I looked up to see my dad standing at the top of the stairs fuming with anger. I stopped walking immediately not daring to move again.
What the hell are you wearing and how dare you talk to your mother like that, you insolent child(word of the day), my dad's voice boomed while coming down the stairs.
I kept my head bowed waiting for what I knew would come next but nothing happened so I raised up my head. That was a terrible mistake. My father slapped me immediately I raised my with so much force that I stumbled and fell down the stairs. I was about to get back up.
Kneel down and apologize to your mother right now, he said before I could fully stand up. She is not my mother, I mumbled to myself.
What did you say, My dad asked. I kept quiet.
I asked you a question young lady, he said walking down the stairs.
I said I am sorry, I quickly replied before he could reach me.
Don't be such a smartass with me again and apologize properly to her now.
I looked up to see my stepmother looking at me with a hidden smirk.
My fists were clenched and I could see the nail marks little blood seeping from my palm. My knees were also bruised from the fall but the pain the were calming me down keeping me sane.
I am sorry Mother, I finally said while looking at her with contempt and hatred.
Get out of my sight, My dad said and I ran into the room making sure to lock my door. I had promised myself not to cry because of that man. I laid down on my bed and slept off dreaming of my mother.
*5 years ago*
Mum, I'm home. 13 year old me entered the house announcing my arrival. I was about to enter the kitchen to look for her when I heard a loud noise coming from upstairs. I quickly ran up only to hear my father's shout and my mum cries.
I opened the door to my parents room and saw my mum on the floor with a broken vase beside her. I ran to her seeing bruises and blood stains on her body.
What did you do, I shouted angrily forgetting about what he could do.
He strode angrily to me but my mum came in front of me while I stepped backward. Please don't harm her, I beg you, she pleaded with tears in her eyes but the man wouldn't just let us be.
He came to my mum and pushed her to the wall. She started crawling back to me begging for mercy. As he reached me, he stopped and started laughing hysterically like a madman. He then went back but before he left, he turned back saying ' learn to keep your daughter on a leash' and left.
I looked at my mum and when she was about to touch me, I pulled away. I saw the pain and hurt in her eyes because of what I did but I was too angry to care. I hated her for being so weak. I hated her for still being with him. I hated her for crying. I needed to get out. I couldn't stand it. I needed to leave everything behind. What kind of leave would make someone so miserable and weak. She just had to divorce him and that will be the end. She knew he had a mistress and didn't care about her but she still stayed.
I knew I was being so hard on her but I needed her to do something for herself. Why did she get in front of me? Why did she give him the satisfaction of seeing her crawl and beg? I hated her so much but most of all, I hated him.
He was like a devil who don't know when to stop. I hated my whole family including me.
I always blame everyone else but I knew deep down that I hated myself the most. I couldn't do anything. I can't stop him and most all, I feared him. He makes me feel useless and I know that even if my mum leaves, he won't let me go. He will need someone to vent his anger on. I went inside the bathroom, filled the bath tub with water and entered it. I put my head underneath the water and I felt free. I felt ecstatic because I knew I was leaving everything behind.