Chapter 3

**Trigger ⚠️warning domestic violence and abuse scene.**

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As soon as I walk into the house I knew I was going to regret it. Yes I skipped school, but I get tired of having to see the look of pity on everyone’s face especially my best friend Amanda Jennings. We both are 17 and have been friends since we were in diapers. She is the one person I can talk to about what is really going on inside my house.

I stick my head in the door and notice the coast is clear. Or so I thought. As I quietly shut the front door I tip toe my way up the stairs trying to sneak into my room. As soon as my foot barely grazes the first step I am hit with a large cast iron skillet on the back of my head. Barely able to hear, my mother screeches, “ you thought you could get away with it didn’t you, you little TRAMP!!”

Before my father and brothers passed away my mother, Harper, was so sweet loving and nice. Heck she was even beautiful the envy of most women in her close group of friends but she really let herself go. It is almost as of she has just given up and settled and doesn’t care what she looks like. Before at 5’10 with the most alluring mocha creamed skin, long athletic legs dad referred to as legs for days, perfect hour glass figure the perfect amount of curves in the right places, medium length hazelnut hair with sun kissed blonde highlights that when in sun light made her look as if she wore a halo, hazel eyes so full of life and a smile that dad said lit any room she walked in. However now with all the drinking and sleeping from her “special” night time cocktail Mark started giving her recently she has really put on some weight, hair is always in a messy bun dulled from lack of sunlight, always in pair of sweats that have crumbs of something or another caked on so the basic definition of a slob.

I go to rub the back of my head as she jabs the handle into my stomach causing the very breathe to escape my lips. I drop down holding my stomach in pain wishing I never came home. “The school called to let us know you didn’t show up for the sixth time this month!!”, she spat out at me. Grabbing me by my hair she drags me into the kitchen kicking and screaming, as I try to pull it free from her grasp. Still holding my hair my mom continues to punch me in the face as I beg and plead for her to stop. Tasting the metallic taste of blood I’ve always wandered why me, why does she blame me. She grips my throat tightly I could barely breathe and it feels as if she’s crushing my windpipes. I can feel myself slowly fading from lack of oxygen my eyes burn with tears as the darkness begins to welcome me. Seeing me slowly drifting she relaxes the grip on my throat but continues her assault. Punching and kicking me in my stomach, sides, and back smiling sinisterly as if my pain brings her sick pleasure. After what I can only guess has been hours, she grows tired and bored.

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She throws ice cold water on my now beaten and unconscious body and yells,” get this blood cleaned up, then get yourself cleaned up you are a complete eye sore. Hurry your ass back down here to make supper for tonight. Make enough for three.!”

“You’re letting me eat?” I asked weakly.

“Ha you wished! No, you will prepare enough for Mark and myself. Mark is having a friend over. Jessika is kindly helping him get this job so if he doesn’t get it then it would be your fault and you will be punished. You will stay in your room and if there is anything left I might let you have some of that. Now go before I lose my patience.”

As I sit in my room waiting on them to finish eating, the tears begin to flow. My phone goes off and I am tempted to ignore it because moving hurts too much, but I slowly roll over and answer it.

“Hello?”

“Girl where were you today? I’ve been so worried are you ok?” Amanda practically screams in my ear.

“Yeah I uhh…umm. I just didn’t feel good today girl but I will be there in the morning. I just need to go to the grave yard first meet me there?” I tried to sound as of everything was alright but I know I failed.

“Umm… Ok girl I will meet you there.”

I hate lying to her but mom got mad the last time she over heard me and threatened to have Mark make her disappear. After we hung up I got up and went to the bathroom to get dressed for bed dreading having to go clean up from tonights guest. Finally when the house was eerily quiet, I snuck downstairs to grab something to eat making sure I cleaned up any evidence that I ate. As I finally made my way to my room I let the tears fall again as I climbed into my bed my body screaming in agony as I stretched out trying to find the right spot were I didn’t feel as if my own body was trying to kill me. Sleep came quickly but I blame that on the pain. One way or another I would find a way to be free from this place if it’s the last thing I did.

The next morning I woke earlier tham usual and went in the bathroom to get ready for school. I texted Amanda and told her I would be headed to the grave yard soon. Looking in the mirror I looked like the crypt keeper and internally groaned looking over the new bruises. Well looks like today I’m pulling out all the makeup secretly wishing my time would come soon that I can move out because I truly hate makeup but I learned it was better than have everyone stare at me with pity judging me and whispering as I walked past. After I was satisfied with my cover up routine I quickly got dressed in my black sheer leggings topped with a grey sweater dress that stopped mid thigh. I then grabbed my black ankle boots jacket and book bag and tiptoed out the house as quiet as a mouse as not to wake mommy dearest or Mark and head to the grave yard.