Broken (The Siren Series #1)

by L. A. Griffiths

  “We’re just going to hang out that’s all.”

  “All right but make sure your not home too late, have fun.” he hung up.

  “He said yes.” I said.

  “I have a good brother,” Kate said happily. “Right I’m starving, let’s go get a burger.”

  Come to think of it, I hardly ate anything for lunch and the thought of a burger did make me hungry. Kate continued down the road and took a left and then a right turn. I gazed out of the window. Everything flew passed like a blur as we passed different street and carried on down the road. Kate slowed down and turned into the drive through. There was another car ahead of us waiting to be served. I could see kids jumping up and down in the car with excitement.

  “What do you want Ellie, my treat.” Kate asked.

  It didn’t take me long to think what I wanted. “Cheese burger, large fries, and strawberry milkshake. Please.” I asked.

  “What no ice cream?” Kate laughed as we pulled up to the window. She gave the order to the woman and added two ice creams and paid cash.

  “Did you just order ice cream as well?” I asked.

  Kate gave a devilish smile.

  Kate moved the car forward and grabbed the hot bag of food. It smelled so good that I hurried and took the bag out of her hands. Kate asked for some sauce and attendant gave her a handful.

  She parked the car around the corner and we ate our food while listening to the radio. I ripped off the paper covering my burger and took a forceful bite. It tasted so good, and I even dipped a few fries into the milkshake. (Even though it’s bad for you, but I needed the comfort food.)

  “So what’s going on in school then?” Kate asked while putting hot fries into her mouth.

  I knew this question would be coming up sooner or later. “It’s okay, just the same.” I replied.

  “Is that all, how’s Becky and Lilly I haven’t seen them in a while?” Kate said.

  “Yeah they’re good, we have our ups and downs, but I don’t think I would be able to face school without them.” I answered.

  “Oh? Why’s that then?” Kate asked. She knew the answer already, but she wanted to talk about it.

  “Just that school is sometimes hard for me, that’s all, I don’t have many friends in school and sometimes I’m on my own.” I said while taking another bite.

  “It gets better, trust me when your older school may seem a million miles away.”

  “Kate, why are you really here?”

  “What do you mean?” Kate looked bewildered.

  I stared at her.

  “Fine,” she broke. “Your Dad is worried about you Ellie. You’re behavior is scaring him.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Hearing Kate’s confession made me feel guilty. The burger started to taste foul in my mouth.

  “He told me, he found you on the floor the other night. He thought you were dead.” Kate said. “You know how he worries.”

  I drank from my milkshake. The coldness spiked throughout my head giving me bad brain freeze.

  “There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m fine” I said as I rubbed my forehead.

  “I’m not saying there is, but if you need to tell us anything you can, ok?” Kate said.

  Did they think I was on drugs or something, well who can blame them when they find me curled up on the floor screaming.

  “Ok let’s change the subject, are there any boys you like?” Kate asked.

  It was relieved when Kate finally changed the subject, but this was another subject I was no good at. “No not really, I’m kinda’ invisible to them, but Becky’s the one that has the attention.” I said.

  “Does it bother you?” she asked.

  For a moment I thought, it was a weird question to ask. I was never really jealous of Becky, but sometimes, I’d wish I had her confidence to just go for it but that wasn’t me at all. I brushed off the self doubts and answered her question.

  “No not really.” I answered.

  I took the last handful of fries, dipped them into the sauce and shoved them into my mouth. Kate handed me one of the ice creams and I began to eat at it slowly.

  Dad really brought in the big guns in with Kate. He knew she could get me to talk. That’s kinda’ low for Dad, but I could understand where he was coming from. I know he’s just looking out for me. I’ll have to have a proper talk with him soon.

  Now it was my turn to question Kate. “So how goes the dating then?” I asked.

  “Not good to be honest,” She replied. “Looks like we’re in the same boat.” she laughed.

  It was nice to hear Kate laugh for once. Kate might put up a front of a strong woman that lets nothing gets to her, but I do worry for her sometimes.

