ADELINE
Every night, Mom would lay in bed with me.
She took the Bible on my nightstand and read me a chapter each night, once we were done we would start again.
If I fell asleep, she woke me up to listen to God's words.
She stroked my hair to soothe the pain of the pulling, she kissed my cheek to ease the bruises, she told me she loved me but no one could love me like Jesus did.
Every night, Mom read me a chapter of the Bible. When we finished it, she always asked me three questions. I didn't think much of it, I knew the answers like the back of my hand. That was the first thing she taught me.
My head rested on her chest as my gaze was lost on my white ceiling. The first question was asked.
"Who's your Lord, my baby?" Her sweet and tired voice echoed against the wall of my mind, I didn't even need to think before answering. I never failed the questions. My twelve year old self knew that if I had everything right, she would be nice the next day. I knew I would sleep in my bed.
"Jesus is, Mom." She stroked my hair lovingly.
"Who loves you the most, my baby?" That was a tricky question.
Most people would've answered their parents, but Mom always argued with me when I asked her why she wouldn't love me like other moms loved their children? Why did I have to rely on the love of someone I never met? She always told me that no matter what, only He could love a brat like me.
And I believed her.
"Jesus does, Mom." I whispered. She stroked my hair one more time, and she leaned to kiss my cheek while asking me the final question.
"Who's your savior, my baby?" I paused.
Who was my savior?
Who would take me where I would belong?
Who would protect me from my own hell?
Could God do that?
I paused for a long minute.
I'll find you, always. I promise, angel.
He was a little older than me, but I haven't seen him for a long time. He promised though, he would save me. I wondered when. But he promised.
And I found my answer, remembering the dark green eyes of the boy from church.
"The little emperor is, Mom."
That night, the night after, and one more after that, I slept in the basement naked, tied to the wall. I begged and apologized, she wouldn't listen. She never listened.
I never dared to pronounce his name again, only God would save me. If not, I'll be damned.
YOU ARE READING
The Emperor
Romance"It feels like tasting poison, the more my tongue discovers her flesh the more addicted I become." Adeline seeks comfort in her studies, she has never failed a class and always comes out on top. She's the perfect student, the perfect little...
