Self Doubt

Havermouth, Five Years in the Past

It was past midnight when the Triquetra delivered her to her door. She stumbled into the house, her body exhausted and sore. Her lip was fat and her jaw tender from hitting the grass, her knees and hip were scraped up, and there were bruises that were making themselves known all over her. Come was oozing down her thighs, and she had her first ever hangover.

She had no idea where her school bag was. She could not remember if she had left it at the park, or at the house. She was too tired and battered to care.

As she closed the front door, Cameron’s Ute pulled out onto the road.

“Where in all that’s holy have you been, Aislen Louise Carter?” Her mother demanded at a hiss from behind her.

Aislen groaned and rested her forehead against the door for a moment before turning to face her furious mother. “Out,” she said, and staggered towards her room.

“You look as if you were dragged behind a car! Your hair is a bird’s nest, and your top is stained. Hav