Gravity is everywhere. We stand, we climb, we follow it. Until you're falling. And I don't mean regular falling. I mean falling up. Up and out. Out and over.
Normal people, fall forward or backward, but either way they're going down. Some are already down. Not many people start down. But those very few who do fall out.
I am one who Falls Out.
Mother Antonia crawls in through the floor in the attic.
"Esme-Wren Deianira ... " she winced as she spits out my last name. "Ternent." My father has ruined it. He's not even my real father.
"It's Wings. Esme-Wren Deianira Wings." I say. " I'm not a part of his family." Mother Antonia nods with a look that says she knows exactly what I mean.
Terren, my sister, waits at the bottom of the steps.
"Wren!" She cries as she spots me.
"Jay!" I say hugging her. Terren-Jay Isla Corriveire is my best freind. We've known each other for as long as we've been in the sistem. The day we where born. January first.
"I'm getting adopted," I say quietly.
"Thats wonderful!" Jay speaks softly as a tear slips away from her eyes.
"No," I snap, "Ternent. Mr. Ternent. He's adopting me!"
"Thats not possible!" I glance around frantically. She blushes and lowers her voice again. "He's a mad-man, Esme-Wren... Rumour is he's been abusive to the Nebiern's children. His neighbours!"
I nod choking 'on that massively irritating lump threatening to make me cry.
"They'd never!" She whisper shouts.
"Terren-Jay, I know its hard. But they're running out of options for us older girls..." My voice trails off. We're using each other's real names. We never do that unless its very serious.
"Terren, I-" I throw my arms around her. We cling to one another like we'd never let go. Mother Antonia walks in awkwardly.
"Esme-Wren, Please pack up your things and meet Mr. Ternent downstairs." I see the pity in her eyes. This isn't her decision to make but I can see she's been trying to alter things. I see it in her face, her hair. I hear it in her breath, in the way she speaks. I nod slowly and creep my way gently down the old steps of the corridor.
The home is very old, and creaky, and when you step in certain places it makes a distinct squeak. I can memorize them all. The older girls and I always used to entertain the younger children with the music we could make. Jumping from one place to another, and listening to that cheerful, innocent laughter awakened hope in us who had lost it.
Mr. Ternent glowered at me.
"Come along, girl, you belong to me." He snaps, turning to leave. I lift my small pack and glance back at where I knew Terren-Jay would be watching, and smile a big fake smile just for her.
And for the last time in my life, I take a step towards the exit.
YOU ARE READING
Fall Out
General Fiction''Gravity is everywhere. We stand, we climb, we follow it. Until you're falling. And I don't mean regular falling. I mean falling up. Up and out. Out and over. Normal people, fall forward or backward, but either way they're going down. Some are al...
