Jonathan

"This is your new sister, Jonathan; say hello," a woman exclaimed with a warm smile, gently urging her son forward.

Jonathan flinched and slowly approached the girl. She was his age, wore glasses, and bore a kind smile.

"I'm Shayna, pleased to meet you, Jonathan!" She extended her hand with a bright smile.

Jonathan's somber eyes flickered as he observed Shayna's cheerfulness. Pity for her situation with his parents lingered in his gaze.

He was ten years old and his parents have been beating him for years. He was an unwanted child and they showed him that very well.

-Bam!

Suddenly, a man appeared and struck Jonathan's arm with a club.

Jonathan groaned, collapsing to his knees, clutching his bleeding arm. Tears welled up from the pain, but he bit his lip, determined not to cry—his parents disapproved of tears.