Lifeblood


Family Problems.
Chapter One.

Drip, drip, drip. Sinking down into the bath I grabbed my head, tears forming at the edges of my eyes, the sun setting in the window behind me. Birds were chirping in the distance as they started to nest for the night and children laughing as they ran home. Drip, drip, drip. A single tear fell from my eye as I bit my lip instinctively. Steam raised off of my arm as I lifted it up looking for the phone beside me. Drip, drip, drip. The dripping of the water from the faucet was slightly soothing me as I tried to keep my eyes of the razor next to my head. Drip, drip, drip. Finding my phone I hastily picked the black contraption and dialed in a number, I didn't know what number but my fingers instinctively pressed them. As the phone rang I waited, hoping that maybe someone could help me, and then he picked up... My dad finally picked up.

"Hello?"
"Dad!?"
"Oh... Hello Zera." His voice laced with venom.
"Mom. Er... I mean Krystal died today." My voice unstable.
"Is that all? You're twenty-one for gods sake! Get over it." With that he hung up.

Looking through my phone I saw there was little to no contacts. Sighing my eyes locked onto the razor, tears forming and bubbling over, I knew I couldn't cut... I promised my mother I would never resort to that. It wasn't what my father said that brought the crying spell on me, it was the fact that my mother was my best friend, my mentor, my everything. My mother was a very strong woman, she gave birth to me at the young age of seventeen and my father left her with me when I was seven years old. I remembered many things about my childhood, the main one was how loving and nurturing my mother was. Many disagreed with the things she taught me, mainly because she was Pagan instead of Christian. Never understanding why that mattered I was raised worshiping the "Wrong Gods", however, I feel like it was right. A few of my friends tried to convert me, but when they took me to their church I did not feel welcomed or felt right being there. It made absolutely no since to me. Even though many in my school shunned me from the normal child-like activities that happened at school I was normally top in my class. I believe the main reason why I was because my mom made me read constantly, we didn't own a t.v. at all.

Sliding farther into the steaming water my nose barely far enough from the water to breathe. Looking over at the clock on the wall I sighed, it was almost time for work. "Maybe I should call in." I said to no one. Pulling the plug from my bath I stood up and wrapped a towel around me and a smaller one around my bright blond hair. Looking in the mirror I saw my eyes significantly puffed up. Sighing I walked out of the bathroom into my room. Flying myself onto the bed I pulled my cell phone out and looked through the contacts. Smiling I saw Luna's name, my fingers swept over the screen swiftly texting her the dreaded news. [Hey Luna, mom just died ): It really sucks! -Butterfly-] With that simple text I looked over to my closet and pulled out a pair of camouflage cargo pants and a black tank-top. Looking through my drawers I found my black sports bra and a pair of underwear throwing it all on I started to comb out my hair when my phone rang. Looking at it I smiled, [ :( You are freaking kidding me right!?!? Well fuck me sideways! I'll be over soon, call off work hun! We are going to go drinking! -LunaBaby-]. Chuckling I finally combed my hair out completely and threw it up into a ponytail and grabbed my wallet hooking a chain to it and my pants. Grabbing my phone I dashed downstairs to my laundry room. Finding a pair of mismatched socks I threw my combat boots on and walked into the kitchen.

"I swear we are still teenagers sometimes." I chuckled under my breath as I put a cigarette in my mouth lighting it and taking a long drag, "Mom, I'm really going to miss you." A small tear fell from my eye and I took another drag walking into the living room. Tapping my foot lightly on the floor I finished my smoke and put it out in my homemade ashtray. Chuckling at the trinket I made in ninth-grade I walked to the door grabbing my keys and aviators to block the sun from my eyes. As soon as my foot hit the porch I called my work and explained everything out, they gave me the week off, luckily. Sighing I sat on the porch swing and lit another cigarette and took a drag. Looking at my stomach I lifted up my tank to see a butterfly on my right side half way covered by my pants and a gun on my left shooting it into smaller butterflies. Chuckling again I put my shirt down seeing the black '76 Camaro driving in my driveway behind my Jeep Wrangler. "Ah so you brought the little-one along as well?" The tan girl hopped out of the passenger seat and smiled, you could defiantly tell the beauty was a native american. Looking over in the driver seat I saw her other best friend that was about twenty years old, his name never seemed important to me, she shrugged and laughed, "We need a responsible driver!"

Luna's friend only nodded his head as I got in the back seat. "Going to your parents bar again?" Luna only nodded and patted my head making me roll my eyes. 'No wonder people card us, we act like fifteen year olds.' I thought to myself as I looked out the window watching houses pass by. 'I should be depressed right now, then again maybe I am so down that I want to drown my sorrows away?' My thoughts trailed off and we were at the bar in what seemed like no-time. Getting out of the Camaro I was told that I would have to keep my potty mouth from cussing to much. I chuckled and hugged her and we waltzed into the bar. The thing is, although I may seem quiet by myself I tend to be loud and obnoxious when you get to know me, plus I tended to cuss like a sailor... It's actually one habit I am trying to quit. Sighing I walked to the bar-tender and smiled, "I'll have a watermelon Smirnoff for now hun." He only nodded his head knowing who I was and how I normally started with what I normally called "bitch-beers". Sighing I opened it and took a large swig as the dance-floor started to fill up. Dancing wasn't really one of my favorite things to do in public because I dirty danced and it was something I would rather do without... somehow though whenever I get drunk I would do it. Funny thing is, I don't get drunk very easy... When I was seventeen my friends dared me to drink a whole bottle of whiskey and I wasn't even tipsy, which they thought was a miracle... I thought it was normal.

