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

When Carson was finished, he put a plate of pancakes and bacon before me and a bottle of strawberry syrup. "Here, eat up. You must be hungry." He said.


I was starving. I looked at the mouth watering pancakes and I heard my belly growl. I didn't realize how hungry I was until now. It has been a while since I had a decent breakfast. I decent meal for that matter.


I took up the fork that Carson gave me and took a bite of the pancake. I sigh with pleasure. This was really good. "Wow Carson, this is good. I didn't know you could make pancakes this good."


Carson smiled and sat in front of me. "Well, I used to watch my mom cook when I was younger." He explained. I nodded my head at him and continued eating.


Within minutes, I downed six pancakes. I looked up to see Carson looking at me with an amused expression. "You must have really been hungry."


Chapter 36