OUT OF ALL THE things in the world of 2022, reading was the only thing keeping 14 year-old (Name) sane... to a degree. Sure they had the occasional muttering to themselves, book-throwing moments, and bursts of emotion, but that was normal in her books. It was the only way to release all the suppressed emotions that were bottled up.
She hated her life and the fact that she would be alone. No matter how bright her mind was, or how talented she could be, everything in her home would chain her like a prison cell. Being someone was out of the question. She could only hide in the shadows as no one. Simply put, boredom, obedience, and silence was the only acceptable lifestyle in her world. And it was gods awful, so she was doing what she did best: reading.
"She nodded, though she still seemed uneasy. I didn't blame her, but it was hard to feel too upset on a nice day, with her next to me, knowing that I wasn't really saying good-bye. We had lots of time.
'Race you to the road?' I said.
'You are so going to lose.' She took off down Half-Blood Hill and I sprinted after her.
For once, I didn't look back."
(Name) squealed at the ending. Rick Riordan was hands down the best author in existence. Even after rereading the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series practically five hundred times, it was still so beautiful. The humor, plot, and relationships were top tier. Compared to this reality, she'd rather choose to live in the Percy Jackson universe, even if she was no one special.
"(Name), come out for dinner." Her mom slightly opened the door, trembling. "He's waiting."
The young girl clenched the book tighter before setting it down on her bed. She hated dinnertime. Unwillingly, she walked towards the door and held her mother's hand protectively. 'It's fine. I've done this a hundred time before, no biggie.' While mom looked to the floor, (Name) viewed straight ahead, stone faced. When they entered the living room, a plate smashed against the wall behind them, barely missing the face.
"What took you so long, eh?" The man, regrettably (Name)'s birth father, belched as he raised his finger accusingly. It was as clear as day to the child that her "dad" had been gambling and drinking excessively. Tonight was going to be one of the worse nights. "Answer me!" (Name) stared furiously trying to bite back, but her shaking body refused to let out a peep.
"We were just getting ready, honey." Mom spoke, her voice wavering. "You know how girls-"
"So you've been dressing like sluts have you?!" He roared. Another dish crashed to the floor. It was always the same cycle: a drunken father, a frightened mother, and a helpless daughter who can't do anything but freeze in place. (Name) hated it so much. The male grabbed his spouse by her hair and pulled her back. "You useless woman! Think you can escape can you?!"
"No, n-no, of course not!" (Name)'s mom whimpered, hand reaching towards her head. "I would never dream of it!"
"LIES!"
He slammed her head into the wall. At the impact, (Name) saw her mom slump to the floor, blood trailing down the paint behind her. The girl stared in horror, running to her. "Mom!" She shook her unconscious mother, but the woman made no movement.
After checking her pulse, (Name) released her hands. "You..." hot tears slipped down her cheeks, "you killed her."
"Got something to say now, have you?" He mocked, crouching down to her level, a hideous grin etched onto his face.
"Get away from me you bastard! Murderer!" (Name) lashed out. She pushed the man and ran up the stairs.
"GET BACK HERE YOU BITCH!" He grabbed her ankle. (Name) fell down, and she kicked his hand to free herself. However, the man pulled her by the shirt up close. "Enjoy the afterlife." His alcoholic breath fanned her face. He was absolutely seething.
"Let go!" (Name) clawed at his hands and face wildly. Her nails sunk into his skin.
"That's it!" The man raised his hand and punched her square in the face. For a second, everything went numb. Then, the throbbing pain came. (Name) fought back even harder, trying to escape his grasp. However, blow by blow, the poor girl couldn't muster enough strength to fight. She knew for sure that her body would be riddled in bruises and blood. Even so, no matter how battered she felt and looked, her father did not stop. It was a seemingly endless torture.
'I wonder how many bones I've broken.'
It took a long time before the drunken rage finally subsided, and the male dropped (Name) right next to her mother. Grumbling, he receded into his private room, leaving them to bleed out.
'If by the gods' grace I reach the afterlife, please let me be reborn in the Percy Jackson universe. Surely I deserve a little happiness for being born into this life, right?'
AUTHOR NOTE: For those that suffer from abuse, please escape or at least seek help. No one deserves to suffer, no matter what anyone says.
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