i. questionable family life

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CHAPTER ONE.

[ i. questionable family life ]



























     FAMILY LIFE ISN'T talked about in the suburb of Cleveland, it's quiet; almost too quiet. Some of the most loudest people have the most heart aching secrets you can't even imagine. The ones who put on a smile everyday once they go to school, frown once they even think about going home. Family life is such a delicate topic to talk about that nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.

     Harriet Orman always got out twenty minutes before it was actually time for school to end that day because she needed to catch the bus. Not the school bus, but the city bus in order to pick her five year old brother up from daycare because of the fact her single father was unable to. Harriet let out an exhausted sigh as she sat down on the bus stop bench, all alone only with one earbud in listening to a podcast explaining the 'Haunted Carmichael Case' and all the information police "seemed" to have left out.

     She stared down at her lap and played with her thumbs, paying attention to the male speaking. "What we know about this . . . Benjamin Carmichael guy is that he, he basically felt no remorse for anyone. His mother was physically abused by his father when he was younger, which is what we believe to have inspired Carmichael to turn completely psychotic and go after at least 130 people." The dark-skinned girl shuddered and let out a deep breath, taking all of the gruesome information in.

     Harriet became so invested with the events that were revolved around Benjamin that she wasted countless nights examining and investigating the case. She thought it was so bizarre and horrific that she needed to know his motive, the information behind the victims and what they had in common, and why the case was swept under as like it never existed and was only a urban legend.

     The bus approached up in front of her, catching her eye. She let out a groan as she stood up and walked towards the bus. The doors opened, seeing the too familiar bus driver. "Back again, Harriet?" Thomas Winifred, the elderly bus driver, asked letting out a chuckle. She repaid him with a smile and dropped a dollar into the payment box.

     "I could never get tired of you, Tom," she joked as she patted him on the shoulder once she made it up the steps, "you know where I'm going." He nodded before taking off as Harriet slid into a seat where she sat everyday. She sat her backpack by her feet and glanced out the window once they started to move. She lied her head on the window and watched as her surroundings continued to pass her.

     "You know, three teen boys on Halloween visited the so-called 'haunted' Carmichael house and two of the three boys went missing and were never found," explained one of the hosts of the podcast.

     "What happened to the other boy?" The co-host asked curiously.

     "He was found hanged behind his parents' house and in his note, it said he 'couldn't live with the horror' he had witnessed."








     Scout playfully nudged Ingrid as they both walked down the hill, laughing about the most stupidest thing. "I swear, Manny Blandsin is so fucking stupid for getting caught smoking," Scout laughed, making Ingrid laugh as well.

     "Honestly, I'm glad he got caught because he's stupid," Ingrid replied with a couple giggles.

     "As fuck," Scout finished before hearing his father honk the horn, indicating for him to hurry. "Gotta go, Grid. See you in a bit." The boy waved before walking a few feet and opening the front door and getting in. He shut the door behind him and sighed, sitting his bag in the floor of the car.

     "How was school?" His father asked curiously. Scout merely shrugged and stared out the window.

     "It was okay, I guess," Scout softly replied as he leaned back more into his seat.

     "Do good on your test?" The boy's breath hitched, knowing if his father found out he didn't get at least an 'A', he would get in serious trouble.

     Scout got a 'C'.

     "I did good," Scout lied, showing a convincing grin. The back door opened and in came his older brother Marcus, who groaned at the fact that Scout had the front seat. Marcus kicked the seat in front of him out of anger, leaving Scout to bite his tongue to not respond. His father sighed at the boys' immaturity and pressed on the gas pedal. "Can I go to Ingrid's house at five?" Scout hesitantly asked, hoping his father will say 'yes'.

     "Is that your girlfriend?" Marcus teased, receiving an annoyed glare from Scout himself.

     "Do your chores first and you can go." Scout sighed in relief and turned back in his seat, pleased.













     Devyn Howard stood beside Briar as she waited for her mother to pick her up. Just as she turned her attention to the cars pulling in front of the school and recognized her mother's rundown, minivan. "Bye Briar, hope everything turns out with you getting a binder. See you later," Devyn exclaimed nicely before walking down the hill to get into her mother's car. As she approached the front seat causally, her stepfather, unexpectedly, rolled down the window and motioned for her to get into the back seat.

     Devyn froze and stared at her mother with a pleading look, desperately wanting the front seat and desperately wanting her stepfather to move. She shook her head and also motioned for her to get in the back. She let out a groan before slinging the back door open and throwing her stuff in the seat. She slid into the seat and closed the door behind her, pouting. "Nice to see you too, Devy," Gary, her stepfather, chuckled jokingly.

     "Don't call me that," she muttered underneath her breath as she stared out the window. Her mother looked back at her daughter, disappointed. She whispered a few words to her husband before pressing on the gas pedal. Replaying in her mind, Devyn thought about how different it was when her father was here and was around. Even though she doesn't recall many memories, she thought how it would be "better" without her stepfather in her life. "Ingrid wants to know if I can go to her house for a few hours."