  “What about work?” I asked.

  “Yeah it’s fine, very busy I don’t have time to sit down. There are more patients coming in everyday and there’s talk about shutting down a ward as well, which people won’t be happy about that.”

  Kate works as a nurse at the local hospital. She’s really good at her job, always there when someone needs help. Some of the nurses at that hospital don’t give a crap. No bedside manner at all.

  I was having my appendix out at the local hospital and I remember one of the nurses. She was a large stumpy woman with a face that could scare any child. This horrifying woman was having difficulty finding a vain in this poor woman’s arm. I could tell the woman was in pain but the nurse did not care and told the poor woman to shut up. How can any nurse act like that, it was horrible to watch. Luckily Kate was on the same ward and saw how she was butchering this poor woman’s arm and took over and she did it in seconds.

  “You finished?” Kate asked.

  It took me a moment to finally respond to her. I looked down and saw that I was just playing with the half melted ice cream. I stared down into the creamy pot, as if it contained an answer to all my problems. It didn’t.

  “Yeah, sorry.” I said as I passed her the ice cream and the other rubbish to her. As I did our hands touched and I felt my stomach turn. Fearing the worst, I knew what would happen. I watched her face closely for the rapid change in her personality, fearing the animalistic lust that I could inflict onto people. A few seconds past, and nothing happened.

  “Are you going to let go?” Kate asked.

  I sat there with my hands gripped onto Kate’s hands, nothing at all. Releasing my grip, I touched her upper arm. Again I waited for her to change.

  “What are you doing?” Kate confusedly asked.

  I took my hands off Kate with surprise. “Just seeing if you’re cold that’s all.” I lied.

  Kate threw a puzzled look my way and left the car. I watched her walk to the outside bin. What the hell? Had my curse somehow disappeared? No, I don’t think it’s that easy. But it works on others. Something wasn’t right here. Anyone who touched me went crazy, but not her. Kate jumped back into the car and wiped her hands with a napkin.

  “I think I overdid it.” She said while rubbing her stomach.

  Kate put the key into the car and it roared to life. She pulled out of the car park and turned down the same road we came from. The drive home was quite fast and not a word was said.

  I must have freaked Kate out. I thought.

  She parked the car right outside the house, I was about to get out the car when Kate tugged at my school blazer. I turned to face her and she had a worried look on her face.

  “Please look after yourself and you’re Dad.” She politely asked. Why was everyone freaking out over me?

  Kate brushed some hair from my forehead and kissed it gently. The kiss was warm and loving.

  We both stepped out of the car and entered the house to see my Dad sitting on the sofa with what looked like a hot cup of tea.

  “Did you have fun girls?” He asked.

  “I think she did, Ellie did pig out though.” laughed Kate.

  “Hey!” I said. Kate gave me a playful nudge. “You’re the one who ordered the ice cream, not me.”

  “Yea
h, yeah. Anyway I’m off” she said jingling her keys. Kate came over and gave me another kiss and a big hug.

  Before Kate left the house she turned and gave me a wink and then she was gone.

  “So what did you girls talk about then?” He asked.

  I knew he was asking for me to spill all but there was nothing to tell really. “I thought you would have waited a while, before asking,” I said. “But nothing really, just girl talk.”

  I climbed the stairs and changed into my lazy clothes. “Ah that’s feels better.” I said aloud.

  I decided to join my Dad downstairs to watch TV, he held out a freshly made hot cup of tea. Taking the mug off him, I settled down in the comfy arm chair. Slowly I sipped the tea hoping not to burn my mouth. Dad sat on the sofa next to me and we both watched TV together. Nothing really good was on at the late afternoon. I liked it when all the dramas came on at night, but some of them were kinda’ gruesome. I took another sip and felt the warmth soothing tea hit my stomach.

  “So how’s work Dad?” I failed at small talk.

  He laughed softly. “It’s not bad but it’s a bit tiring.”

  When he said that, I then noticed the dark circles forming under his eyes. Was I adding to his tiredness? I know he worries about me but wish I could make him relax more about things.

