Moving Forward

Chapter One

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It was around nine when my dad came home. I heard the door slam shut.

"MIA!" He began to yell in an angry drunken voice.

"MIA!" He yells again as he slowly stumbles up the steps to my room.

"Shit, dammit dad" I mumbled as I turned in my bed.

"So...I'm screwed" I started to think aloud as I slide out my bed and into the bathroom. I knew leaving that liquor out was a mistake.

I turn the shower on and pull my dark brownish hair in to a quick bun. Getting in I let the steamy water sting my skin. When I finish scrubbing I brush my teeth and get dressed.

I put on a black tank top and a pair of shorts. I was done getting dressed when my door swings open.

As he comes in I can feel all his anger coming out of him. Im paralyzed as his eyes lock on mine and he stares at me. The anger rising more and more in his body.

"So..." he says after moments. "Can you explain to me why it took so long for you to answer me." he slurs.

"I umm... I just-" I start to stutter.

"You just what!" He yells and I flinch.

"I just woke up. I didn't expect you to be home so soon." I said.

He breaks eye contact as he begins to chuckle and turns to leave. I let out a breath and before I can take a step theres a sharp pain against my cheek as I fall to the ground.

"You know how hard it is to get a job... and then to come home to such a..." he pauses trying to look for the right words, "... such a pathetic little bitch." He says.

"Im sorry... I just didn't know you would be home." I whisper.

"Your sorry..." He starts to yell as another hand comes down and slaps me.

"Your nothing but a pathetic piece of shit." He says slapping me again and again.

Another hand comes up again to hit me but never makes contact. I look up to see my brother Mark punching him in the face repeatedly.

Im shocked for a minute by whats happening. His fist comes down like hammers hitting nails. I snap out of my shocked state when blood is being shed and my dads out cold. Mark is still hitting him. I jump up and pull Mark off.

"Hey... hey stop it. Its over I'm ok. Its ok I'm not hurt." I say trying to calm him down. I cup his face in my hands and force him to look at me.

"Are you ok?" He asks examining my swollen face.

"Im fine. I promise." I say and look him in the eyes. He pulls me into him and hugs me tightly.