When You Whisper - Chapter 4

8/2/2019 When You Whisper - Chapter 4

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When You Whisper

Chapter 4 - First Vision

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Carl Jung

The fact that Addy returned with Felicia to the house the next morning, a little shaken butotherwise unblemished, visibly disturbed her father and he left the girls alone for a fair stretch thatextended into several months reprieve. The event had spooked the abusive man and if he did havea day where his temper got the best of him, he took it out on his wife and not his children. This

persisted for longer than Addy had anticipated and she began to get a little complacent, notworrying as much about how things were going at home and being much more attentive at school,to her teachers delight.

Since Addy was more alert, less skittish and seemed to have outgrown any klutzy phasethat had resulted in the series of bruises she had borne, her teachers only concerns was the factthat the girl was always so reclusive. Most of the children in her class would gather and playtogether in small groups, but Addy always kept to herself. She wasnt disruptive, and she was

becoming a very good student, so it was hard to find fault with her, but her more conscientiousteachers believed it was unhealthy for her to be so anti-social. Theyd often insist that she join inwith the play of some of the other students, and Addy would always comply on the most basiclevel, but even as she participated she appeared distant and lost in some other place altogether.

The teachers in question chocked this behaviour up to some sort of severe shyness anddecided that it was not something that they could remedy. After several attempts at trying to gether to mingle with her classmates, they stopped trying to force her to socialize and left her to her own devices. They had no idea that what they saw as painful self-imposed isolation was nothingof the sort. Addy was never lonely, and all of the time they believed her to be mired in timidennui, she was actually deep in silent conversation, sharing her latest thoughts and feelings withJavan.

It had been a full year and a half after the teething incident, and Addy was returning toclass after lunch when a sudden sense of extreme urgency blasted through her. It was strongenough that it made her stop dead in the middle of the hallway, momentarily breathless. An icy air seemed to surround her, causing goose-bumps to rise on her flesh. Her extremities tingled and thehair stood up on the back of her neck. Something was very wrong.

Javan?

You have to tell them right now before its too late. You have to get somebody to go to your home. No more stalling, Addy.


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Addy sighed and tried to shake herself free from the uncomfortable feeling that wascausing her skin to prickle. They had argued this point many times, and she wasnt about to yieldon it now not after things had been going reasonably well for quite some time.

No. Weve had this talk before, and Im not going to do this again. Im not going to split

up my family, Javan. If this is what you are doing to try to make me talk about it, then Im going to have to ask you to leave me alone. She made sure that her annoyance was clear in her thoughts. But something about Javans words made her uneasy this time. Even during the worstof times there had been a certain level of calm to his presence, but this time it was just frantic.

Its not like that, its different this time. Something has happened that you need to knowabout, something that will really change things. What do I have to do to convince you how seriousthis is?

Addy groaned inwardly.

Go away, Javan. Just go away. Once again she lifted her hoodie and made a strongeffort to ignore him, so his whispers were just a mild but irritating buzzing at the back of her brain.

But the strange chill that made her skin feel odd did not disappear and as she started downthe hall anew, the shimmery haze that had been present in the junkyard began to form in the space

before her, only this time it started to take shape. Addy paused a second time. This had never happened before.

The mist swirled and shifted in front of Addy. She glanced around, but nobody else in thehallway appeared to be seeing what she was seeing. She started to wonder if she were crazy again,

but there were too many things that defied explanation if Javan werent real, like the encounter with the junkyard dog unless she had imagined all of that too.

As the haze became temporarily more substantial and Addy could make out the form of aman with something extruding from his back, she found herself unintentionally listening to Javaninstead of trying of ignoring him. This was the first time that he had taken form before her. Hehad regained her full attention.

Addy, listen please! Your father just lost his job for striking the foreman during anargument. Hes on his way home right now, and hes furious. The place is in a mess, your mother is groggy from her pills and your sister has free run of the house. Considering the mood that your

father is in before he gets home, just imagine how hes going to react when he arrives there and finds that.