     "With that attitude you had? No," her mother sternly stated. Devyn's jaw dropped and scoffed.

     "Come on, please," the desperate girl whined, practically begging.

     "Apologize to your father," her mother instructed. Devyn's breath hitched and instantly uncomfortable at her mother's usage of the word 'father'. "I mean, Gary. Apologize to Gary and then you can go." Julian, Devyn's younger brother, looked at her with attitude. Devyn looked back grimacing eyes.

     "But-"

     "No but's, apologize." Gary turned around and stared at the girl, making her uncomfortable and look away. She pursed her lips together, not wanting to apologize in general. Devyn finally gave in, knowing if she didn't, her mother wouldn't think twice in saying no for hanging out with Ingrid next time.

     "Sorry," Devyn whispered, refusing to make eye contact. Gary nodded and turned back around, not saying a word back. The car ride was awkward and quiet, just like their family.

     Awkward and quiet.













Liam Conners said a quick "goodbye" to Layla (once he walked past her) as he walked to his father's car, immediately seeing his eldest brother in the front seat and his other older brother in the back. He sighed and without word, got in the backseat and shut the door. "Hey, kiddo," his father chuckled, catching Liam's attention.

"Oh . . . uh, hey," Liam spoke softly, sitting his backpack beside him. He fastened his seatbelt and leaned back more into the seat, trying to muster up the courage to ask a harmless question.

"You ready for football tonight?" Liam's eyes widened and face palmed himself in his mind. The brunette huffed and nervously but his lip.

     "Actually . . . I was thinking about going to Ingrid's if I can?" Liam asked softly, very hesitant. His father stated back at him through the rear-view mirror, very unpleased. Liam gulped the lump in his throat and sighed, knowing his father's answer.

     "You screwed up," Daniel, his eldest brother, sighed and shook his head.

     "The playoffs are next week and you've gone without missing a day of football," his father spoke sternly, almost angrily that his son even asked. Liam refused to make eye contact as he continued to stare outside as he watched the buildings and trees pass by. "What makes it different now?!"

     "Nothing," Liam whispered underneath his breath. His father came to a stop light and turned around to face his younger son, who was busy staring out the window.

     "Danny will be leaving a legacy at Oakland, Carter will be too!" Carter, Liam's other older brother, smiled pleasingly at the compliment. "But you won't be if you keep being lazy and sit on your ass all the time acting like a girl!" His father exclaimed loudly, watching Liam close his eyes to try not to cry. The man turned around and shook his head disappointingly. "Five o'clock is when practice starts, you ride with your brothers."

     Liam nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat as he refused to look at anyone in the car. His father started to drive slowly, the destination is the middle school where his younger sister, Ruby, goes to school. He choked back his tears and stared down at his lap. The only thing he thought was one thing and one thing only.

He was gonna skip practice.

















Caroline Ritter stepped onto the stairs of the bus, holding her breath due to the unexplainable smell that filled the air. Screaming kids were throwing paper balls at each other, the upper classmen were smoking in the back, and the middle schoolers were drawing on the seats. The brunette sighed and chose to sat in a random empty bus seat, sitting her stuff beside of her so nobody sat beside her.

She crossed her legs and plugged her earbuds in to listen to the music so it would drown out the annoyance around her. She glanced out the dirty window and saw parents of her peers being picked up and clenched her jaw, trying to not become emotional.

She lived with her grandparents after her mother was horrifically murdered and her abusive, alcoholic father took care of her before he ultimately drank himself to death.

Caroline would always dream of having the stereotypical nuclear family. Her and her stay-at-home mother, her hardworking father, and her baby brother who didn't even have a chance at life. She envied those who had parents and siblings. The thought of parents made her uncomfortable and upset. So, she strayed away from the topic and would snap at anyone who did (yet, she didn't want to).

     The brunette slowly put each earbud in her ears and before she got a chance to turn the music on full volume, one sentence filled the air.

     "I hate my Mom and Dad because they won't let me do anything fun!" Caroline shot up from her seat without no hesitation and looked back, seeing who said the sentence. She saw a boy laughing amongst his friends and knew it was him.

     "Hey, you!" She yelled, catching the immature boy's attention. "Just be grateful you actually have parents, you little shit!" She fell back into her seat and folded her arms, biting the inside cheek as she tried not to cry. Although, was unsuccessful as a couple years escaped and rolled down her face. Caroline quickly wiped them away sat up straighter, trying to "suck it up". She turned on her music on full blast and drowned out everything.

     Even her emotions.




















     Briar Gray walked out of the school with Devyn by his side just to be friendly. They stood there for a moment before the mixed girl noticing her mother's car and took off. "Bye Briar, hope everything turns out with you getting a binder. See you later!" He waved back at her and smiled at the nice luck she had given him.

     Briar wasn't always a male, he was born as a female. As he started to get older, he noticed he wasn't attracted to "feminine" items, yet, "manlier" items. His parents thought it was strange, but thought nothing of it due to the fact he was just growing up and trying new things. However, he knew something wasn't right as he would see himself differently.

