Beneath The Surface

Opening Act 2 - We're friends now.

Normal text
Thinking
Onomatopoeia

Astaroth's POV
"STUPID BITCH!"

Crack!

"HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SNITCH!"

Crack!

"S-Sorry. I won't do it again. I-I'm sorry."

I was sitting on the red wood flooring, hugging myself as I huddled against the cold marble walls, trying to make myself as small as possible. Two pairs of ominous shadows loomed over me, seemingly enshrouding me in endless darkness. I could feel the occasional stares from the house servants, hear the stifled giggles from them as they watched me suffer in glee. But I was more concerned with trying to hide away from the wooden stick that's raining down on me. If possible, I'd rather disappear into thin air. Like this, I wouldn't make Daddy and Mommy angry all the time...

The scary crack of the familiar punishment stick sounded through the silent night, with each blow sending new waves of pain throughout my body. Fresh bloody lines streaked my skin, stinging like crazy when it came into contact with the air. But I didn't dare to cry. Otherwise, it would only make Daddy and Mommy even more angry.

"I WILL TEACH YOU TO TRY AND RAT ON US!"

I actually never understood why they're always so mad at me. Ever since I could remember, whenever they came home, they would constantly have very dark faces. Anything I did, whether it be breathing a bit too loudly, or staring at their eyes for a second too long, they would explode into a rage, taking out that dreaded stick to beat me. And yet, they refused to tell me what I did wrong. So after every punishment, I would have to guess what my mistake was. Was it because I didn't greet them the moment they walked in? Was it because staring at them was considered rude? Should I just look down when they're near me? Or maybe because I wasn't born the way they wanted. That's why they're angry at me. Because unlike them, I wasn't perfect. I'm a defective thing that only brought shame to them. To make matters worse, they couldn't throw me away so I was stuck with them for the foreseeable future. Like a persistent cockroach.

Either way, after every lesson, I made sure to correct myself to suit their preferences. I can't change my actual body but I at least could make myself look more pleasing. Anything to get Daddy and Mommy to not be mad at me. All the books said that parents like children who are obedient. If I did everything right, they would surely like me, right? They would surely stop scolding me, right? But I didn't do anything right. They still continued to be in a bad mood whenever they saw me. And every night continued to be a nightmare. Just like now.

Except it's way worse now. Because I tried to get help from outsiders. The servants didn't pity me at all so I could only hope a stranger was kind enough to take me away from this hell. But they didn't. None of them believed me. They think I'm lying. To them, I'm just a crazy retard that their poor council leaders had to endure. I tried desperately to prove that I'm fine. Nothing's wrong with my mind. I wasn't a liar. I didn't hurt myself. I really am suffering every night. However, I didn't get very far before Daddy and Mommy reached me. They clamped their hand over my mouth, dragging me away while laughing apologetically, saying that I was a mentally unsound kid.

No, I'm not! I don't want to be scolded every day. I don't want to be beaten every day! It hurts. Someone... Anyone... Help me...

Unfortunately, no one did. They only directed pitiful gazes at my parents while ignoring my existence. Why can't they trust me... Why won't they help me... Is it because I'm not perfect in their eyes... If I was a boy, would they believe me then...

"YOU THINK WE WANTED THIS?! IF YOU'RE A BOY, OUR BLOODLINE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE LIKE THIS! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! WHY MUST YOU BE A GIRL?! BECAUSE OF YOU, WE COULDN'T HAVE ANOTHER CHILD! YOU'RE A CURSED DEVIL! YOU RUINED OUR PLANS! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!"