Annabelle’s POV:
I wiped my tears away quickly as I heard the door click open. My dad was home.
“ANNABELLE” He called me angrily.
I quickly ran down the stairs.
“Yes father?” I asked trembling.
“Where’s dinner?” He asked.
“I-I forgot to make it, but I’ll make it right now” I said stuttering
His hand came in contact with my cheek leaving a tingling sensation. I grabbed my cheek, I winced at the pain.
“Get your lazy ass in the kitchen right now!” He demanded.
I rushed passed him, quickly making dinner. I made his favorite fish fillet. I served the fish on the plate and got him a beer. I know not the smartest idea but I had to follow his instructions word for word.
“Dad, food is ready” I said to him
“It better be good” He spat at me shoving me out his way.
He changed a lot when my mother died. The happiness left him entirely. It’s been like this for the past 11 years. I turned 18 today; I bet he didn’t even remember my birthday. My father finished his food and got up to leave but I stopped him.
“Father Wait” I said quietly
“What do you want?” He asked his voice cold
I went to the fridge and got the cake I baked.
“I made cake for us” I said trying to lighten up the mood.
“For what?” He asked angrily
“My...My Birthday” I whispered
That did it. The cake was slammed out of my hands.
“YOUR WHAT?” My dad yelled slapping me to the floor.
He kicked me in my stomach, I doubled over in pain.
“Get the hell out of my sight” He yelled throwing his empty bottle of beer at me as I ran up the stairs to my room.
A small piece of glass scratched my face. I ran into my room crying, I locked the door and looked at my face in the mirror. I had a big purple bruise on my cheek and a scratch on my forehead. My dad didn’t like celebrating anything, at all. I was stupid for thinking he would accept my 18th birthday. I slowly lifted my shirt revealing the dark bruises all over my stomach; I quickly pulled it down not wanting to look at the scars and bruises any longer. I was tired, tired of it all. I was done dealing with the abuse and hatred I had done nothing wrong and for the past 11 years I thought it was all my fault. I had been planning this night for 2 years now, but I never had the courage to, but now I was a legal adult my father didn’t have to take care of me anymore.
I made sure the door was locked, I got out the suitcase under my bed, I grabbed my new clothes I had hid in the back of my closet. I had saved a lot of money for this day, the day I would escape from this hell. I packed everything I needed, the last thing I put in the suitcase was a picture of my mom and I. I grabbed my purse, my money, and slowly opened the window. I dropped my suitcase on the flower bed; I slowly lowered myself from the window landing with a ‘THUD’. I looked back to see if my father noticed, I heard movement inside. I could hear my father knocking calling for me to open my locked door. I ran, as fast as I could with my things. I heard the faint calling of my name from the window as I ran to the train station.
I didn’t know where to go, but I have always dreamed of Paris, France. This little town in England wasn’t for me, why not try Paris? I bought my train ticket to Paris, and waited for my train to arrive I just hoped my father wouldn’t find me. Alas my train finally arrived I boarded it and looked out to see what would now be my past. I sat on the train looking out to the passing streets. When I felt a light touch on my shoulder, I immediately flinched away, it was a reflex.
“Miss would you like to buy something to eat?” The lady asked a cart full of food.
“N-No thank you” I stuttered quietly
“Suit yourself” She commented and moved the cart along.
I fell asleep half way through the ride; I was awoken by a bump the train had made.
“15 minutes until we reach Paris, France” The lady announced over the speaker.
My face lit up, I would soon be far away from my worries, I would start fresh in a new place, new people, and a new language.
*-*-*-*
I got off the train dragging my luggage behind me. I didn’t know where to go from here. I turned to see a box with my name on it. How curious? I looked around the station it seemed to be empty. I carefully picked up the box, it was a bit heavy. I slowly opened it and was shocked at the thing inside. It was money, more than enough it looked like a million dollars in there. I tore the note off the box which had my name on it.
To: Annabelle
You looked like you needed help, take this gift and start your life
It will be hard at first but you shall learn, enjoy your time here while you can young Annabelle.
--- Your protector
Who was this mysterious ‘protector’ of mine? And what did they mean by enjoy my time while I can?
