I stumbled on my weak feet multiple times, shivering in cold. The rain was pouring heavily that I couldn't see properly, but I kept moving, trying to locate that familiar voice calling out to me. It was a dark narrow road with dead leaves everywhere, smoke seemed to cover the entire long lonely road. It almost seemed impossible for me to make it ahead, but I couldn't stop either.

I kept pushing forward, my white gown was stuck to my body, my hair all messy and wet as it dripped the cold water into my eyes.

"Byeol." The deep dry voice called out to me again. It was more louder this time around, and the urge to reach out to the owner of the said voice was too strong. It felt as if a strong string was pulling me forward, the force was too strong, overpowering my will.

I willingly pushed my way through the heavy wind, walking towards the unseen person, as if I was being controlled. All I wanted was to meet that man, the owner of the voice, but suddenly, a blue lightning struck across the sky.

It lasted for a while, but in a matter of seconds, a dark lightning struck across the sky and became tangled with the blue. It appeared as if both lightning were fighting for dominance.

Fear enraptured my whole body, giving me the chills, however, I didn't stop me from walking forward. I kept on following the sound of the voice until a bright shining light clouded my vision that I couldn't see a single thing.

I blinked my eyes open in fear, sweat enveloped my whole body. The room was dark, only the sound of the night awol crying was all I could hear.

It was a dream. The same dream I've always had since I was a child. It always keeps hunting me like a ghost hunting down its killers.

My breathing wasn't steady, I was still so scared of the dream despite having this dream almost all my life.

I stood up and walked towards my small window, staring at the sky. It was indeed so beautiful. The stars were so pretty tonight, and like a little kid, I stayed up all night, watching the stars till it eventually faded away and became bright.

Watching the sunrise every morning was like thrusting a dagger into my heart. For normal people waking up every morning was a thing of joy, but in my case it was otherwise.

I've always wished a new day wouldn't come if that was even possible.

I stood by the window, watching the birds flying and for a moment I found myself envying the little birds. To me, the birds are more lucky than I would ever be.

They have freedom to explore new things, but that's something I don't and probably would never have.

I've always been locked up in the four corners of my father's house as if I am such an evil prisoner, and that's something I've come to live with.

"Byeol!" I heard my father calling in a tone that made me shivered, causing me to wrap my quivering hands around my pale skin to keep myself together.

I rushed out of the cell called a room and headed downstairs, straight to the living room.

"Yes sir, good morning." I greeted with my head bowed down in respect. My heart is beating rapidly, praying that the task for the day won't be that rigorous, painful and stressful.

"You're coming with me to the company to serve the meals and drinks. You have to behave, else you know what's coming your way." His tone was deep and dry. He had this scary look in his eyes, the look I know too well, and I nodded in fear.

"Yes sir. I will do as you've said." I said and he got up.

"Go clean up the house and get ready, we're leaving by 9:30 a.m." He stood up and walked out of the living room.

Once he was out of sight, I heaved a deep sigh and stood straight before glancing at the clock and I slowly walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

I grabbed a pan to prepare breakfast, but I suddenly felt the familiar pain around my lower abdomen, the pain I'm so familiar with, and I bit my bottom lip.

I quickly placed the pan down and rushed back to my room and pulled out the drawer beside my bedside and I retrieved a book from it and flipped on the pages.

A heavy sigh fell from my quivering lips when I saw the date written on it, and I panicked.

I paced front and back feeling confused on what to do.

"Of all days, why must my monthly period come around today." I muttered as if my words could solve the situation.

I rushed over to the same drawer to get my sanitary pad, but unfortunately, I was out of sanitary pads. The last time I got one was with the little allowances my father gives to me once every two months.

I've always had issues when it comes to buying little but important stuff like my underwear and sanitary pads. It has always been so difficult for me to ask my father for money ever since my mother left him and got remarried due to his evil doings.

I bit my bottom lip, thinking on what to do, but I suddenly recalled that I still have some leftover tissue paper in the bathroom.

I rushed to the bathroom and made use of it, at least it's better than none.

____________

I managed to clean the house just in time despite the painful stomach cramps, and I had a warm bath and replaced the previous tissue paper with a new one, and I got dressed for the meeting in my father's company.

"Byeol don't keep me waiting, you know what happens when you do that, do you?" My father asked from the living room and I swallowed hard before rushing out of my room.

My cramp were always so painful, and such pain requires relaxation, but I've never experienced such in my life except at night when sleeping.

I got to the living room and bowed down before my father.

"I'm set sir." I muttered and he shook his head in total disappointment.

"Don't do anything stupid to bring shame on me. My new business partner Byun Baekhyun just returned from the States two months ago, I don't want him complaining about your services. Is that clear?" He said in a harsh tone and loudly that I nodded in fear.

"Yes sir." I said in a quivering tone, but I mistakenly looked him in the eyes, and he delivered a sound slap to my face, sending me straight to the floor.

The room was spinning, and I felt tears streaming down my eyes.

It wasn't something new to me as hitting me without a warning was always his favorite thing.

"How dare you look at me? Are you mad?" He yelled at me without showing any single pity.

"You're luckily that I'm in a happy mood you worthless animal. Get up this instant and come with me, I'm running late already." He yelled and I nodded before getting up from the floor and I rushed after him while wiping the tears away from my eyes.