Short Stories for you to read. These may be republished at a later date, and made longer.

Inside The Storm" (Previously published in the Fairy Tails Anthology)

Cassandra Jones 

BLURB: Addie and Donavan never got along with their stepmother. She always seemed cold-hearted and cruel to everyone.

Veronica made sure Donavan was taken out of the picture. Addie was much easier to control.

After nearly four years Donavan is back and ready to protect Addie. Can they escape the wrath of the woman with an icy heart? Or will they live forever inside the storm?

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     Chapter One

Mirrors had never really bothered him. That is until he met his stepmother. His life had changed after she came into the picture.

She had always been cold toward him, and his sister. It was as if her heart was made of ice. She couldn’t seem to love anyone other than herself. 

She had only married their father so she could have someone to do all her work. That, and his money. He hated the way she used mirrors as a form of punishment. It was worse with his sister though.

Sweet little Addie had never bothered anyone. She spent most of her time with their cat, Toby. The cat was the only reason Addie still smiled.

Donavan stared at his reflection for a long moment. He wasn’t a child anymore. He shouldn’t let his stepmother push him around the way she did. He just knew if he tried anything Addie would pay the price for it.

“Do you think she’s coming home tonight?” Addie sat down on his bed. 

“Let’s hope not.” Donavan sat next to her. “Maybe her and dad will stay gone tonight.”

“They wouldn’t do that.” She smiled up at him. “You’re only fourteen. Daddy isn’t going to leave us alone overnight.”

She was right about that. Too bad he wouldn’t leave his new wife somewhere else for a while. That way they could get a good night’s sleep. 

A loud crash came from the kitchen. He knew what that meant. She was home and she was angry. It was going to be a long night.

Addie hugged him as tight as she could. She had never liked their stepmother. It was like she knew something about her was wrong. 

“Addie where are you?”

“I don’t want to go in there.” Addie looked at him with pleading eyes.

“You'll be all right.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Take Toby and go to your room. Hide in your closet and don’t come out.”

“Okay.” She picked up the cat. “What about you?”

“Go on.” He opened her bedroom door. “Remember what I said.”

Donavan went down the hall to the kitchen. Veronica was staring out the window. He wasn’t letting her anywhere near his sister. 

His father wouldn’t be home for at least another hour or two. That meant he needed to find a way to distract her. If his dad was here she wouldn’t be as bad. She would still be mean to Addie though.

He leaned against the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets. How in the world could he distract this woman? She was completely insane. She was mean and heartless.

“Where is she?” Veronica turned to face him. “I know you told her to hide from me. It won’t work, Donavan.”

“What won’t work?” He demanded.

“You can’t protect her forever.” She smiled at him. 

He hated that smile. It made him want to hit her with something. If he did that she would make things worse for Addie. He had to control his temper around her.

She started to go past him, but he stepped in front of her. He couldn’t block her path forever, but he could stall her for a bit. As angry as she was, her mirror punishment would be worse that ever.

“Move out of my way.” She growled. “Now.”

“She didn’t do anything wrong.” Donavan crossed his arms over his chest. “I refuse to let you anywhere near her.”

“Move.” Veronica screamed. 

She was now inches from his face. He could feel her breath on his skin, see the rage in her eyes. She had never been this furious before.

She pushed him aside, going down the hall. Donavan followed her to Addie's room. He stood in front of the closet door. No way was she opening this door.

He could hear Addie crying from inside the closet. He had made a promise to protect her. He would do that until he breathed his last breath.

Veronica walked over to the window, looking out. This was the calm before the storm. Whatever she had planned would happen very soon.

Donavan stood his ground. If she planned to do something to anyone it would be him. Addie wasn’t going to be hurt by her ever again.

“Addie, get out here.” Veronica yelled. “If I have to come in there, it will be a lot worse.”

“Leave me alone.” Addie called from the closet.

“Get out here.” Veronica came closer to them. “Move, Donavan. “

“Not a chance.” He crossed his arms over his chest. 

Veronica tried to push him aside. He wasn’t budging this time. Addie needed him. He couldn’t let Veronica hurt her.

She left the room, coming back with a knife. She always threatened him with it. He was used to it. She never used it though.

She grabbed his arm, pulling him out of the way. He watched the closet door open. What was Addie doing? Why was she coming out?

“I'll do whatever you want.” Addie held the cat tighter.

“Go to the bathroom.” Veronica pushed her through the house.

Donavan made his way to the bathroom. He had to stop this from happening. Addie would go along with whatever Veronica told her. She was too scared to do otherwise. 

His little sister was already standing in front of the mirror. She put the cat on the floor. He watched it run out of the room. Even Toby knew something bad was going to happen. 

“How long do I have to stand here?” Addie asked her.

“As long as I want you too.” Veronica snapped. “Now, shut up.”

Addie would have to look at her reflection for as long as Veronica wanted. Most of the time she had to keep her eyes on Veronica’s. If she moved her face would be slammed into the mirror. 