Addy was stunned. If what Javan said was true, her mother and sister were about to facewhat would probably her fathers worst blow-out yet. She would have to act to protect them or else, and she couldnt help them from where she was. He was right. It didnt matter what theconsequences would be as far as her family unity was concerned. She would have to tell someone,


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she would have to warn them what was about to happen so that they could stop it. She wouldnt put it past her father to kill someone in the state of mind that he would be in. But would anyone believe her?

How do you know all of this, Javan? What are you? How do I know this isnt some sort

of trick?

Ive asked this of you before, and I havent let you down yet. You have to trust me. Im someone that cares. Im a friend, and Im trying to help. Do what your heart tells you to do, Addy.

Her head didnt want to believe any of it, but her heart told her that Javan wouldnt lie toher. She veered around so quickly that the heel of her sneaker squealed against the polished floor tiles. Then she ran.

Addy was forced to fight her way through the tide of students hurrying back to class inorder to get to the principals office, desperation urging her forward with as much speed as shecould muster. She arrived at the doorway stooped and breathless. The secretary looked at her andfrowned.

Adelaide, you know theres no running allowed inside the school. There was surprise inthe womans voice. Addy was never one to break the rules.

Help! I...need...help! the dishevelled girl gasped.

The secretary, an older woman with short-cropped hair and a mouth that seemed too big for her face, leaped to her feet and rushed over to her. Asking for help was another thing that thewoman had never seen from Addy.

What is it? Are you hurt? Are you sick? Should I fetch the nurse? She gave Addy theonce over, scrutinizing her carefully for any signs of serious injury. Addy shook her head.

My mother...and my sister...theyre in trouble.

The secretary stood up straight and stepped back, putting her hands on her hips.

What do you mean by that? she asked. At that same moment the principal arrived in theoffice, returning from lunch. He was a lanky man who looked older than he was because of areceding hairline and the early formation of jowls. He came to an abrupt halt upon spotting Addy.

Whats going on here? he demanded. Addy stared at him with worried eyes.

She came here looking for help, his assistant informed him. She claims her mother andsister are in trouble.


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The look that passed between man and woman was a doubtful one they both knew thatAddy did not come from a family who could afford to supply their eight-year-old with a cell

phone. She would have no way of checking in with her family during the middle of the school dayin order to get news of trouble. But they also both recalled the rumours that had been traded in thestaff room in the past, suspicions of abuse in Addys family, but not ones that had ever beenconfirmed. Addy had always denied any suggestions that there might be problems at home andhad blamed the rash of bruises that she often wore on being accident prone. The rumours had diedalong with passing of the regular appearance of those bruises.

Now Adelaide, really how would you possibly know something like that? the principalasked. Im sure theyre fine for the moment. What would make you so worried, for their sake?

Addy visibly deflated on the spot. How could she ever convince them without telling themabout Javan, and that was assuming that there was some way she could get them to believe hereally existed, when she still had a hard enough time believing it herself. She wasnt about to give

up, despite this. Balling up her fists, setting her jaw and bowing her head, she revealed the thingshe had been fighting Javan over, the thing that she had avoided admitting since he had first begunspeaking to her.

My father when he gets mad he he hits us. He just lost his job. Hes going to bemad. Hes going to be really mad. Hell hurt them. Im scared hes going to really hurt them

badly this time. She felt as though someone had just punched her in the stomach as the wordsslipped out of her mouth. What came next made it worse.

This is a serious accusation, Adelaide. Youve been asked about this in the past and you

claimed that there was nothing wrong at home. People are going to question why youve changedyour story why now. Are you sure you want us reporting this to child services to investigate? If youre making this up, it will be extremely disruptive to your family, without cause. The processis really intrusive. Theyll be digging into every aspect of your life. The principal was firm butgentle. Her teachers had been convinced that things werent right where Addy was concerned, buthe didnt know her well enough to be certain, and he still had to make sure that she was aware of the repercussions, in case she were lying. Addys eyes widened and her breath quickened.