     He would always be upset at himself when he would look at himself in the mirror. He would imagine himself with short hair and a flat chest. Facial hair like his father, not a womanlike face he was born with. So, the thoughts of being a female or a male scared him. Countless nights were wasted due to the fact he would stay up just thinking for hours about what he was and who he was as a person.

     He always thought because since he was born a "girl", he was automatically a girl and couldn't do anything to fix it. His body showed him one thing, but his brain told him differently. The trucks he played with when he was still classified as a girl, the boylike haircut he got for his seventh birthday, the nights wasted due to the fact of him fighting with himself on the topic, and the disappointment of him still looking like a girl when he woke up all added up to him. 

     Briar was a male trapped in a female's body.

     He officially found this out when he was twelve after going to a friend's house and dressing up like a boy just for fun. Everything was so clear to him, it all made sense. Research was his main priority and refused to tell anyone till he knew exactly how he would handle the situation.

     Briar first told Devyn when he was thirteen in eighth grade. She was confused at first not knowing what "transgender" meant, but after he explained it, she was completely supportive of him and helped him with his coming out process. After he told his whole friend group (who were super supportive), he told his parents at the age of fourteen, right before freshman year. Throughout of him finding himself, he struggled with moderate to severe depression. It was a very dark time for him and still is a dark time for him, but after he found out who he was, he became happier.

     His parents reaction were hesitant and confused, but soon were super supportive in his decision and now call him by his pronouns "he/they". His parents started to work even harder, making enough money for him to start his transition due to the fact his family doesn't have much money. He appreciated his parents doing this, but had made his depression worsen due to the fact he's alone most of the time.

     Briar started to walk down the sidewalk, holding onto his backpack as his earbuds dangled from his ears. He knew his mother wasn't gonna be home till eight at night and his father want gonna be home till ten, so he could just go to Ingrid's house without any questions. He stared at the ground as his feet guided him. He looked up and saw the Carmichael house, his eyes widening in horror. Molding boards were nailed over the door and the outlines of the windows, the house covered in mold and dirt, a black picket fence surrounding the whole house with the grass growing uncontrollably. It was horrifying.

A chill went down his spine as he started to walk away from it, convinced someone was watching him. He was right, someone was.















Delancy Claire carried her purse as she and her posse walked to Katherine Jones's pearl white convertible. Katherine, also known as 'Kitty', is basically the leader of the "popular girls", the one who everyone strays away from. Delancy awkwardly trailed behind her as Kitty opened her car door. "We going to the mall today?" Kitty asked as she watched Delancy and the rest of the girls get in her car. Delancy maneuvered her way to the front seat and shut the car door back, looking over at Kitty.

     "I'm bringing Jason with us," Ryan Chalamet giggled as she climbed over part of the car and fell into the backseats.

     "Jason Lake?" Dawson Gilmore gasped in a whisper as he sat in the middle of the seats. Ryan nodded excitedly, resulting in them both squeal.

     "I don't know if my parents will let me," Delancy nervously chuckled, showing an uncouraged smile and looked down at her lap.

     "Your parents don't care what you do," Kitty reminded harshly, "you always come."

     "Yea, Lance," Katie Lane added as she leaned over Kitty's seat, "what's so different now?" Delancy shrugged sheepishly and sighed to herself. She knew if she didn't go with them, rumors would be spread and her reputation would most likely deteriorate.

     "Kitty, I could end your rep' in a millisecond, so how about you shut up and drive," Delancy sneered as she clenched her teeth, watching the brunette roll her eyes and put her car into 'reverse', beginning to pull out of the parking lot. The car ride was silent, nobody refused to say a word. Delancy was right, she could end Kitty's reputation very quickly due to all the power she has over the high-school. And her parents made sure of it.

     Her father owned a multimillion dollar company in computer applications that was based worldwide and her mother was a host of an interior design show on television which instantaneously made Delancy approachable just for attention. People would only become her friend due to the fact of her wealth and social status. Her parents soon started to care less and less about the girl as time went on, but yet, makes sure she doesn't ruin the perfect image.

     That's what Delancy learned and grew off of, becoming a supposed "dumb, rich snob" to those who aren't in the clique. Outsiders hated her, but acted like they loved and adored her because of who she is. Insiders live and breathe off of her because she helps boost their social statuses up even higher than they already are.

She knew she would be able to go if she told her parents she was gonna go to the mall with her "friends", which she wasn't. Instead, she had other plans.

















Layla Clifford walked out of school immediately hearing a car honk, glancing around to see her grandmother's vehicle parked by the school. Layla quickly waved goodbye to Maura Denali, her best friend since fifth grade, and ran to her grandma's car. She opened the passenger door and got inside, quickly shutting it behind you. "Dad out again?" Layla asked slightly disappointed as she sat her stuff in the floor beside her feet.

     Her grandmother sighed and nodded, shaking her head in disappointment. "Out with a blonde this time, he said he was taking her to the park." Layla nodded and pursed her lips together.

     "Ingrid wants to know if

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