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 was worried about you. Where did you go?" I asked, trying to search his face in the dimly lit room.


"Nowhere. I just drove around. I needed to calm down and clear my head." He answered.


"Carson, I'm scared." I whispered quietly. Carson immediately brought me closer to him and wrapped his arms around me. In his arms, I instantly felt safe.


"It's okay. You don't have to be scared. I won't let anything happen to you." His voice was soft, but firm.


"But what am I going to do?" I asked, sharing my concern.


"Don't worry about it, I'll think of something. I'll ask Mom to talk to Dad." He said reassuringly.


"I don't know if that's going to work. Your dad didn't look like he planned on changing his mind." I said.


Carson used his hands to lift my chin up, so I was staring into his face. "Please don't tell me you are considering going back home," he said, his eyes was searching my face. "Because I won't let you. There is no way I'm letting you go back to that place."


Chapter 51