All Chapters of When There's No Light, Be Your Own Sun: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The study abroad program was government-funded, but living expenses still came out of my own pocket. Asking my family for money wasn't an option.I still remembered being eight years old and staring at a pair of limited-edition basketball sneakers in a store window. They were 300 dollars. I worked up the nerve to ask my parents, and they tore into me before I could even finish the sentence."Do you think your father's money grows on trees? How dare you even ask?"You're already trying to keep up with the rich kids at your age. Imagine what you'll be like when you're older."For a while, I believed them. I thought I really was being unreasonable. Then, I found out Corey owned an autographed jersey and a pair of limited-edition sneakers, either of which cost ten times what I'd asked for.That was when I understood. It wasn't that they didn't have the money. They just didn't want to spend it on me.I could already picture how it would go if I told them I needed money to study abroad

Mom came barreling toward me, and every pair of eyes in the restaurant turned my way. I wanted to disappear."Mom, can we talk about this outside?""You have the nerve to call me Mom? You throw a tantrum over a watch, storm off to work at a place like this, and you don't even have the decency to be embarrassed about it?"I locked my jaw shut. The other diners were openly staring now. I tried to explain, but she wouldn't let me get a single word in."Your brother is about to attend a prestigious arts academy. He'll be surrounded by accomplished, well-connected people, and he needs a nice watch to hold his own."What about you? You can't even get into a decent school, but you've got no problem spending money. Why can't you just grow up?"I stared at her in disbelief. All I'd wanted was my own money back. However, in her version of events, I was the selfish one throwing a fit over a watch.Then, Corey walked over and gently took Mom's hand. "Mom, don't be mad at Logan. He's always

I figured the next seven days would pass as quietly as the ones before. Then, on the third morning, Mom pushed open my bedroom door.For once, she didn't yell. Her voice was flat and even. "Pack up. We're going to your grandparents' place today."I blinked. "Why?"She frowned. "Your brother did so well on his exams. We need to go celebrate with your grandparents.""I don't think I need to be there," I said quietly.My grandparents only ever had eyes for Sabrina and Corey. Sabrina got praise for her grades, and Corey got doted on for his looks. I was invisible to them, same as everywhere else."Getting a little too big for your britches, aren't you? You can't even be bothered to visit your own grandparents now?" Mom was furious.Dad walked in. To my surprise, he didn't pile on. He actually softened his tone."It's just a little celebration dinner. Your grandparents miss you."Something about it felt off. Every other holiday, they'd take Sabrina and Corey and leave me behind wit

When I came to, I was lying in a funeral chapel. Black and white drapes hung from every wall, and a table at the front held rows of candles flanking a framed photograph of a girl. I scrambled to the door and pounded on it with both fists."Let me out! What are you doing to me?"Grandma's voice came from the other side. "The ceremony is in three days. Behave yourself and don't make a scene."Over the next three days, I tried everything. I threw myself against the door and tried to break the windows, but nothing worked.They even took my shoes so I couldn't run. I begged, I screamed, and I cursed at them through the walls. Not a single person helped me.On the third day, a group of men pinned me down and dragged me to the chapel at the mayor's estate."It's time!" the officiant called out. "Let the ceremony begin!"They forced me to my knees. The bride waiting for me at the altar was nothing but a cold stone memorial marker. I fought as hard as I could. The veins in my temples wer

Piper couldn't take it anymore and rushed into the Hollis residence."Where's Logan?" She grabbed an officer by the arm. Her voice was trembling."Where is he? How bad are his injuries?"The officer glanced at her. "We have a duty to protect the victim. His whereabouts are private information, and we're not at liberty to share them. Please don't interfere with the investigation."With that, the officers cuffed George and Carolyn and led them out. Carolyn fought the whole way, screaming, "We're his real parents! Why would we hurt our own son? That ungrateful brat is doing this to get back at us!"Corey was white as a sheet. He ran to Piper."Piper, your family has connections. Please, help my parents."Logan must've misunderstood. They were just trying to find him a good match. They never meant to hurt him.""A good match?" Piper's eyes were rimmed red."Locking him up and forcing him into some spirit marriage is finding him a good match?"Sabrina cut in. "Logan has always bee