Dawn (When They Return Book 1) Read Free Page B

object to what her father said. They both wished her dead. Sometimes Dawn wished the same thing. Her parents had been her only hold on reality.
    Now that she knew what they really wanted, her fragile grip on reality slipped away and Dawn felt like she was falling faster. A chill crept over her, sinking into her bones causing her teeth to chatter.
    “She’s shaking,” her mother cried.
    “Grab another blanket.”
    “We have to do something. We need to call the ambulance.”
    “Just get the blanket,” Roy, her dad screamed.
    Dawn didn’t need a blanket. It wouldn’t protect her from this bone-deep cold she was feeling. Though she tried, she couldn’t open her eyes. Was this it? Were her prayers finally going to be answered? Would this be the day she died?
    “Remember.”
    This time the word was whispered in her ear. It wanted her to remember. Remember what? Why? For over a year she’d tried to ignore the voice, ignore the mirage. Maybe it was time for her to listen to it.
    It wasn’t like she had anything to lose at this point. Her parents didn’t just dislike her, they weren’t merely disappointed in her, they wanted her dead. Dead! Normal parents didn’t wish there babies dead. She wanted to know why hers did.
    “I want to remember,” Dawn thought, hoping the specter would hear her.
    “Finally,” it whispered.
    She was startled when cold fingers pressed against her eyes pushing them open. Suddenly the darkness was replaced by a bright light and Dawn was no longer in her home. She now stood all alone inside a tiny bathroom. White walls surrounded her.
    As the light dimmed, she noticed how dirty the walls were. In fact the whole room appeared a mess. Crumpled wads of tissue decorated the floor. The sink appeared stopped up with dirty water and so did the toilet. But the smell was the worst. It smelled like poop and vomit.
    Seconds later her mother rushed in. But she looked different, she was slimmer and her hair was shorter. She was dressed in a pair of denim shorts and her face was heavily made up. That was strange.
    Her mom never wore make up. Her mother’s light brown skin was ashen, and despite the makeup caked on her face, Dawn could see the bags under her eyes. Confused, Dawn watched as her mother ran for the toilet.
    Kneeling in front of the commode, she began to vomit. Dawn stepped back, not wanting any of it to get on her. A moment later her father entered the room holding a lit cigarette between his fingers. He looked angry.
    “Why won’t you just get an abortion? Drinking bleach isn’t going to kill the brat, it’s going to kill you,” he said before taking a puff from his cigarette.
    Her mother wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “We can’t afford an abortion, Roy. Stacy said she got rid of her problem this way. I’m sure I can do the same.” As soon as those words left her mouth she gagged then leaned over the toilet, vomiting again.
    “I don’t know why you won’t go to your mother for help,” Roy said. “She’s into that voodoo crap. Maybe she can cook you up something.”
    “Are you crazy?” Her mother spit into the toilet.
    “I’m sure it’s safer than drinking bleach.”
    “My mother may be into voodoo, but she doesn’t believe in abortion. She’s not going to help me. You know what? Just get out.”
    “Look, we don’t have time for kids, Taneka. And we damn sure ain’t got the funds for them.”
    “Maybe if you stop spending your checks on coke we would.”
    “Whatever, you don’t say that when you’re next to me snorting it, do you?”
    “Just get out Roy, damn. I’m doing the best I can. If this doesn’t work we’ll just have to have a damn baby, because we can’t afford no abortion. Close the door.”
    “This is some bull.”
    “Close the door.” Her mother yelled before leaning over the toilet again.
    “Forget you.” Her father slammed the door on his way out. Shocked, Dawn continued staring at her mother who had tears streaming down