chapter one

Elara's pov

The first hit sent me crashing into the wooden table, my ribs slamming against the sharp edge. Pain flared through my side, but I barely had time to gasp before the next blow came a fist snapping my head back so hard that my vision blurred.

"You killed them!" my brother roared, his voice filled with pure, unfiltered hatred.

I barely stayed on my feet before his hand closed around my throat, shoving me against the wall. My head smacked against the hard surface, a sharp, blinding pain exploding through my skull.

"Because of you, Mom is dead!" His grip tightened, his nails biting into my skin. "Because of you, Dad crashed his car trying to get home!"

I clawed at his hands, gasping for air, but he was too strong. My lungs burned, panic clawing at my chest as black dots swam in my vision. I wanted to scream, to beg, to run but all I could do was struggle helplessly against the inevitable.

Then, just as my body began to go limp, he threw me to the floor like I was nothing. My head bounced against the cold tiles, and the impact sent a wave of nausea crashing over me.

I curled in on myself, coughing, my throat raw and bruised. Blood trickled down my lip, the metallic taste pooling on my tongue.

But he wasn't done.

A vicious kick slammed into my stomach, stealing what little air I had left. My body folded in on itself as agony exploded through me. I tried to drag myself away, but another kick sent me rolling onto my back.

"You should have died with them," he spat, towering over me, his face twisted in disgust. "You're nothing but a curse. A mistake."

His foot came down again this time, directly on my ribs. I heard something crack. A broken sob tore from my throat, but he only smirked.

I wasn't his sister. I was his personal punching bag.

Tears blurred my vision as I lay there, struggling to breathe, my body screaming in agony. The room tilted, my ears ringing as my mind started to slip into darkness.

Then, just as suddenly as it started, it was over.

He wiped his bloody hands on his jeans like I was filth, grabbed his keys, and stormed toward the door.

"I should have left you in the gutter," he muttered before slamming it shut behind him.

The roar of his car faded into the night. Silence stretched through the house, broken only by my ragged, uneven breaths.

I lay there, numb and broken, staring at the ceiling.

I can't stay here.

If I did, he would kill me. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day, I wouldn't get back up.

With shaking hands, I reached for my phone, every movement sending searing pain through my ribs. My fingers trembled as I scrolled through my contacts until I found the one name I knew I could trust.

Mira.

I tapped the call button and pressed the phone to my ear, my breaths coming in short, pained gasps.

She answered on the second ring.

"Elara? What's wrong?"

I tried to speak, but my voice cracked. A sob slipped out instead.

"Mira... please," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Help me."

As I waited for Mira, sitting on the cold pavement with my arms wrapped tightly around my bruised ribs, my mind drifted back to the day we met.

I had been thirteen, wandering through a small grocery store, counting the little money I had saved just to buy a loaf of bread. My brother hadn't let me eat that day again.

That's when I saw her. Mira.

She was around my age, standing near the checkout, her hands clenched into fists as she argued with the store clerk.

"I swear, I had my wallet," she was saying, her voice both frustrated and embarrassed. "It was right here!"

The clerk didn't look amused. "No money, no groceries. Move along, kid."

Mira looked mortified. Her arms were full of items milk, eggs, a loaf of bread, and some snacks. Her stomach growled audibly, but the clerk was unmoved.

Before I could think twice, I stepped forward. "I'll cover it," I said quietly, handing over my crumpled bills.

Mira turned to me, wide-eyed. "Wait no, you don't have to"

"It's okay." I forced a small smile. "I don't mind."

The truth was, I had no idea how I'd eat after this. But something about the way she looked embarrassed, vulnerable, hungry struck something deep inside me.

She hesitated, searching my face, then finally nodded. "Thank you."

After we left the store, she grabbed my arm. "Wait. At least let me pay you back."

I shrugged. "You don't have to."

She huffed. "Then at least let me be your friend."

I blinked, caught off guard. No one had ever really wanted to be my friend before.

Mira grinned, nudging my shoulder. "Come on, you just saved me from dying of hunger. I owe you."

I had smiled really smiled for the first time in what felt like forever.

And from that day on, Mira had been my only real friend.

Mira's car pulled up to the curb, headlights cutting through the darkness. The second I saw her step out, worry etched into her features, I felt my last bit of control slip away.

She didn't say anything at first just took one look at me, at the bruises blooming across my skin, at the way I clutched my ribs like they might break apart completely, and her expression darkened.

"Elara…" Her voice was quiet, but I could hear the fury beneath it. "Get in."

I forced my legs to move, every step sending sharp stabs of pain through my body. The moment I was close enough, Mira reached out, gripping my arm gently, like she was afraid I might shatter.

"What happened?" she asked, but she already knew the answer.

The car door shut behind me, and I sank into the seat, wrapping my arms around myself as if that could hold me together.

Mira didn't start the car right away. Instead, she turned to me, her sharp green eyes scanning my face. "Why didn't you tell me, Elara?" Her voice was tight, like she was holding back a storm of emotions. "You know I would have always kept you safe."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Because…" My voice was barely above a whisper. "Because I didn't want to be a burden. I didn't want you to look at me like I was weak."

Mira let out a harsh breath and reached for my hand, squeezing it tight. "You're not weak. And you're never a burden. Do you hear me?"

I nodded, my throat burning, and Mira sighed before turning back to the road.

"Come with me, please," she said. "Let me help you."

I hesitated, but only for a second. I had nowhere else to go.

"Okay," I whispered.

Mira nodded, satisfied, and pulled away from the curb.

As the streetlights blurred past us, exhaustion weighed heavy on my body, the pain making it harder to stay upright.

"I don't have any clothes," I murmured, my voice hoarse.

Mira didn't even blink. "It's okay. I'll get you some."

For the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of something I had nearly forgotten.

Hope.