Reporting? Investigate? No no, that will be too late. They need someone to help themright now. They cant wait that long. You have to send somebody now. They need help right

now! As the thought that nobody would be rushing to her familys aid struck home, she started totremble. He would kill them this time. Addy was sure of it; that was why Javan had warned her.

Calm down, dear, calm down, the secretary said, placing her hands on Addys shoulders.These things take time. Theyll need to assign a worker to your case and your parents will haveto be interviewed. If theres any concern that you or your sister are at risk, theyll find a safe placefor you to go.


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They dont understand, Addy. They dont see the immediate danger. You should havelistened to me sooner. Well just have to find another way.

Addy heard Javan clearly, but she wasnt done trying to make her point. She shook herself free from the womans grasp, tears of frustration beginning to well in her eyes.

They dont have time! Why wont you listen to me!? Addy railed unhappily.

Youve gotten yourself much too worked up, Adelaide. Maybe youve been thinkingabout the worst possible things that could happen and let your imagination run away with you.They were fine when you left this morning, werent they? Why would you have any reason to

believe that they are otherwise now? Why this sudden need for action? The principal crouchedto her level as he questioned her, speaking quietly. Addy knew he was just trying to settle her and

put her more at ease. He didnt necessarily think she was crazy, but he did appear to believe thatshe was high-strung and suffering from unwarranted anxiety. If she mentioned Javan, however,

that would quickly change. They would likely dismiss everything that she had to say. She bit her lip, holding back additional protests.

Why dont you go lie down in the sick room for a little while, Adelaide, the mancontinued, trying to be sympathetic to her distress. Relax, and maybe have a little nap untilyouve calmed yourself enough to return to class. Well let your teacher know not to expect you

back right away; well deal with this promptly, and make sure that theres someone working onyour situation as soon as possible. You can let this be someone elses worry from here on out.

Addy brushed the tears hastily away from her face and with shoulders hunched, started off in the direction of the sick room. She heard them speaking in hushed voices as she left.

What a shame - shes such a fragile soul. Shed have so much potential in the proper environment...

She was certain that she couldnt depend on them for the kind of help that she needed. Shewould have to come up with a plan of her own.

What do I do now, Javan? What do I do?

You tried, Addy. No one could expect more from you. Im sorry. I guess now you haveto focus on keeping yourself safe. Maybe well find you another place to hide until they send

someone to sort things out.

Addy stopped walking. She was almost at the sick room, which was not far from the maindoors of the school.

You want me to just let this happen save myself and abandon them? she breathed. Imight be able to do that if it were just my mother, since shes been happy to desert me and Felicia,

but I cant do that to my sister. All we have is each other.


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Addy recognized that she had Javan too, but right now she was angry at him for suggestingsuch a thing, and hoped that her words would sting. She regretted it immediately, the pain he feltfrom the jab washing over her as well.

Addy what are you planning? You tried your best. Theres nothing else to do.

She shook her head.

How is it any different now? I never had anyone to help me before, other than you. Ill just have to do things the same way Ive had to do them in the past. Ill handle it myself, shethought.

Without a second thought, Addy started to run for the doors with the intent to exit the building. She wouldnt be missed from class right away, and by the time they realized she wasgone, she likely would have made it home.

No! Dont go back there! How am I supposed to keep you safe?

She chose to ignore Javan. This wasnt about herself, to Addy, this was all about Felicia.If those she had tried to appeal to were going to leave this problem in the hands of a child toresolve, then so be it. She had trusted the insight that Javan had provided her and now she wasrunning on instinct. Self-preservation had never been a strong point with her, not when her sister was involved.

The distance between her house and the school was a significant one for someone so youngand so slight, but panic drove her to run the entire way. Javan pleaded with her all along the route,

begging her to turn around and go back, but Addy continued to refuse his demands, focussed on atask that she considered absolutely essential.. He even tried to appear before her three times alongthe way when she slowed to collect her breath, his misty presence taking subtle form again, but shesteeled herself each time and simply ran through him. She wasnt going to let him stop her.

