. An elderly couple answer the door and gasp at what they see.  I try to imagine how their mind saw me. Probably a girl with straight long blonde hair, chocolate eyes. A person that could be beautiful if not for all the scars, bruises, and burns all over her body. Nonetheless, they invite me in and care to my wounds as I make up some story about ironing clothes, tripping and landing with an iron on my arm.The man looks up with understanding, then runs to get more bandages. The woman however watched me with steely eyes, then lets my gaze go. After they finished wrapping me with bandages, the man added ice for good measure. The woman -whos name I found out was Helen- called my parents to inform them of the 'accident' and they showed up minutes later.

My parents rushed me to the hospital to find that I was fine, but I should take a little vacay from school. After the doctor exited, my mom timidly walked toward the little  chaise, clasped my hand, and asked the hardest question I think I've ever had  to answer. "Did Ava do this to you?" I could see in her eyes all she wanted me to say was no. But I couldnt lie to her, not about this."Yes."That simple answer is when all hell broke loose. My mother crumpled to the floor, racked with sobs. My father dropped to the floor to comfort her while a few silent tears streamed down his cheek. We said nothing as we checked out of the hospital, got in the car, and started home.  Finally i broke the silence saying,