Harper

SCHOOL

Harper's pov:

In the dimly lit room, the pain seared through my legs as my father pressed the burning iron against my skin. The only crime I committed was being allergic to the affordable food my family could provide. For hours, he mercilessly tore at my flesh with a wood piece studded with nails, and each wound was further tormented by the scorching heat of the iron.

The brutal punishment persisted until there was no untouched space left on my skin. As a sick finale, he punched me hard on the face, sending me sprawling onto the cold wooden floor, blood streaming from my head. The world turned hazy, my ears ringing as if I were on the brink of death. Passing out seemed like a sweet release from the agony.

**

My abrupt awakening was met with a shout, pulling me back into reality. Covered in sweat and blood, I found myself in the presence of Herkins, concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay, Cocoa?" he asked, oblivious to the deep wounds that marred my body. I couldn't be okay; the scars of my traumatic past were too deep.

"I'm fine," I forced a smile, preparing for the day ahead. Today marked my return to school, a bittersweet change.

"Alright, lil sis. Get ready for school. Can't wait for you to meet my friends," Herkins exclaimed, leaving my room without acknowledging the traces of blood on my bed, remnants of my nocturnal struggles.

Sighing, I entered the bathroom, confronting my battered reflection. Dehydrated hair, droopy eyes with prominent bags, and bruised lips painted a picture of my wearied soul. Washing my face, I embraced the pain as warm water caressed my wounds, a necessary discomfort to kick start the day.

Forty-five minutes later, adorned in my uniform and concealed beneath makeup, I headed to the dining area, searching for my missing underwear. The rush was intensified by Caroline's constant urging.

Frustrated, I settled for Herkins' boxers and an old sports bra, feeling embarrassed by the oversized attire. As I put on my makeup, concealing the visible signs of my nightly struggles, I steeled myself for the first day at a new school.

Leaving the room with bag, Air Pods, and phone in tow, I joined the family for breakfast. The disappearance of Henry was swept under the rug, a stark reminder of their indifference to his fate.

"Get to school," Hades ordered, concluding his meal, and I left the table without finishing mine. An apple in hand, I followed my brothers to the garage, holding onto Herkins for comfort.

As we approached the cars, Hardin's scowl hinted at an unpleasant journey. I hoped to sit beside Herkins but found myself squeezed between Herkins and Hayden. It was a setup I didn't appreciate.

**

The car ride to school was marked by an oppressive silence, an absence of attempts to bridge the gap that left me feeling like an unwelcome outsider. 

The weight of the silence pushed me to seek refuge in my phone, fervently wishing for the car to hasten its pace. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at my new school, a colossal structure surrounded by manicured lawns and luxury vehicles.

 The opulence of the surroundings only deepened my sense of not belonging.

As I stood there, marvelling at the grandeur, I failed to notice the scrutinising stares directed my way. Unbeknown st to me, the glances weren't filled with disdain but rather a sense of curiosity about the new arrival.

 The collective gaze made my heart sink, creating a heaviness that begged me not to move.

Whether it was laughter or hushed whispers, the surrounding crowd seemed to revel in judging me, casting me as a target for their disdain. 

The names they called me - slut, ugly, fat - echoed in my mind, making my head spin. I lowered my gaze and entered the massive building, yearning for a sanctuary from the piercing eyes.

Amidst the labyrinth of hallways, I realised my brothers were nowhere in sight, leaving me feeling abandoned. The desire to escape intensified, but fate intervened when I collided with a girl in the hallway. She possessed a beauty that matched the societal standards, her long blonde hair and blue eyes defining her as if she were a living Barbie doll.

Her reaction, however, was far from welcoming. With disdain dripping from her words, she mocked and insulted me, making her friends laugh along.

 Feeling the weight of embarrassment, I offered a hasty apology, ready to retreat. Yet, a guy from their group escalated the situation, holding my hand and shoving me to the floor.

Anger surged through me as I demanded an explanation. The blue-eyed girl, a seemingly authoritative figure, instructed me to stay away from "them" without specifying who. The hallway remained a silent witness as they led me to an abandoned classroom, a space that smelled of old books and lingering dust.

Thrown to the floor without any explanation, confusion clouded my mind. An attempt to rise was met with a punch to the stomach, intensifying the pain in my already injured ribs. The torment continued when a girl with brown hair entered, carrying a dustbin filled with cobwebs and debris.

"Open her mouth," she instructed the tall boy, and against my resistance, they forced a concoction of spiders and dust into my mouth. Tears welled in my eyes, a response medically impossible for me to comprehend. The fear and confusion were overwhelming, but I mustered the strength to push the guy aside, heading for the door.

Just as freedom seemed within reach, another girl seized my hair, her intense brown eyes locking onto mine. 

"Rape her," she said to the boy, her voice devoid of any emotion. The words hung in the air, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard them.

For a moment, it seemed as though time had frozen, and the room held its breath. The sheer horror of the situation paralysed those present. However, the stillness was shattered when the boy began to comply with the horrifying directive. As he started to undress, a sense of dread washed over me.

I shouted, making them punch me on the face. The pain shot through my head as I fell to the floor, desperately trying to run. But he was faster. He grabbed me and hoisted me onto the table, while the girls restrained me, holding my hands, legs, and mouths shut. My heart raced as he raised my skirt, tearing my pantyhose to gain easy access to my most intimate parts.

I fought back, kicking and squirming, but it was futile. With a roughness that made my whole body freeze in terror, he forced his hands inside me, preparing for what seemed like an inevitable violation of my virginity.

Just as despair threatened to consume me entirely, the door burst open...