As she neared her front door, she paused to catch her breath. She could hear her father yelling inside from where she was, hesitating on the sidewalk as she crouched and panted. Hisenraged voice carried quite well. Javan tried to entreat her again.

Addy, dont do this. Please dont do this. How am I supposed to watch over you? I cant protect you properly in there. Im not powerful enough. I can fight inner demons but I cant fight

monsters. He has no soul. Youre no fighter either.

Addy eyed the front door and decided that it wasnt her best approach. She startedcreeping around the back, still breathing heavily.

You did what you could, Javan, she said quietly, between breaths. I have to take it fromhere. Ill figure out a way to do this. What is it youre always telling me? Have faith?


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I always do, he murmured. But you have free will, and thats what scares me. Yourenot ready to make this choice. Youre too young to make this kind of sacrifice not now. I cant believe that He intended it to happen this way. This isnt a matter of faith.

Then believe something else, but youre not changing my mind. I made a promise. Imade a promise that I wouldnt let him hurt her, and Im going to keep that promise, Addyinsisted. She tiptoed up the back stairs and opened the door quietly.

The scene within was not exactly what she was expecting. Her mother was actuallystanding up to her father for a change, but not with any real heart. She was screaming at her husband to let go of Felicia, but he was shouting threats and insults back at his wife, his boomingvoice drowning hers out. They both gripped their daughter by opposing wrists, causing the poor little girl to be yanked back and forth in some sort of obscene tug-of-war.

Addy stood stock still just inside of the back door, trying to decide what to do. Her littlesister looked shaken and terrified, but not really harmed in any way, physically, yet. Addy wasntsure exactly how the argument had started, but could easily imagine something of what must have

happened. Her father had likely come in, already in a very foul mood because of the incident atwork, and found the house in shambles. He had then probably gone up to the bedroom anddragged his groggy wife out of bed, screaming at her over the mess and ready to unleash some of his rage and frustration upon her, given the slightest excuse. Felicia would have been upset by hisoutburst and the mistreatment of her mother and may have even tried to intervene, painting a targetsolidly on her back in the process. He had turned the blame of all of his troubles on her instead.

That had been the point where Addy had entered.

The little leech has sucked the life right out of you, woman! You aint been the samesince you brought her home. I shouldve beaten her out of you when she was still in your belly,tossed her in some dumpster and saved us all a truck-load of trouble! Shes always been a

problem. At least the mutt knows her place. This one this one you brought me home is trash,and probably some other mans trash! She aint nothing like me! You probably whored yourself out to some neighbourhood junkie! I wouldnt put it past you spreading your legs for the first dogthat came sniffing around here!

Every time he raised his voice a little louder, Addys father would give Felicias arm asolid jerk. Addy was worried that if she didnt do something soon, her father would wrench her sisters shoulder right out of its socket. With each jarring pull, Felicia would squeal and cry evenharder.

Leave her alone, Addys mother pleaded. This aint her fault, and you know it. Shes just a little girl, and youre scaring her. Let her go. Ill clean things up and fix you something toeat, but let her go.

It aint her fault! The mans face reddened and a vein throbbed on his forehead as heswelled with rage. Why do you think I was in shit at work in the first place? Theyre still holdingthose days over my head that I came in late cause she kept me up half the night! They claimedthat I wasnt hauling my weight on the site, and thats damn well why!


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He certainly wasnt about to acknowledge any of the blame could be attributed to hisdrinking and that he had shown up several times in the last few months with a severe hangover.The odd sleep-deprived night because of Felicia had happened long before that and had beenforgotten at this point in time. His foremans displeasure had actually been the result of morerecent events. Better yet, Addys fathers supervisor had only been giving him a warning. If the

irate man had not lost his temper, overreacted and struck the foreman, he would still have a job.Admitting to that, however, would be admitting that he was the one at fault, and Addys father never did that.

Felicias cries increased in intensity as he gave her a rather severe shake, her reactioncatching the furious mans attention once more. He lowered his face to her level and glared at her menacingly, leaning in inches away from the small girl.

