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 don't care if you are here or not." He said simply. His voice was cold and distant. Finally, he looked up at me. I thought he was going to walk away, but then he said. "I see that you are okay now." I knew he was referring to yesterday when I was crying.


I sighed. "I'm really sorry about the way I talked to you yesterday. It's just that I really wanted to be alone." I said.


"It's cool." He said, sitting down on the bench. "I get it."


I sat down beside him. "Why are you here?" I asked.


"I come here every night to work out. My friends would accompany me sometimes." He said.


"Why do you need to work out every night?" I asked bewildered.


He hesitated for a moment, then answered. "To prepare me for my fights."


"Yeah. I do underground fighting." He explained.


"Isn't that illegal?" I asked. Well, of course it is, Kayla. My conscience reasoned. Remember, this is Carson Knight here. Delinquent is his middle name.


Chapter 16