My eyes followed my best friend as she started to dance with our "designated driver". Even though he was two years younger than her, which was not her type trust me, she had a huge crush on him though. The way he acted, it seemed that he had a crush as well. I only chuckled and downed the drink and asked for another. The bartender rolled his eyes and just put three more beside me, "I know you by now Zera, you drink ten then go for a bottle of whiskey, then you get Grey Goose." I smiled and looked at him. Over the past year I figured out the man's name was John, he had a wife and twins who were sixteen, he lived rather close to me, and his dog died about a month ago. Funny how you can make friends with your bartender so easily. Sighing I turned to him and chugged another one, "So how are the twins and your old lady?" He started cleaning out glasses and smiled. "Well the twins are turning seventeen soon and my old lady is doing great! She lost twenty pound this las couple of months and is really happy now." I smiled and nodded, "I'm glad for you!" Chuckling he looked at me concerned, "I heard the news, I'm terribly sorry... You can have a bottle of whiskey on the house." I nodded as a way of thank you and started drinking some more. "So anything interesting happen lately?" He only nodded his head no and pointed to the door, "I think a few gang members are coming in though, saw a couple of bikes stop." Rolling my eyes I threw away my empty bottles and grabbed a whiskey bottle sipping on it, the way it burned going down my throat made me feel so much better.

As I walked towards my best friend she looked at me concerned, "Hey don't mess with anyone tonight, I think some gang members are here. I swear I will beat the living crap out of you if you even think about it!" As she pouted slightly I shook my head no and walked to the bar again sitting at the very end this time. Putting my aviators on my head I smiled and noticed that there was a few gang members that were in here tonight. 'Just my luck.' I thought as I took a rather large swig of whiskey smiling at the feeling again... No one really noticed a girl like me, in fact many were afraid of me. I mean, who wouldn't be? I am about five foot ten, almost six foot with my combat boots on, my long bright blond hair constantly up and I had muscles. Growing up my mom made sure I stayed fit, she knew I would get bullied in school so she said it was for my "self defense" little did both of us know, it was more defense than we could ever ask for. My voice though, my voice attracts people, it's almost angelic (or so Luna says). Grunting at the bartender as he walked over to me I gritted my teeth slightly, "Think they will start trouble John?" He simply shook his head no as I took another swig, "Alright." Nodding as he walked to get them some alcohol I pushed my glasses over my piercing ice blue eyes and looked at a booth where a man was sitting by himself. Looking closer I noticed it was my mother's old friend, Sam. Gritting my teeth I looked away. He was not someone I wanted to look at, nor talk to for the rest of my life. Sam constantly hurt my mom, physically and emotionally. Standing up I walked to a secret room in the very back. Busting through the doors I found Luna's father and a few of his friends playing poker.

Luna's family was like my family, so much in fact I called her parents mom and dad. "Sorry dad, Sam was out there. Do you need an extra player for Poker?" He shook his head no and I smiled "Is there anyone on the patio?" again he shook his head no. Smiling I nodded for the men to continue their game and I walked out to the patio. Creeping over the the very edge of it I sat dangling my feet over, you see, the bar sat on a large hill. To make the building even they had to build a funny foundation. The patio had a railing but it was big enough to dangle your feet underneath it. Looking over my legs I could see the town lights in the distance. The sun was setting behind the city make beautiful deep shades of red and purple dance across the sky. A small butterfly landed on my finger making me smile again, "Oi, little one, why are you so far away from the flowers?" Chuckling as it flew off I watched it carefully until it disappeared. The stars started to come out and I started to look for certain constellations, "There is Orian's belt." I said to no one pointing at it smiling. My smile quickly faded as a deep voice came from behind me, "Not only are you pretty but your somewhat smart too!" Grinding my teeth I stood up and turned around finding one of the "gang members" standing there. "Who are you?" I said with authority. "This is a private place, no one should be out here but family!" Grinding my teeth as a laugh bellowed from the man. He stepped closer, "Hun, I ain't from no gang." Glaring at him I pulled my sunglasses to the top of my head, "Then who are you and what do you want?!" He simply laughed and turned away, "It's not me that wants anything... and you will find out in due time." As I pulled back my fist he turned around and walked through the bar.

When I stomped after him he was gone, "How the hell could he disappear!?" I asked to no one, Luna's father looked at me funny, "Are you drunk? No one came through here but you." I scratched my head and walked towards the door to leave, "Maybe I just saw something? I know I'm not drunk because I would be on the dance floor." He simply nodded showing that our conversation was done and I needed to leave. When I walked out I saw Luna making out with our "designated driver". Sighing I walked over and tapped on her shoulder, "So are you shit-faced or are you guys dating now?" Smiling she looked at him "The latter." I smiled and hugged her, "Congratulations dear friend! You got over your "He's to young for me" stage!" Laughing as I dodged her fist I walked to the bar and finished my whiskey. "Hey John, if Luna asks I'm at my house, I am not drunk... you can vouch for me!" I said smiling as he handed me a bottle of Vodka and I handed him a fifty, "To pay for some of the other drinks from last time as well." He simply nodded as I walked out of the bar. Looking at my phone I found my neighbor's number and called it, "Hey Damien, will you come get me from Luna's bar? I would greatly appreciate it!" A velvety voice came from the other end, "Why of course dear!" I smiled and hung up knowing it would only take him about five minutes to get to me.