*The following story takes place when Ashton and Claire were 5 years old*
Ashton: Stop!
*Swish!*
Ashton:..!
He hits me again and I ball my fists. I'm kneeling down on the floor keeping my head held low in front of my torturer who happens to be... my own father holding a whip. I can hear my mother's cries outside the room begging him to spare me.
Dad: How dare you raise your voice at me?! You should know your place!
Ashton:....
I did nothing wrong and yet... He was just like a normal father to until a few weeks ago, what happened to him? Why...? Why is it like this now?! I wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth and look up at him straight in his eyes.
Dad: Lower your head.
Ashton:....
He glares at me and I gulp with nervousness but don't break eye contact.
Dad: I said, lower your head!
Ashton: I won't! Why do you do this to me?! What did I ever do to you?!
Dad: Shut up! You ungrateful brat!!
*Slap!!*
Ashton:..!!
I feel a burning pain on my cheek. My ears keep ringing and the next thing I know is that I'm losing consciousness. My mother's screams sound far away as my vision blacks out and I fall down on the floor...
Ashton:.. Mmn..
I slowly blink my eyes open. My whole body aches. Where am I? Did I already die? I guess that would be better than living in this living hell. I look around but, I'm disappointed. I'm lying on my bed in my room.
*Click*
The door opens and I automatically grip the sheets tightly. I-Is it him again? However, much to my relief, it's just my mother carrying a tray of food.
Mom: You're awake, Honey? Does it still hurt?
She places the tray on my nightstand and reaches her hand to me worriedly.
Ashton:....
Mom: Say something, Ash.
Ashton:... Why is it like this? What did I do wrong?
Mom:..!
She furs her eyebrows sadly and holds me close to her, careful so as to not press any of my painful wounds.
Ashton: I want to leave this place.
Mom: I know how you feel but, we must be strong; this will all change one day. I promise you that.
Ashton: Really..?
Mom: Yes, one day, everything will go back to how it used to be...
A tear from her eye drops on my cheek. She's lying and she knows it. She just doesn't want me to lose hope. I only have her now, this is all I can do. I'll endure this torture as long as she's not hurt. I make a silent promise to her. Little did I know that the next 8 years were going to be even worse.....
Meanwhile...
*Click*
An attractive woman in her late twenties opens a door to an ordinary looking apartment. She takes a deep breath to compose herself and walks in.
Claire's Mother: Claire, sweetie, I'm home!
She calls out to her daughter but there's no response. Finding it unsettling, she walks towards Claire's room and opens the door. She doesn't see her anywhere and begins to panic when she notices a little person hiding under the sheets on her bed.
She walks over to the bed and snatches up the sheets to find her daughter there in a way she had never imagined. Claire had a bright red bruise on her right cheek, her hair was messy as though someone had yanked on it and big, fat tears poured out of her eyes. Her mother's eyes widen in surprise.
Claire's Mother: Claire?! What happened?!
Claire:....
Claire bites her lip and grips the hem of her skirt. Her mother gently touches the wound on her cheek.
Claire's Mother: Who did this to you?!
She slowly opens her mouth and says...
Claire: Hannah Watson said that my daddy died because of me. I got angry and pushed her and her friends they... hic.. hit me and pulled my hair.
She feels her heart sting as soon she hears that.
Claire's Mother: What?! Did you tell your teacher?!
Claire shakes her head.
Claire's Mother: Why?!
She grabs Claire by her shoulders and looks at her sternly. Claire looks away.
Claire: I pushed her too so, we... we were even.
Claire's Mother: What?
Claire: Daddy once told me that we cannot pretend to be wronged if we did something wrong too.
Claire's Mother:..!
Tears spring in her eyes as well. She pulls Claire in an embrace and rubs her back gently.
Claire: Daddy... left because of me, didn't he?
Claire's Mother: Claire, you mustn't blame yourself; none of this is your fault. Do you understand?
Claire:... I miss him.
Claire's Mother: I know. I miss him too but, we have to be strong. Life isn't always as you want it to be, sometimes there will be darkness, but someday, you'll find someone who'll light your world for you.
Claire:... Are you talking about Daddy? But he already...
Claire's Mother: I still have you and you have me.
Claire:....
Claire's Mother: Only when you're strong can you thrive and you already have a goal, don't you? Can you tell me again?
Claire looks up at her mother and nods with a smile brighter than the sun.
Claire: I want to become just like Daddy when I grow up!
Claire's Mother: That's my girl.
Her mother ruffles her hair again with a smile, hiding her own silent pain....