Chapter 1

"Jazzy, come out sweetheart, come to daddy, "

That was the sound of a drunken man's voice as he walked through the dark halls of his home in search of his eighteen-year-old daughter.

"Jasmine! Listen to your daddy and get out here before I get really angry, " he gritted through his teeth getting annoyed with his daughter's disobedience.

Meanwhile, the poor thing sat in her closet with her face buried in her knees as she sobbed completely scared for her life.

This isn't the first time that this has happened. Ever since her mother had passed away, her father would take his grieve and anger out on her.

Spending countless nights being beaten by her drunken father and then attending school the next day as nothing happened.

School, on the other hand, was a whole different story. Being the weak and helpless girl that she was, students always took advantage of her. She had no friends to defend nor hang out with.

Jasmine's life was the definition of living hell and it didn't take her long enough to realize that she no longer wants to live that kind of life.

"There you are princess, " her screams echoed throughout the room as her father forcefully dragged by her hair as she struggled to free herself.

"Are you daddy's little girl, Jazzy?" he asked harshly, tossed her to the floor as she held her head which was slammed in the process of her being thrown on the floor.

"Get away from me, you sick bastard, " she whispered weakly as fear immediately filled her eyes when she saw how furious her father was becoming.

"Why you ungrateful little, " Jasmine cried out as she continuously received the forceful blow of her father's fist being pounded against her fragile face.

By the time he was done with her, she laid almost lifeless on the floor with a swollen black eye, busted lip, and bloody nose.

She was on the verge of passing out and her heartless father just laughed before stumbling out of her room.

After laying there for a couple of hours Jasmine managed to pull herself together limping to the bathroom to treat another set of bruises.

Coming out from the bathroom with treated wounds. Jasmine walked towards her closet getting inside as closed the door behind her.

The light bulb hanging from the ceiling was soon turned on as she reached for chalk beside her before marking on the wall behind her clothes.

On the wall was a tally of how many times her father would abuse her and how many times she would be able to take it.

Her father started abusing her at the age of 10 years so you do the math.

"Just a little more, Jasmine and you'll be able to escape this hell, " she mumbled to herself before spending the rest of her night in her dark closet.

⏰ ⏰ ⏰

The next morning Jasmine woke up groaning as her sore wound ached.

She was beyond exhausted as she only got a few hours of sleep but she needed to get out of this away from him.

Getting dressed as she made sure to cover up her visible bruises before leaving.

As she was on her out, she passed her father who was slouched back in his living room chair with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, gulping down the remaining of his whiskey.

"School, " she replied with an emotionless tone, not sparing him a glance.

"Make sure you're here on time or else pay the consequences, " he said in a threatening tone before she left.

Jasmine walked all the way to her school since she didn't like taking the bus and her father refused to take her.

Outside of her house, she was just as invisible. Walking the streets with a black hoodie covering half of her face as she would admire people being happy and free, longing for that feeling herself.

On her way to school, she stopped by a cafe that she used to attend with her mother back when the place was popular. But now the cafe has lost its popularity and she was really close to the owner.

Entering the cafe as the bell signifies her presence, an elderly woman rushes to her side with a wide smile.

"Jasmine, my darling, " the elderly woman beamed embracing the teenager.

"Good morning, Linda, how are you and the cafe? " she asked after releasing from the hug.

Linda sighed, pulling her to the nearest seat as they sat down.

"Not good Jas, every day we're losing customers both me and the cafe are getting old, " she grinned earning a small smile from Jasmine.

"But how are you, dear?" she asked, concerned, laced throughout her voice.

"I'm fine, " she said, earning a sigh from Linda who grasped both her hands.

"You can't lie to me, Jasmine, I know exactly what that man does to you, " she said, caressing Jasmine, shaking hands.

"Jasmine, you're such a strong young woman but you have to do something before he kills you, " Linda said in a soft yet serious tone.

"I know Linda, I'm just waiting for the right time and then I'll be free, " she said in a shaky tone.

Linda smiled weakly deciding to change the subject.

"Jasmine!" she called out.

"Yes, Linda?"

"Isn't your 19th birthday, two weeks away?" She asked as a smile grew on her thin wrinkled lips.

"Yes, it is, " Jasmine replied with a small smile.

"Awe, your mother would be so happy to watch her little girl grow up into a beautiful young woman, " Linda said gently stroking Jasmine's cheek.

"Yes, I bet she would, " she mumbled, staring down at her hands.

"Say what, Jas, why don't you come by the cafe after school tomorrow, so we could celebrate your birthday early, " she said.

"I would love that, " Jasmine said with the first-ever genuine smile since her life turned into hell.

"Alright, Jasmine, you should go to school now before you reach late, " they both stood up from their seats before embracing each other.

"I'll see you soon, Linda, "

"Alright, my dear, be safe, " after saying goodbye to one another Jasmine left for school.

She is beyond excited and happy about the arrival of her 19th birthday.

But little did she know that tomorrow would be the day that she lost her family and the day she would finally gain freedom.

TO BE CONTINUED...