I was terrified all the time.

I couldn't go on like this. I was even afraid of my own shadow.

I heard a noise downstairs and I knew Allan was home. He was probably searching the cabinets for his stash of alcohol. He was more violent when he was drunk.

I heard my stomach grumbled again. I was really hungry, but I couldn't go downstairs, because he would see me and find a reason to hit me.

I really don't know why my mother had married him. What had she seen in him? I don't know why I ask that question, because I already knew the answer. He was rich and my mother needed the money.

Dad died when I was ten and we started to have money issues. My mother had to do something in order for us to get by, so a year later she married Allan. She didn't love him and I knew he didn't love her either.

Her Saving Grace

I run for a ball as well, keeping a keen eye on my opponents. There were a lot of balls thrown at me, but luckily, I dodged all of them. I then directed my ball towards a girl and throw it. The ball hit the girl on her leg. The girl gave me a glare as she trudged towards the benches. I lifted my hand and waved at her, grinning widely.


The game continued until only a few of us were left. On my team, there were three of us; Lucas, another boy and I. On the opposing team, there were four people; Carson, two girls and another boy. One of the girls was on the track team. Our classmates who had been eliminated was cheering us on from the benches.


I grab for another ball and directed my attention to Carson. Carson, however, was paying attention to the boy on my team, who had just thrown a ball towards him. He dodged it skillfully. Taking my chance at his distraction, I threw my ball at him. By the time Carson saw the ball, it was too late. The ball hit him on his cheek.


Chapter 5