A
ct. I wasn't about to risk my father's ire again. He always found a reason to punish me. Even fo
erfect little family. All my life, it had always been the three of them; Dad, Erin and my stepmom and then me. The pesky little responsibility that dad ha
some days when I had the misfortune of running into him. The mere sight of me was a torment to him. He
the dark wood gleaming dining, even though it could seat seven more people aside from the three
o school every day. Riding with her wasn't an option, even though we went to the
of the kitchen and giving me that look of disg
. I didn't get to have more than just toast. Thinking to myself and taking my food, I settled down on the floor beside the island to chomp on my food. I avoided
heard Erin ask with her whiny voice, as I t
ed up
without a hint of what would come across
hen sharply turned to face my father. "Dad, have you seen your car? I went to the garage
he doing, trying to pin some
r's face for the first time that morning. His face was red with rage. His v
better than he had ever treated
misplacing an item or supposedly speaking out of turn to Ava or Erin. Wh
to tears, but I watched as my father rose from his chair at th
ement. He always whipped me there whenever he was punishing me for a
n, but I hated her even more at that moment. "She's lying! Just look at her
peration riddled m
I saw her take the keys la
. "I said, get to the basement now and
You know how much Erin's daddy loves his car, and yet you had no fear and took it out. Who said y
d at how she called my father Erin's dad. My
g out. It was so obvious who between me and Erin would
er listen
nd it landed across my back with a hard thwack sound. I yelped in pain, backing away from my father as he approached me with even strides
er, he wouldn't care if he caught my eyes with the whip and blinded me. He'd probably be
ruined. I'll make sure of it!" Father yelled as he continued lash
looked from the corner of my eyes to see Erin at the slightly dim doorway. She bared her teeth in a shit-eating grin. She a
•
d would come out of me wailing there throughout the day. I had to get to school. I hurried ba
My wolf was latent and I wouldn't heal fast. I dabbed the long strips of red blotchy whip marks with a cott
nt downstairs, heading to the kitchen to pick my backpack off the floor. I was stark silent; I didn't want anyone feeling offended by the sounds my shoes would make against the hardwood fl
rway to get to the double doors that led outside. I did so silently. If they caught me, they'd say I was eavesdropping
e I'd already missed the bus, and I knew I
light turned green and signalled walkers to cross. I hadn
errari sharply turned the corner and headed straight for me. I fr
My arms broke my fall and I was lying on my chest in a pool of blood so soo
the pool of red. It wasn't there two seconds ago. I
ything bl