Chef walked up to the class and told them to take a seat and everyone obeyed.
"Now, you're all going to be doing a project and you have tomorrow to finish," Chef started. "The project is that you're gonna have to write everything about your family. Now, get to work."
Gwen's eyes widened. Did she tell the truth or make up a lie? She did remember telling her father not to tell anyone... So she thought to make a lie.
Duncan scooted up to Gwen and smiled. "This will finally get you to answer my question!"
Gwen sighed.
-
After school, Gwen walked back home and opened the door.
She looked around and saw her father on the couch. He was drinking beer... Or, as Gwen thought, apple juice.
Her father stood up and walked over to Gwen angrily and started to beat her.
Once he was done after 7 minutes, he grabbed her and threw her in the basement.
"YOU'RE SLEEPING IN THERE TONIGHT!"
Gwen shivered as he closed the door, leaving it pitch black in there. She curled up into a ball and cried to herself. She was cold and hurt, but nothing could be done about it.
The next day, everyone went to school like usual. Once Gwen arrived, Duncan ran up to her, happily.
"Gwe-" he stopped as his eyes widened. "W-what happened to you?!"
Gwen raised and eyebrow confused. "What do you mean?"
"You have bruises and cuts all over!" Duncan yelled, causing every other kid to gather around in confusion as their eyes also widened.
Gwen started to shake at this sudden attention.
"Chef!" Duncan called out.
Chef walked up to them and sighed. "What do you want?"
"Gwen's hurt!" Duncan said, worriedly.
"I'm fine..." Gwen sighed.
Chef looked at Gwen and his eyes widened. He picked up Gwen and brought her over to the egg chair, getting his first aid kit and bandaging her.
"What happened to you?" Chef asked with concern.
"I-I... Fell down my stairs..." Gwen lied, looking down.
Chef wasn't at all convinced because he knew Gwen very well. She's not as clumsy as that, and she's slow, she's careful of her surroundings.
"No, what actually happened?" Chef asked again.
"I-I-I-" Gwen started to cry as she put her knees up to her chest and sobbed into them.
Chef picked up Gwen and held her like a father would to their child.
"Shh, shh, let it all out," Chef said, calmly.
Duncan and the other kids ran up to them with concern.
"Is she okay?" Duncan asked.
"Why's she crying?" Beth asked.
"Kids, don't worry, she'll be fine," Chef smiled at them.
They all walked away slowly except for Duncan, who was probably the most worried about Gwen.
"Chef?" Duncan asked.
"Yes, Duncan?" Chef replied.
"Yesterday, Gwen was acting more sad as well. She also had a different bruise on her head but I don't know why," Duncan said.
Chef's eyes widened as he realized what this could mean, but just to be sure...
"Gwen," Chef sighed and sat Gwen on her egg chair. "How are your parents like?"
Gwen looked at him and started to cry again. "M-My D-D-Daddy h-hits me!"
Chef and Duncan's eyes widened.
"What?! Why would they hurt such a pretty lady like you?!" Duncan asked.
"Don't worry, Gwen," Chef said and picked her up again. "As long as you stay with me, he can't hurt you."
Gwen looked at Chef. "Does that mean you're abducting me...?"
"Yes," Chef replied. Gwen smiled a bit and started to cry again.
Duncan jumped onto Chef and hugged Gwen. Chef held Duncan with one hand and Gwen with the other so they could get a better hug.
