Chapter 16

Breaking the rules.

My aunt and uncle have no idea I still have a key to their back door. They literally told me I will never be welcome back into their home, and we haven't spoken with each other since the day I left with everything I ever owned. I'm surprised they didn't change the locks.

Their house is filled with many valuable possessions and whenever they're away they set the security alarm. I quietly open the door and walk inside. The silence rings in my ears as I walk through the dark hallway in the back. The stairs on my right lead down to the basement; the room reminds me why I'll never miss living here.

In the beginning after I returned from the hospital, my aunt told me I could stay in one of the bedrooms upstairs. I was happy with the space, and the room was bright and cozy. Everything was fine until I started having nightmares. Then my uncle moved me down to the old basement. Apparently, my screaming kept waking him up late at night.