Not this time. He wasn’t letting it happen. He would make sure this ended tonight. He pulled Addie behind him. He knew she wouldn’t stand up to their stepmother.

Veronica came at them with the knife. Donavan smacked her hand, making her drop it. He snatched it from the floor.

“You stay away from her.” He snapped.

“Give me that knife.” Veronica lunged at him.

Addie screamed as the knife went into Veronica’s side.

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        Chapter Two

   Addie watched her stepmother get into her car. She was glad she was going to visit family for the weekend. She would make the best of her free time.

She hadn’t told her father yet, but she was planning to visit Donavan this weekend. She hadn’t seen him in almost four years. Not since the night Veronica had made sure he went away.

He hadn’t  meant to stab her with the knife. Veronica had told their father he had done it on purpose. She had told anyone who would listen how he hated her so much he wanted to kill her. 

Addie had been too afraid to speak up. Donavan had told her not to get involved. He didn’t  want anything to happen to her. He had been sent to a juvenile detention center until he turned eighteen. 

His birthday was only a few weeks away. She wanted to have him back in her life permanently. She wanted him to protect her.

She felt something brush up against her leg. Looking down, she smiled at her cat. Toby had always been here to make her feel better. She couldn’t imagine life without him.

“It’s okay, Toby.” Addie went into the kitchen. “She won’t be bothering us for the next few days.”

“Addie, where are you?” Her father called out.

“In the kitchen,  Daddy.” Addie grabbed a soda from the refrigerator. 

“I have to take Veronica to the airport.” He came into the room. “Make sure you lock the door until I get back.”

“I will.” She sank down on a chair. “Dinner will be ready when you get back.”

“Get the laundry started too.” He went out the door.

Addie shook her head. She was getting tired of doing the things her stepmother was supposed to do. She did all the chores and cooking here.

Veronica was the worst stepmother ever. She was selfish and hateful. It had gotten worse since Donavan had left. How could anyone be that cold-hearted?

“Well, I guess we should get laundry started.” Addie kissed Toby on the top of his head. “I have homework to get to later.”

Addie went to the laundry room. She hated doing Veronica’s laundry. Everything had to be perfect. Addie even had to put them away for her.

She preferred doing her father’s laundry. He wasn’t too particular about stuff like that. As long as they were clean he could care less if they were folded perfectly. 

Her thoughts went to her brother once again. She had been looking for a way to get him back home. If only, she wasn’t afraid to tell everyone the truth about that night. It wouldn’t matter now anyway. 

He had paid the price for her being a coward. If she hadn’t  been so terrified of Veronica, he wouldn’t have had to protect her. She was the reason he was in that place. 

Addie started the washer, before going back to the kitchen. She could make dinner while it was washing. She wished they could just order take out. She was sick of cooking.

“Addie, we’re back.” Her father came into the kitchen with Veronica behind him.

“I thought you were visiting family?” She chewed on her lower lip.

“Shut up and make dinner.” Veronica snapped.

“I am.” Addie turned back to the stove.

“Don’t be a smart mouth.” Veronica slammed her hand down on the counter. 

“Veronica, it’s not her fault.” Her father said. “You got into an argument with your brother.”

“How do you know that, Burke?” She yelled. “She probably called them to start trouble.”

“I didn’t call anyone.” Addie looked at her. “I don’t  even know anyone in your family.”

“Sure you don’t.” Veronica stormed out of the room.

Her father looked at her, sighing. He knew what tonight would be like. If Veronica wasn’t happy, no one would be. Of course,  she was never happy.

She knew her father would take Veronica’s side. He always did. It was the only way he could keep her from fighting with him. It seemed like he cared more about her than his own children. 

“Finish dinner.” He started to leave. “Don’t  do anything to make her mad.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Addie felt the tears stinging her eyes. “You always blame me. I wish Donavan was here.”

“He is never coming back here.” Veronica came back in. “Don’t you ever mention his name again.”

“You’re not my mother.” Addie screamed. “You can’t keep me away from my brother.”

Addie went down the hall to her room, slamming the door behind her. She laid down across the bed. The tears wouldn’t stop. She had to get away from here somehow.

She wanted Donavan to come and take her away. She didn’t care what her father said anymore. She didn’t  want to be here with either of them.

Why had they taken Donavan away from her? Veronica hated her more than ever. Her father acted like she didn’t  exist most of the time. Maybe she should be as cold-hearted as Veronica?

The woman hated everyone in the world. She wasn’t capable of loving another human being. It was as if her heart was covered in ice.

Toby jumped up on the bed, cuddling against her. She pulled him into a hug. He was all she had left. She wanted to take him and run away.

“Toby, what are we going to do?” She wiped her tears away. “I can’t  do this anymore.”

“Addie, get in here and finish dinner.” Veronica  yelled from the kitchen.

“Do it yourself.” She yelled back. “Leave me alone.”

“Addie.”

She looked over at her father. How long had he been standing there? He was most likely there to yell at her again. He always yelled at her when Veronica was throwing one of her tantrums.

