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 gave him an incredulous look. "Carson, you could've gotten into serious trouble. I had to stop you. He isn't worth it."


"When I saw him, everything that you told me and all the bruises and scars that I saw on you all came back to me. I wanted nothing than to finish him right then and there. Hurt him like how he hurt you. He deserves that and more." He said adamantly.


It was a great feeling to know that Carson would do that for me, but he had to think rational here. "And then what? You go to prison?"


"Dammit Kayla! I don't care about that. The man abused you, he doesn't get to go off so easily!" Carson shouted.


I was taken aback by the tone of his voice and the anger directed towards me. It doesn't make any sense arguing with him about this. "Whatever Carson, let's just forget it." I turned towards the window and watched the scenery outside pass by. He was right, Allan deserves it, but he needs to understand that I was only protecting him.


Chapter 48