Lumai's Mind

Chapter 14: Into The Fire

A bit over one week later....

"Lumai, get up and get ready! It's school today!" Lilly yelled and successfully roused me from beautiful dreams. The day before yesterday we went and picked up my uniform and other school necessities. I got up and blinked the sleep from my eyes. What bloody time is it?

6:00am according to my phone. Six fucking a.m!

Let's go back to sleep...

Don't you remember what happens if we don't listen or do something wrong. I get hurt, I don't want to get hurt, do you?

No, it's just that we're safe and happy in dreamland.

Not always, Tarnyx, we can't control what happens and we can't protect ourselves from any real harm.

Oh ...yeah. You better get up then.

Yeah, I should.

As I dressed into the school uniform I recited the rules to try ensure I wouldn't fuck up. Don't swear or yell, nothing too loud, clean up after yourself, don't talk back, don't act out in school or at home, always do what Lilly or Michael say. That's them all I think? But I feel like I'm missing one...

Since I came here I have been ordered around a lot –which doesn't sit well with me so I react– and hit when I do whatever it is wrong. Nothing more than slaps yet, thankfully. I'm not even surprised this happened, I've heard about lots of abusive foster homes and no one without ill intent would take me in. They must have noticed my evil ghost friend and knew no one would care. I don't know if a social worker is meant to drop in to see how things are going but no one has come by.

I ran out the door and froze when I saw Michael looking at me. That's what I was forgetting, no running inside. He stalked toward me and I backed up slightly but regained myself and pushed down any sign of fear.

"It seems you don't like following rules. Maybe you need a proper remind of the consequences." Michael warned. I don't think it's a slap this time...

"I'm...I'm sorry, Michael." that did not sound genuine, it was more angry and defensive. Shit.

We are acid rain. Not a waterfall. Say it!

We are acid rain, not a waterfall. We are acid rain!

I snapped out of my thoughts to see Michael glare at me. "How about a new rule, don't talk unless it's what we tell you to." what the fuck does that mean only say the exact words they want or only speak when spoken to?

I closed my mouth, bit the inside of my cheek and nodded. "Good." he looked satisfied but the next second punched me in the gut.

I doubled over and yelled in pain, that broke a rule and he punched me again in the stomach. He was making sure no one would see the bruises, I realised. I bit my lip to keep the noises in but a small grunt escapes. He snarled and punched one more time while I struggled to be silent. It went on like this until I got punched and didn't make a sound.

That was when he left, I crumbled to the ground and gently held my stomach while a few tears trickled out my eyes. It hurt so much. All up I think it was twentyish fists being pounded into my small stomach. Each one was like a hammer and I was the nail. I wouldn't be surprised if my organs were all mushed.

Just breathe. In... An out. In... And out. That's it.

Tarnyx kept instructing me with little praises even though my breaths were shakes and shallow. My throat was tight and my head felt heavy and thick. I tried to reel in the tears but the throbbing pain was Overwhelming and the steady stream from my eyes refused to cease.