Lost Shadow (Lost: Book 1)

Two

Slaughter

Luka
       My alarm blared and I turned it off. Slaughter stretched beside me and I groaned as my back popped. I was still sore from yesterday, but my bruises were mostly gone. I just had a couple on my stomach, my 6 pack was dotted with purple and blue. After I let Slaughter out I got in the shower. Once I got out I pulled on black skinny jeans, my black converse, a black hoodie, and a black studded belt. I pulled my hood up and left my room. I grabbed an apple and let Slaughter back in. He ran to my room and laid on my made up bed. I smiled and grabbed my book bag. After I rubbed his head, he licked my fingers. Can't Stand It rang through my ears as I walked to school. The bell was about to ring so I all but ran to my class. My mind wondered as I sat there. How would my life be if mom were still alive? I felt a spitball hit my head. Really? I huffed silently and continued my work. I was pushed out of my chair and I sprawled out on the floor. I grabbed my things and ran to the roof. Dark clouds were headed this way.
        The rain splattered the roof and soaked my clothes but I didn't move. The rain soothed me and washed away my anger, pain, and sadness. Dance With The Dead by Get Scared ran through my head. I found myself humming along. A lightning bolt flashed across the sky and I found myself dancing to the music. A smile found its way to my lips as I danced to the music. The song ended and I was panting softly, my muscles hummed to the lingering beat. I walked back inside and shook like a dog. My mind wandered as I headed to my next class. The smile was gone and I walked into the locker room. I pulled my soaked hoodie off and threw it in the dryer, along with the rest of my clothes. I pulled on my blue gym shorts and a white hoodie, my version of the gym uniform. The teachers have tried to get me to wear the actual uniform but I won't. I pulled my hood up and tied the laces to my white converse. The rest of the students walked in, I headed to the back of the gym and stood in the shadows, leaning against the wall. Eventually, everyone came in and the teacher told us to run around to warm up. I walked, my headphones over my ears, New Years Day by Black Veil Brides singing to me softly.
~~~
       My body fell to the floor from the force of the push, snickers and laughter surrounded me. I could feel the same force in me, something was coming. It was dark and powerful, simmering under the surface. A kick landed on my back and I stood. He was there and he punched me in the face. My head snapped back and I rocked on my feet. It was getting closer. "Hey knock it off Kingston." They stopped and I felt my sanity come back, it's getting harder to control.
         After an hour I scrambled back into the locker room after everyone else had left. I grabbed my clothes and pulled them, now dry, back on. My nerves calmed at the familiar feel of them on my skin. School was over so I walked home. Slaughter met me at the door and I kissed his soft fur. "Come boy," I said heading to my room. My door was open, I immediately was on alert. Nothing was on the floor but I could tell someone was here, the curtain was partly open letting in some light, enough to light the room and my desk drawer was partly open. The latch on my wall shelf wasn't fastened properly. The person was no longer here and nothing was missing but I knew something was about to change. "Slaughter," he looked at me, "alert." He immediately stood guard but to anyone else, he would seem relaxed and lazy. I pat his head, I trained him well. I set my book bag in its proper place and linked my phone to my stereo Bluetooth. Halestorm came on and I gently nodded my head to the quiet, rock beat. I sat on my bed and Slaughter laid by my side with his head in my lap. I pet him from head to tail and started nodding off.
       Slaughter woke me up with a quiet bark and a lick to my fingers. It was dark outside and my music was still on, I turned it off and went downstairs. Slaughter was waiting patiently at the door for me, I let him out and started fixing myself some dinner. I had some mashed potatoes with butter and brown sugar. Slaughter came in and I set his food down in his bowl. My heart ached as I thought of my mom. She had soft, kind brown eyes and long, curly brown hair. Her heart was pure and big. She was soft for little children and animals. She loved dogs and horses. I blinked back my feelings and finished eating. I put my dishes in the sink and went to my room. Slaughter lay next to me on my bed as if he knew I needed a friend, someone to comfort me for the moment. A small smile fell across my cheeks. I got up and took a shower. Black sweatpants, socks, and a hoodie were on my now clean body and I fell asleep with Slaughter next to me, his warmth keeping me warm and feeling safe.