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

But the thing was, I was worrying. For some reason, Carson has become my friend and I couldn't help but be concerned as to what was bothering him. "Carson as I said before, I don't mind. You can tell me anything." I replied, prodding him to speak.


"Just as you can tell me anything." He said, looking at me intensely. I looked away from him then. I know exactly what he was referring to. He was talking about the bruises that he saw on my neck on Thursday.


He had a point. I was selfish to tell him that he could tell me anything, when I myself was hiding something from him. But it was different. I couldn't tell him what he needed to know, because I would be in real trouble with my stepfather if I did so. I wouldn't risk that.


I cleared my throat and spoke. "Carson, I don't know what you are talking about. I don't need to tell you anything."


He looked at me for a very long time. I was starting to get uncomfortable under his intense gaze. Finally, he spoke. "Okay then. If you say so."


Chapter 25