  “Dad, you don’t have to stress about me you know.” I blurted out.

  He looked surprised. “Where did that come from?” he asked.

  “Well we have been talking, and the way Kate says it, it sounds like you are worried about me. Is that true?” I had to ask him about it.

  It was a few seconds before he spoke. He rubbed his face and leaned forward as if to tell me something serious. (Uh oh)

  “Ellie you are my daughter I will always worry about you, it’s my job.” He took a deep breath. “When you where a child, some people acted very weird to you.” he paused for a moment. “I didn’t want to tell you this but, you were kidnapped when you were a child. Someone who worked at the school you used to go to.” My eyes shot open, I had no memory of this.

  He shifted towards me and gently took my hands. I wanted to run away from him, wanted to flinch away but I stared into his eyes, waiting for the madness to start. Like Kate, nothing happened. There was no madness in his eyes, no indication to attack me. I didn’t pull my hands away. I continued to listen to his every word while watching his eyes.

  “When you were taken from me, I thought I lost you Ellie, with your Mum gone as well I think I would have gone crazy, but it was with Kate’s help. It was a teacher at your school who spotted you with the man, luckily he didn’t get far. He was clearly crazy but after the police was called, I got you back safely.” He gave a huge sigh. “That is why I worry Ellie. Sometimes I think it’s going to happen again.”

  “What happened to the man who took me?” I asked.

  “They took him away but I don’t know what happened to him in the end, they didn’t tell me.” He said.

  “What do you mean they?” I asked.

  “The police,” He replied. “I we were so relieved to have you back.”

  “After that, we moved and people took a liking to you very quickly, and I thought it would happen again so we moved around a lot.” his grip on my hand tightened. “I just want you safe Ellie, you are my world, and I would do anything to protect you.”

  I could feel my eyes watering up. “Dad,” I firmly said. “I won’t let anything happen to me.” I gave a teary smile.

  I almost forgot to tell him about that woman, but would telling him just add to more worry? I decided to tell him.

  “Uh Dad,” I paused. “I saw that woman again today.”

  He pulled his hands away from mine and I wished he hadn’t. He sat upright and was about to say something but I blurted out. “She said she’s a friend of Mum’s.” Hoping it was the right thing to say.

  He had a stern look on his face that frightened me a little. “What do you mean she a friend of your mother’s, is this some sort of sick joke?” He was getting mad. I could see his fury building up.

  “S-she said that her name was R-rhea.” I stuttered.

  “See Ellie there are people out there who want to harm you.” He said thrusting his finger to the door.

  “Dad, please calm down.” I pleaded. He started to pace back and forth, mumbling under his breath.

  He started to scare me, he hardly got mad and now he was rambling. I should have never said anything at all.

  “Dad!” I shouted.

  Quickly he turned to face me. His anger faded. He could see how scared I was, and he dropped down and hugged me tightly. I started to cry again while he clutched me. Everything that I had tried to push down came rushing up to the surface, the name calling, the bullying, the stalker and her sick games and even the loneliness. I tried to bottle it back up but it exploded and waves of tears fell down my face. I couldn’t catch my breath.

  “I’m sorry Ellie.” He said.

  I pulled away from him with my head down. I didn’t want him to see me with my face all red and puffy. He lifted up my head and wiped my tears away. I calmed myself down and tried to get my breathing under control. Slowly I stood up and went into the kitchen. I poured myself a cup of water and drank it down in one gulp. The cold water was nice and refreshing, I placed the empty glass to my flushed cheeks, feeling the sharp coldness of the glass against my skin.

  My Dad walked into the kitchen without saying a word.

  “I bet I look like a right state?” I tried to laugh.

  He stayed silent.

  Outside the kitchen window, the sun was setting, turning the sky a dark orange. It was getting late and I wanted to go to bed badly.

  “I think I want an early night.” I said while still staring out the window.

  He nodded. “Yeah it is getting a bit late. Goodnight Ellie.” He gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead.

