CHAPTER 2 A Deal

　　Sarah’s POV

　　My house, a place I have to call the house at least. I live with my dad since my mum left me when I was ten and suddenly I become very aware of the fact that the next week I am turning 18.

　　Eight years…Eight years since she left. Since she abandoned me. In the beginning, I felt alone and betrayed, I didn’t understand why my own mother would just leave. But when I stayed with my dad I realised why. Why did she have to leave? Not that I forgive her. How can I?! Yes, my dad was physically and emotionally abusing her, so she ran away. Only she completely forgot that she has left a child with an abusive man.

　　At first, it would be one or two slaps a day... but as I grew older he had taken off his anger. He would be with his belt, he punched me or even kicked me. It was a sadistic game for him and a living nightmare for me.

　　One that I wasn’t even in charge of experiencing. I didn’t ask to be born in this world, not by those parents. And some people would ask if I understood why my mother has left. The answer is: Absolutely! But I will never forgive her. Not for leaving. But for taking me with her.

　　When I open the front door, I hear talking from inside and take a moment to stand at the door. I was hoping that it wouldn’t be happening what I thought it would, just another gathering of hose greasy men.

　　Dad/Albert: Ohhh my little genius is back! Look everyone this is my daughter! She just graduated! A smart whore indeed!

　　I see my dad with three of his friends and his boss playing poker. He has a good job at a company. He wears a suit every morning, his hair brushed slick and his mustache worthy of attention. He smiles to everyone and if you were to ask our neighbours they’d tell you he is one of the friendliest people they have ever met. But they don’t know him, Not the man he is behind closed doors. No one would suspect he abuses his own kid, except his friends of course, along with his chief who is sitting in front of me.

　　Sarah: Dad, please!?

　　Dad: What? Do you think that now that you finished this shit you are free to live your life? Ha! You need to bring money in this house bitch! Why don't you sing huh?

　　Sarah: How did you—

　　My voice cracked at his demand. He was clearly yet again drunk. His words don’t really make sense but why would he care anyway? Only what he asked me to do was something that I have sworn to never do for this man. I was singing, since I was a kid, the melody of a song would be my escape from reality, from that living hell, my father has created for me.

　　Dad: Oh please! We live in the same house dammit! Make yourself useful! Why don't you sing something for us?

　　Sarah: No.

　　Dad's friend: Oh come on. It will be fun.

　　Sarah: I said no.

　　Dad: USELESS BITCH! LIKE YOUR MOTHER!

　　My father stands up and approaches me and I shut my eyes closed ready to receive the slap. It’s a ritual I have learned to follow, if I am obedient he might only deliver a slap and then demands me to go to my room. But today that wasn’t the case, because the slap was never delivered. His friend stops him, opening his mouth to suggest the most disgusting thing…

　　Dad's friend: Well she can use her mouth for other things too!

　　Dad: Oh that's actually a good idea! How much do you give me for a blowjob?

　　Dad's friend: For a pure beauty like your daughter, Albert? A hundred on the table.

　　Dad: Deal!

　　I can't believe in my ears, I want someone to kill me right now. The information is hard to process in my brain. My father has done many things, he would beat me multiple times... but that? Sexual abuse coming from his friend? I would think it would never have crossed his mind. But of course, I would be wrong.

　　Dad: What are you waiting for?! Just come suck him!

　　Sarah: You can't mean that dad!

　　His eyes were shiny, I could tell he was completely wasted.

　　Dad: Just do it you bitch!

　　He stands up and drags me from my hair forcing me to kneel in front of his friend who has already started to unbuckle his belt. M father was holding my head in place and at that moment I couldn’t scream, a pool of tears had already started streaming down my eyes and I could barely see.

　　Sarah: No dad! PLEASE!

　　Chief: Wait, Albert.

　　I can't stand it anymore, the lump in my throat breaks and so do I. I can’t control my sobs or my tears. I can only plead for him to listen.

　　Dad: What??

　　Chief: Maybe I have a better proposal on how you can use your daughter.?

　　The chief man –my father’s boss- stops him and everyone turns to look at him.

　　Chief: Is she a virgin?

　　Dad: Are you bitch?

　　Sarah: Yes.

　　I answer immediately hoping that my truth would save me. My eyes on the floor, while I am still on my knees chief, look down at me with a mischievous smirk.

　　Chief: Well then if you keep her that way then I might know how you can make a lot of money.

　　Dad: How?

　　Chief: There is a secret auction, you get rid of the girl and gain money at the same time! Cause if I am understanding this correctly you don’t really want the girl around, do you, Albert?

　　My father's eyes shine with greediness. He smirks at his friend placing his money on the table.

　　Sarah: Dad, please anything but that.

　　Dad: SHUT UP! IT'S TIME YOU BECOME USEFUL!

　　He kicks me in the groin and I fall completely to the ground. The physical pain is nothing compared to the feelings overwhelming my whole being.

　　Tears start to run uncontrollably down my face like a river that has no stopping.

　　Chief: We have a deal then.

　　Dad: Absolutely. Just give me the money.

　　Chief: I will, they are gonna pay a lot for this face

　　The chief kneels down and grab my chin forcing me to look at him.

　　Chief: You are going to be the golden attraction, my dear. A lot of people will be interested in you...and if we are all lucky you’ll attract the attention of someone who’s willing to pay double your weight in gold.

　　I don't open my mouth and even if I did the words would be pointless. I don't know what I did to deserve that. I knew my life wouldn't be easy...