Prologue

Melody's POV:

I shrinked back against the metal door.

He won't find me here. He'll think I went away. He will forget it. He will go back.

All I could hear in this crappy basement was the sound of my heartbeat ringing in my ears and the sound of my rushed breathing.

I closed my eyes wrapping my arms tightly around my knees. I had been in this situation many times, but I was still scared. Just like always.

One minute passed.

Then two...

Then thr-

"You think you can hide here?" He shouted from the door.

I was starting to think he won't come, but once again I was wrong. He did find me.

I froze at my position hoping he wouldn't see me behind the door. His footsteps echoed as he moved forward making my heart almost leap out of my chest. When his footsteps stopped, a feather of hope danced inside me.

I slowly opened my eyes hoping he went away, only to see him right in front of me with an evil smirk. The smirk that always scared me. It'll always scare me.

I stood up with my weak legs as fast as possible.

Nobody could mistake the alcohol reek coming from him. He was too wasted but still chose on doing this like almost every freaking night.

"J-Jordan, I can explain! I was-" I started but he took my hair in a fist and slammed me back on the wall.

Ouch.

Instead of screaming, I whimpered in pain, knowing fully that he'll beat me more if I shout. He pushed me violently as I fell on the floor with a loud thud. The corners of the table slammed in my stomach painfully. I scrambled back trying to miss him but he punched me right in the stomach in a swift movement.

Sudden pain seared through my stomach. I doubled over in pain as he laughed.

"Don't you dare think you can escape! Or hide! You are a slut! Don't you fucking dare lay a hand on my daughter!" He yelled at me.

Lastly, he pushed me back with great force. Satisfied by himself in the end, he turned and exited the basement leaving me all alone as if nothing had happened.

Pain seared through my whole body as I tried getting up.

At least it was a little beating and nothing more. At least he didn't did what he usually did.

Mom would be here by night.

There would be definitely some bruises till night. And I'll have to cover them again. My stomach burned like it had been crushed into pieces. I don't even know how I'll walk properly.

I took the back stairs to my room in the attic.

My room was a perfect shade of light blue. With a small bed in the corner and my fluffy teddies Mom usually bought from the countries she visited. And then there were my canvases.

I opened my bathroom door to take a hot shower to decrease the pain a bit. I took off my clothes slowly, wincing slightly as the lump in my throat increased. My shirt was mixed with traces of blood, my own blood.

I didn't dare look at my body. Because I know what I would find there. Ugly bruises and scars. And I hated them. I hated everyone of them.

The hot water ran down my body making me clench my teeth in pain. But soon it numbed my body taking it all away.

I wrapped a towel around my body and exited the bathroom.

Passing the mirror, I looked at myself.

White skin. Light brown hair. Grey eyes.

It would've sound beautiful and unreal. But the truth was, I had pale white skin, unruly brown hair till my shoulders, and exhausted bags under my grey eyes.

That's how I was. Melody Pierce.

Mom was coming today from Berlin. I should be happy seeing my mother again. But when you are treated like a punching bag every single day, there isn't quite happiness left.

I covered my bruises that showed, through my long sleeved sweater with the concealer as perfectly as possible.

Tying my hair in a ponytail, I took one of the nearest canvas and started painting on it.

Painting was my way of escaping. Escaping reality. I painted till night. Not eating or drinking anything. I painted until the doorbell rang. I painted till I heard Mom's voices.

I took an encouraging sigh and went downstairs.

In the lounge was my mother. Just beautiful like always. A bright smile lit her face as she hugged Alyssa.

"Oh dear, I missed you too." She said addressing Alyssa.

So much for her real daughter who gets punched by them.

"Melody! I thought you were already asleep. I missed you sweetheart." She said turning around and giving me a hug.

I bit my bottom lip to control a wince as she touched my arm.

"I missed you too, Mom." I hugged her back.

Her motherly scent was enough to make me break down, but I didn't. What will I tell her if I start crying all of a sudden? And of course, Jordan was right in front of me, smiling as he had done something he is really proud of.

She pulled away gently as Jordan started piling up plates for dinner.

Dinner went good than always. I usually had to cook, but as mom was coming today, Jordan made it himself.

"Mom, I need to talk to you." I whispered to her as she made her way towards her room after dinner.

Jordan and Alyssa were busy cleaning the dishes and that was the best opportunity for me to talk to her.

"Yes, Melody?" She asked with a smile as she stopped.

I looked at her nervously, not sure how to say it.

I was going to tell her about how Jordan and Alyssa treat me when she's gone. Though this wasn't my first time telling her, I still hoped she'll try to listen this time.

"Mom, I don't think I can live here when you are gone." I said trying to control my tears.

Instead of asking what's wrong, she let out a cheery laugh as if this was a joke.

"Melody, don't you think you're too grown up for that?" She asked warmly.

Oh, mom! You don't know!

"Mom, it's not that. They don't treat me well. They-" I started but she interrupted me.

"Melody, Jordan does everything he can for you. Alyssa is a really sweet girl. Didn't you want such a perfect family, dear? They are doing everything they can for you."

That's when I shut up. She isn't going to listen to me. She doesn't care, does she? She doesn't care what happens to her daughter when she's gone.

I gulped and nodded trying to control the lump in my throat.

"You're right. It was me wrong all along." I muttered and headed for my room.

The was how my life was.

Nobody cared. Nobody listened. And nobody can change that. Because that's what Melody Pierce deserves.