Bent and a little bit broken

[Abelle Broussard]

Belle’s eyes fluttered nearly closed as she walked into the apartment building. She was beyond tired, wasn't even sure if she’d make it into the elevator and two apartments over to have a meeting with her couch. That would be about as far as she would get this evening, like many evenings. She would turn on her tv and fall asleep not even half way through a half an hour show. The thought of her bed made her grin, as she got off on her floor. Humming softly, she opened the door, but her foot got caught on a piece of paper under it. Since when did people leave mail in front of the door. It was personal, who knew who else peeped it.

Reaching down she grabbed the couple of letters, her eyes scanning the addresses as she walked into her place. One was from France and the other from Africa. It made her freeze in her spot and she felt instantly energized. Setting the mail down on the table, she stood and looked at it as if it would grow legs and turn into a zombie or something. Now why would she get mail from home and from France. France she had only been there once with her father. It was where all her ideas of living in what she felt was the real world, came into view. She could still remember the lights, the sounds of laughter, children playing and running down the streets. Belle hadn't been allowed however, though she did keep her nose pressed to the window, imagining what could be. That was her last or only memory of France.

Africa on the other hand was where she spent her life. Swamps, tents, filthy clothes. Truly embarrassing, definitely something she wasn't fond of telling most people. She wondered if Patrice or any of the other siblings, shared their story along the way. Her’s was different of course, just like how she was different. Sure they shared the same parents, but there was something that always set her aside. Red hair of course and the blue eyes, but it was something deeper than that, and she always resented it. She was always being scolded or even spanked and punished. She remembered her mother and father, making her go without dinner some nights, because she had been so naughty during the day. Watching her other siblings eat and fill their stomachs, when she had been starving all day from her adventures. One would see that as abuse nowadays.

Belle mock sighed and ran her hands over her face. What would it say? It had been a long time coming she supposed. She didn't expect her mortal family to just let her disappear forever and it wasn't hard for someone to find someone else...not these days with internet. Still no internet in the depths of the jungle however. Growling deep and low under her breath, she grabbed the letters and flopped on the couch. She wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep, but now curiousity was killing her.

“Ok...ok…” she calmed herself and decided on the letter from France first. Looked like her father's handwriting from the outside of the letter and she just had a knowing suspicion, when she pulled out the stationary. “Definitely my father,” she leaned back and put her feet up on the coffee table.

Dear Abelle,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have had a hard time finding any of you, I have worried day in and day out as to where you are. I do hope this is reaching you, otherwise my attempt failed again. Please do not feel scared to contact me, I forgive you for leaving. I understand. Do you know where your other siblings are? Patrice, Andre, Isidora or Cyn Aster? I hope you all have found each other in this city called Harper Rock. I thought often about coming to find you all, but funds are limited. I haven't even been home to see your mother, regretfully so.

Your mother had another set of twins last year. I hear she is doing well. She is better off without me I have learned. I feel as though I have ruined all your lives with my extreme ways. Not sure if you're happy to hear, I am not following the same path as I once was. I think that is why you all left, but please know that I love you, and please tell your siblings that no matter where they may be. I haven't investigated Harper Rock and please don't think I have you either. This was not my intentions, I only wish to know you are doing well. You can use this address to write back, which I truly hope you do, if even it's three words to know you forgive me. I love you Abby.

Your Father John.

Belle read with tears in her eyes and by the time he signed his words away, she felt the tears pouring down her cheeks. She used the back of her sleeve to wipe them away, but they kept falling. She hadn't cried like this in so long, and it had never felt like this before. For a moment she felt almost homesick, but the feeling passed when she really thought about it. She had made a good life for herself here, though it was dark and full of chaos most days and nights, it was still her home. She was known, she was fierce and she did what she wanted. Not even France would have given her this opportunity.

Twins again huh? ‘Wonder how they turned out’, she thought to herself and shrugged. Nothing like her and Cyndale she was sure. She was so happy she didn't have to worry about kids or having a large family. She didn't have enough love or emotion left anymore for that sort of thing. Some vamp families loved building and growing, but she liked solitude, or at least she claimed so. Belle looked down at the other letter and decided one set of emotions was good enough for the night. Crying wasn't in her nature, she wasn't at all proud of herself. Tossing the paper on the table, she peeled her tired body from her spot and trudged to her bedroom, throwing herself over the edge of the bed, her fingers grasping for blankets. She’d have to sleep on all this, if she was to make any sense of it all.

[Abelle Broussard]

Today was a 9-5 day, and it seems even though she had the day walker experience, she was still feeling sluggish. Tonight she would have to be in bed early if she wanted to be any type of sane. News of her father had weighed heavily on her mind for the past day. She seriously wondered if the man was stupid enough to show up at her door one day. Maybe her idea of getting rid of this apartment and moving into the sanctuary was truly a good idea, At first she wondered how her father got all her info, but there was no hiding when you held businesses in a city still mostly ruled by humans. And even that bridge was starting to get rocky. More and more humans were starting to know the actuality of what was happening in their city. This was NOT a good time for her Father to come.At all.

Belle wasn’t completely tired this afternoon evening however, and with the days becoming shorter, darkness would be here rather soon...just needed to wait it out another half hour or so. She wondered where Adley might be, but pushed the thought out of her mind quickly. When it came to him, he really put her in her feelings and right now she wasn’t fond of feeling ****. As a child she remembered being interested in so many things...fun things. She was great at fishing...spearing more like it. Music she loved.Many of the actual village kids, had taught her ancient instruments in Africa. She had a knack for that. Loved to sing but that was shortly lived because every time she tried to sing , here came little Laurentine, overpowering with her little angelic voice. The thoughts all made her laugh, as she was taken by a few years. There was no doubt they have fun times.

There was also that one time,when a baby antelope chased a tiny Belle, damn near up into a tree. Panic and fear, the girl climbed higher and higher until...well she couldn't get down. She remembered crying, angrily for hours. Her father continuously asking her why she was so angry. It was more anger than fear. Still to this day she couldn't even explain why she was so mad. Perhaps it was because the beast interrupted a fun time playing, it just made her mad. She had even been punished right after for her foul attitude. She knew they knew she was special and not in a good way. She heard her mother say countless nights, that she thought the devil had claimed her and her brother Andre. She would never confront her back then, but best believe she would now if given the chance.

She was trying very hard today to be as least evil as possible, work went ok and now maybe she would indulge in some old time fun. Belle took the transits home and wasted no time in finding jeans and a sweatshirt. It was dark already and going over to the docks to go fishing would probably be pretty peaceful. She wondered how well she would do here in the rivers with just a spear. Given she had better aim and strength than ever in her life, she bet she would be a pro.

‘Fishing night at the docks!! ‘ she decided in her head, then thought again with an evil thought. ‘take the fish and stuff them up people’s tail pipes on their cars’ perfect way to end a night.