  My tired legs climbed the stairs, and as soon as I opened my door, Dad called from downstairs. “Kate’s taking you to school again tomorrow.” he said.

  I gave an eye roll and threw myself onto the bed with a flop. I couldn’t be asked to stand up and take my clothes off, so I awkwardly fought against my pajamas bottoms and threw them across the room, missing the basket by an inch. I clutched onto my pillow and brought my fluffy blanket around me. My mind got me thinking, Dad touched me on my hands. He didn’t go crazy, like Kate. What was going on? For the first time I was too tired to continue that train of thought and for once sleep came easily to me.

  I awoke to a buzzing alarm clock. I lifted my tired eyes. It seemed as if I just got into bed. I wanted to throw that damn alarm clock across the room.

  “Better get up then.” I said out loud hoping it would jolt me out of bed. I pushed back the covers and slowly stretched my tired muscles. I threw off all my clothes and groggily jumped into my shower and pushed the button for the hot water. I stood back for the water to get warm, not wanting to get hit by freezing cold water. The warm water hit my skin and I felt my body slowly awakening. I reached out for my strawberry body wash, when, I noticed it wasn’t there. Then I knew Dad had been in my shower and stolen it. I settled for my vanilla one instead. Quickly, I showered and dried and brushed my hair. Today I decided to have my hair loose since it was natural curly. Downstairs I could smell something cooking.

  “I hope its pancakes.” I said as I pulled my skirt on.

  I hurried down to be greeted by the mouth drooling smell. In the kitchen, sitting on the table were the pancakes covered with lots of syrup. Dad stood at the cooker, trying to flip some very odd shaped pancakes, hoping they didn’t go on the floor, (Like last time).

  I sat down at the kitchen and took the knife and fork beside me.

  “Moring Dad.” I said. “Oh yeah, have you been using my strawberry scrub?” I raised a playful eyebrow.

  He took a while to answer. “It just smells so good that’s all.” he laughed.

  He placed more pancakes in front of me and pl
aced the syrup bottle onto the table. My eyes lit up as more piled onto my plate. It didn’t take me long to finish, when I noticed that Dad wasn’t eating.

  “Why mot meeting?” I said with my last mouthful of pancake.

  “Say that again in English?” he chuckled.

  I swallowed a mouthful and repeated. “Why are you not eating?”

  “I have to go into work early and I wanted to see you off to school.” he said.

  “Fine.” I mumbled.

  Dad was sipping his hot beverage while I was demolishing my pancakes.

  When I finished Dad took my plate and I said my thanks. I grabbed my bag from the living room and heard the horn from Kate’s car. Throwing my hand up, I gave my Dad a wave and left the house. Not before I made sure my face was clean from breakfast. Kate was parked outside blasting some music, and I swore that I could see the car bounce up and down.

  I ran to the passenger side of the car and let myself in. Kate greeted me with the biggest smile.

  “You’re in a very good mood today.” I said struggling over the music.

  Kate turned down the booming music. “Sorry Ellie. Yeah you could say I’m in a good mood.” she winked.

  I smiled at her. I was happy when Kate was happy. Sadly, not many good things happen to Kate, and seeing her like this put me in a good mood. We pulled away from the house and drove down the street.

  “So what’s got you in a good mood then?” I waited for her answer.

  “Well, this guy phoned me up last night and asked me if I wanted to go out.”

  “Really? That’s great, so what’s he like then? Is he up to your standards?” I asked her.

  “He’s great, funny and kind. He works with me down at the hospital.” Kate replied.

  “I’m happy for you Kate. Hope it works out.” I smiled.

  “We are meeting up this Saturday for a drin-”

  Before Kate could say anymore, something smashed into the side of the car, throwing us across the road with deadly force. The windows exploded, sending shards of glass flying across my face, slashing at my skin. The car skidded across the road and I tried to hold on to anything thing that I could find. The car lost its grip and flipped over. Pain rippled throughout my body as the car rolled through the air, throwing my body from side to side. My head slammed against the window making my vision blurry and dark, until the car finally landed on its roof with a loud ear shattering crash.