Jackson (short story)

Her parents bickered in the living room and she played loud music to block it out, it all seemed to be going downhill…"1

Jackson crashed into her room and turned on her music. She listened to it in silence and wondered why she was alive. 2

"Jackson!" Jackson cringed at the sound of her father's voice. "Come downstairs NOW!"3

Plodding downstairs, Jackson wondered what her father was mad about this time. She didn't have to wait too long to find out, though.4

"How are you getting D's in science and math? What is wrong with you? Why can't you be smart? You stupid girl! All you do is eat and waste MY money that I worked hard on to make! And what do you give me in return? NOTHING! But then again that's what you are, isn't it? A big load of nothing! Go to your room. And don't count on getting supper!"5

Jackson, used to such torment and ridicule, walked slowly back to her room. Although she had heard everything a million times, she had never gotten immune to the pain she felt when her dad called her stupid. She looked at herself in the mirror and wondered how many more days she could go without food before she died. 30 pounds underweight, Jackson had skipped more meals in the past year than she had eaten. She tried to ignore the growl in her stomach as she slowly got her pajamas on and went to bed.6

Jackson woke up to the sound of a crash on the wall. She didn't need to wonder for more than two seconds, because she knew her dad was drunk again. Jackson packed her books into her bookbag, climbed out the window, and headed toward school. She had learned her lesson last week when she went downstairs while her dad was drunk. There were still scars left over from that fiasco. Jackson winced just thinking about it. 7

At school, she just went through the day. No one talked to her and she didn't talk to anyone. She was invisible even to the teachers. After school, still starving, she dragged herself home and went straight to bed. She didn't even have enough energy to try and get something to eat.8

A few hours later, Jackson woke up. She looked out her window and saw an apple growing just within her reach. Grabbing it as fast as she was able, she finally ate some food. Jackson felt much better and went downstairs to look for more food. Her dad still wasn't home, which was a blessing. All she could find, though, was a loaf of bread. 9

Jackson slowly took the large knife from the knife drawer and began cutting it. Just then, she heard a bang. In an instant, she knew it was her dad. He had come home early. And it didn't take a rocket scientist to find out he was drunk. Again.10

Whirling into the kitchen, Jackson's knife stared at her. 11

"Why are you eating my food?" he demanded to know.12

Jackson just stared at the ground, the knife still in her hand. Her dad began to step dangerously closer to her.13

"I asked you a question. Now answer!" He grabbed the hand without the knife and used it to hurl her across the room. It would have been normal torment for Jackson, except this time the arm with the knife buckled under her. 14

Jackson saw herself falling straight for the knife. There was nothing she could do. She felt a deep pain in her chest and knew that she was going to die. 15

Struggling for air, Jackson realized something. "No one will care if I die," she thought. Then, closing her eyes, Jackson was peaceful for the first time.16