Chapter Two

My eyes opened slowly, darkness still clinging at the corners of my eyes. The faint clicks of the door echoed throughout my room, making me jump slightly from the half-conscious state I had fallen into. 

I recognize that sound; it was my father, Jerry, his voice low and filled with anger. I could hear his steps, each one louder than the other, and I knew he was coming for me.

I couldn't hide because I was already hidden, bound, and confined to the small closet, I could barely move not to talk of escaping. The ropes on my skin felt too tight, but I forced myself to be still, taking deep breaths. I couldn't give in to my fears.

“Alia,” My father called out, his voice broke through the silence, cold and angry. His footsteps grew closer, echoing through the empty house. “Where are you?”

I closed my eyes, trying to stay as still as possible and not make any sound, hoping he would leave once he thinks I'm not here, but I was totally wrong. “Where are you?” he thundered.

The door to the closet was suddenly pulled open with force. I knew it was my father; though he couldn't see his face, I could make out his figure in the dark room. The burning intensity of his eyes was enough.

“You think you can hide from me? His voice low, full of spite and anger. “You really think I would let you get away with this, uh?”

I was beyond speechless, the words stuck to my throat. I already know by now that no amount of pleading or begging will change his mind.

He walked towards the closet, hands on his waist, towering over me like the beta he is. His presence felt suffocating; I could feel the air draining out of the small room. He looked at me disgust shown on his face taking in my terrible state, clothes dirty, face pale with tiredness, hair tangled, like I was a nuisance, a big problem to deal with.

“I have been looking everywhere for you, Alia. You think you can just disappear out of the blue?” He spat as if there was venom on his tongue. He clenched his fist as he stepped forward, closing the space between us.

I remained quiet, not wanting to annoy him more, I was beyond scared, but I refused to show any sign of weakness and would not let his words get to me. 

I had always been trained for this, trained to endure any kind of suffering thrown my way without complaining, without seeing me break.

“You are going to regret this, I promise you” he said. He yanked my hand pulling me to my feet. I screamed in pain as he pushed me forward, the ropes cutting into my skin.

“Why were you hiding here?” He shouted; his voice was already laced with anger, sharp and unforgiving.

I kept mute as if he wasn't talking to me, my heart raced, but I knew it'll be better to keep shut. He wouldn't waste his precious time listening to a nuisance like me. No matter what I sent, it'll only add more to his anger. His eyes searched mine, looking for answers. His gaze flicked to the doorway were my stepmother stood with my stepsisters, Ava and Avia.

“Oh jerry, she's just being a pain in the ass,” My stepmother chimed in, her voice smooth as silk. “She intentionally locked herself in there to cause trouble as she always does, she didn't want to go on the trip so she thought she could hide without you noticing.”

Ava and Avia stood behind her, smiling. They knew exactly what they had done, and they weren't remorseful about it, oh I forgot the little devils had no conscience. They had always covered their mother, their lies running deeper than the truth.

“Is that true?” Jerry faced me, his eyes blazing like fire ready to consume me.

“Yes, my stepmother answered from the doorway. “She just likes to disobey orders and does whatever she feels is fit, nothing more.” She added, her voice sounding so convincing as if the lie was the truth.

I wanted to pounce on them that they were lying and try to convince my father, but my voice was trapped in my throat even if I talked, he wouldn't still believe me. They had already spun their web, and my father believed them, as he always did.

Jerry’s expression darkened; I could see the fume coming out of his ears.

“So, you thought you could disobey me whenever you want Lock yourself away and hide from me and your family? You will face the consequences of your actions, Alia. Don't think I'll let this slide.”

He grabbed my arm twisting it to the side with force, dragging me to the center of the room. I fell my legs weaken from hours of being confined.

“Get up!” he screamed, “you have earned this. You have earned every bit.”

 He grabbed my hair, pulling me up, the first blow was sudden, leaving me gasping for hair. My body jerked with the force, but I refused to give in. The pain surged through me like a wildfire, leaving me almost breathless, but I held back my scream.

This was what he wanted to see me cry, to see me weak, and beg him to stop, but I would never give him that satisfaction.

I could see from the corner of my eye my stepmother and stepsisters smiling as if they were being entertained.

The strikes came one after the other; each one was more severe than the other. His hands were so rough, his movement skilled as if he was made for this.

 He didn't care about the marks he left behind; all he cared about was seeing me suffer.

I clenched my teeth, my body trembling, but I refused to beg for mercy. That would only make things worse. The pain coursed through me like an endless tide.