She didn’t care what he had to say. All he cared about was his precious wife. He hadn’t cared about her or Donavan for a long time.

“Do what she tells you.” He sat down on the edge of her bed. “Please.”

“Why should I?” Addie sat up. “Daddy, I didn’t do anything wrong. I was only trying to make dinner. She started yelling at me.”

“Addie, go finish dinner.” He shook his head. “I don’t  know why you always have to make things worse for yourself.”

What was he talking about? How was she making things worse? Veronica was the heartless one in this family. She was through taking the fall for that woman.

“I won’t.” Addie yelled. “She can make it herself. She can do her own laundry too.”

“Addie, that’s enough.” He stood up. “Do what I told you, now.”

Addie followed him into the kitchen. She had no intention of doing what he said. Why should she have to be treated so badly every single day? He should be protecting his child, not his wife.

The look Veronica gave her could have melted her bones. She didn’t  care about those hateful looks either. This stopped now.

“I’m not making dinner.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Or doing laundry, or anything else.”

“Excuse me?” He turned to face her.

“She’s an ungrateful brat.” Veronica shook her head. “She always has been.”

“You’re the reason I lost Donavan.” Addie got in her face. “He didn’t  mean to hurt you that night. He was protecting me.”

“That’s not true.” Veronica  looked at her father. “Make her stop.”

“Yes it is.” Addie didn’t back down. “You were punishing me for no reason. He took the knife from you. You came at him.”

“Wait, are you saying it was an accident?” Her father looked from one to the other. “Addie, why didn’t you tell me that sooner?”

“Because it’s  not true, Burke.” Veronica told him.

“You did it to get me out of the way.”

Addie spun around coming face to face with Donavan. He couldn’t  be here. He would get in trouble. 

She hugged him as tight as she could. She didn’t  care how he had gotten there. She didn’t want to ever let him go again.

“Donavan? What are you doing here?”

“It’s nice to see you to Dad.” Donavan shook his head. “I see nothing has changed here.”

“You’re not supposed to be here.” Veronica yelled. “Get out of my house.”

“I will.” Donavan  put his arm around Addie. “As soon as Addie is ready to go.”

“Go where?” Their father asked. “Donavan,  did you run away from that place?”

“No.” He tossed some papers to their father. “The judge decided to let me out early. He tried to reach you.”

“That doesn’t mean you can take her anywhere.” Veronica smiled at him. “She is staying here until we tell her to leave.”

“It’s  all there in those papers.” He smiled back at her. “ Addie is going to live with me.”

“Really?” Addie looked up at him. “What about Toby?”

“Toby too.” He kissed her forehead. “Go get some clothes together.”

“You don’t  have a place to take her.” Burke raked a hand through his hair.

“He’s right.” Addie chewed her lip.

“I've been out for a couple of months. I just wanted to make sure everything was right before I came here. This is the right thing to do dad.”

Addie hugged her brother again. He had come back for her. He had kept his promise to protect her. She could finally be happy for once.

Chapter Three

Addie walked into the apartment.  She had been living with Donavan for a few months now. He made sure she had everything she wanted or needed. 

Toby ran up to her. She scooped him up, carrying him into the kitchen.  He seemed as happy to have Donavan in his life as she was. 

“Hey, how was school?” Donavan asked coming in.

“All right.” She smiled at him. “I still can’t  believe Daddy let me stay here.”

“He didn’t really have a choice.” He put the bread in the cabinet. “I made sure of that.”

It didn’t  matter anyway. He hadn’t  fought the judge’s decision because he hadn’t cared enough. He had left with Veronica. They had sold the house and moved away.

Veronica was out of her life now. If that meant she had to lose her father, she would take that loss. She had her brother and Toby. She didn’t need her stepmother the ice queen.

She missed her father, probably always would. He had made his decision and she would agree with it. He didn’t  want to be in her life without Veronica. 

Addie sank down on a chair. She had never been happier. It had taken almost four years to get her brother back in her life. That was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

“Thinking about dad again?” Donavan handed her a soda.

“Do you thinks he misses us?” She took a drink of her soda.

“Who knows?” He smiled when Toby jumped up in his lap. “You have me and Toby now.”

“I know, but I still miss him.” Addie admitted. “I don’t miss Veronica though.”

“I don’t doubt that.” He laughed. 

She had missed hearing his laugh and seeing his smile. He had always been her protector. She would never stop needing him in her life.

She needed her brother as much as she needed Toby. He had always been her best friend. He had made her strong enough to finally stand up to the most cold-hearted person she had ever met.

“You still haven’t told me how you got out so early?” Addie looked at him. “You didn’t pay the judge, right?”

“Of course not.” Donavan put his hand on hers. “You helped with that. The letter you sent apologizing for what happened that night.”

“You let him read it.” She guessed.

“I sure did.” He winked at her.

She smiled, watching Donavan play with the cat. They were all finally happy. They would be this way for a long time to come.

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