V E N O M ~ (A Short Story) (By: Mikayla Holden)

by Kay in ...

V E N O M

By: Mikayla Holden

     Isabell put her book aside, staring off into the wide open space menicinly. She watched as a humming bird flew to the flowers that were on the porch and she sighed, shutting the book.

     Slumping back in her chair, Isabell bit her lip, "I wish everything was different..." She forced a smile as another humming bird joined the one who was currently resting on the flowers pedals. Her smile faded as the moments died and the hummingbirds flew out into the sky.

     Isabell let her hand glide across her dog, Hallie's fur coat. A breeze gently stired the skin of Isabell and she crossed her legs, sitting up. The side of her face fell to her hand, subconciously, as she continued to watch the butterfly's fly around, hearing as her dog panted due to the heat. It wasnt really that hot out, maybe a few degree's over 70... but then again, in Northern Carolina that wasn't a bad tempature for the day.

     Standing, Isabell walked across the porch to the stairs and climbed down, absentmindedly, her shoulders slumped, eyes drooping, and her arms flailing from side to side pointlessly. Haliie, of course, had jumped up and was following her master when Isabell stopped at the edge of the woods that surrounded her house. She looked in nervously, ignoring her dogs whining and saw hardly anything but scattered leaves, tree trunks, and darkness. Reguardless she allowed her feet to carry her forward. As though she werent alive, she walked through the forrest, pushing through branches, keeping forward till she was too far in to tell where she had come from. But that didnt matter... she had no life... her parents were seperated, her two younger brothers, killed... and her dad was abusive. Her mom didn't care for her and she had no connected family except for grandparents who wanted nothing to do with their deserted and depressed grandchild.

     Isabell stopped, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The scent was different... it was fresh, pine and cedar tree smells vibrating softly into her nostrils. She let her breath out, looking up into the sky... there was only one problem... there wasnt a sky. All she saw was the tops of the tree's as blackness surrounded her. She looked down and her eyes bulged seeing a snakes fangs jug into her leg. Isabell screamed in agony as she fell to the ground, the cotton mouth slithering away.

     Isabells mouth fell open in pain and she looked to her bleeding wound. Instantly her back fell against the tree and her bare feet curled up in pain. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, as she looked to her dog. Hallie whined looking to her owner, turning and rushing away. Isabell looked away and felt darkness surround her. Her head spun as her eyes shut and her leg swelled. It was only moments later that Isabell was swallowed into darkness, unsure if she would ever get to see daylight again...

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     Isabell's eyes opened and she quickly looked around. She let her eyebrows furrow as she noted her surroundings. She was back on the porch, as she had earliar and she cocked her head as the two hummingbirds flew to the flowers like they had before. Her lips curled in as she shook her head, looking down at her leg. There was nothing there to indicate a snake bite.

     "What a weird dream..." Isabell stood, going inside and wandered into the kitchen. She looked to her mother who was humming, washing the dishes. Isabell cocked her head, raising her eyebrows.

     "Isabell, darling! I am so glad you are here, can you please set the table?" Isabell took a deep breath.

     "Don't I always eat in my room and you in your study?" I mused, taking the plates. She turned around giving me a confused expression.

     "Now when did we ever do that? Call your father and brother down for supper please, when your finished of course." Isabell looked to the stairs then back at her mom. "And stop setting the table for two, your dad and brother have to eat also."

     Isabell walked over to her mom. Maybe she was having bad memories, or was halucinating. She touched her mothers shoulder gently.

     "Mom, you and dad are divorced, remember? And... Mikey is-" Isabell's mother whipped her head around.

     "Isabell... this is not a time for games, now call your father and brother down, this instant!" She scowled, bringing the food to the table. Isabell went to the stairs.

     "Dad... dinner!" She yelled, still confused. As sure as day Isabell's dad came bounding down the stairs, smiling... along with Mikey... her little brother. The one who was supposed to be dead. As he ran down the stairs Isabell made a lung for him, squeezing him tight. He just stood there for a minute before shoving his sister away.

     "Love you too, sis, but still... why would you-oh...Isabell... what did you do this time?" Mikey put his folded arms across his chest and Isabell grinned slyly.

     "Nothing, I promise."

     "Sure, sure... that is what they all say." With that her family gathered at the dinner table... if this was a dream, she hoped it would never end.