SHUT UP! he bellowed at the top of his lungs. SHUT UP OR I WILL FUCKINGWELL SHUT YOU UP FOR GOOD, YOU NOISY WASTE OF SPACE AND MONEY!

All this succeeded in doing was frightening Felicia even more, who jumped, screeched and

tried futilely to wriggle free from her fathers iron grip. In response to this, he balled his fist of hisfree hand and drew it back, preparing to strike his younger daughter full force.

Addy came to conclusion that she had to act and could no longer delay, for Felicias sake,even if she wasnt sure how she could help. Spurred on by the need to draw her fathers attentionaway from her sister, she ran up the stairs and raised her foot as she reached the man, who was notyet aware that she was there. With every morsel of strength in her body, she kicked her father squarely in his Achilles tendon.

Three things happened. Addys mother let out a shrill scream and released her grip onFelicia, completely startled by her elder daughters sudden appearance. Secondly, her husband,who was now off-balance, also released his grip on the smaller child with a roar of pain and Feliciaimmediately took advantage of the situation to scurry out of sight into her bedroom. And lastly,the man fell. The problem was, he fell backwards, which was exactly where Addy was located,and he toppled into her, taking the much smaller child with him as he tumbled down the stairs.

To say that Addys was crushed in the fall was an understatement. Her father was a huskyman, almost as wide as he was tall and dense too, most of that muscle cultivated by years of manual labour. Addy was underdeveloped for her age and had little mass to resist his weight whenhe sprawled on top of her as they hit bottom. The pain of several bones breaking was so severethat she blacked out briefly, and when she came to her ears were ringing and she couldnt catch her

breath. Her legs were bruised but otherwise uninjured from the fall, but her right arm lay limp andshe could not feel her fingers and her chest ached with a fierce pain like none she had ever

experienced before.Javans shouts reverberated inside her head, and at first she could not make sense of them,

partially because of her fathers loud moaning in her ear. He had been both injured and dazed bythe fall as well.

Addy! Addy, can you hear me? Are you okay? Javans words were frantic and plaintive.She could tell that even though it felt as if she were hearing them through a thick wad of cotton.


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Addy, if you can get up, you have to. If at all possible, you need to run. Youve got to get out of here before he comes to his senses. Go! Go now!

Obliging Javans request was more difficult for Addy than her protector likely realized. A portion of her fathers mass was keeping her pinned to the floor. She had to actively squirm her way out from underneath his dead weight, the man still lost in a daze caused by the fall, but everymovement caused her little broken body to scream with pain. She finally managed to free herself completely from his bulk, and she staggered to her feet, glancing about dizzily. Felicia had madeherself scarce, frightened out of her wits, and was nowhere in sight or earshot. Addys mother hadgone back to being as useless as she almost always was in these kinds of situations, and she waslying in a crumpled heap at the top of the stairs, sobbing. Addys father continued to stir where helay on the floor.

Never mind them, Addy, Javan urged. Go! Just go!

Satisfied that Felicia was safe for the moment, Addy did as she was told. She used whatadrenaline she had left in her system and a burst of endorphins that helped numb her pain, to bolt

out of the front door, since her fathers prone forming was blocking her way to the back. She tore blindly down the street, her right arm sagging unresponsively as she ran, not really knowing whereit was that she was going. That was when she saw Mrs. Johansson a short stretch up the block,emerging out of her home. Without much thought, Addy turned and headed her way.

The older woman did not notice her at first, not until Addy was almost right on her doorstop. She smiled in greeting until she realized that Addy was in distress. Addy stopped infront of her wavering and wheezing, trying to catch her breath but failing.

Addy? Addy dear, whats wrong? Mrs. Johansson asked her, with concern in her voice.

But Addy didnt get the chance to answer her. The injured girl heard only the sound of

Javans garbled anxious words echoing through her mind as the world began to swim, and thenfaded into blackness.

When You Whisper - Chapter 4

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