Ten years back: The David Incident

Mental scars

Sia's father divorced his wife Linda; he loved her dearly, but somehow only her mother got custody Sia stared at the teddy bear on her bedroom shelf, its button eyes reflecting the tears that welled up in her own. The bear, a cherished gift from her biological father, her father she loved most, was the only source of comfort in her turbulent world. As she clutched it tightly to her chest, she wished it could come to life and whisk her away from the nightmare of her life.

Sia had always been a quiet and introverted girl. With her raven-black hair and striking green eyes, she stood out in any crowd, yet she preferred to remain invisible. Her mother, Linda, had remarried when Sia was just eight years old. Her new husband, James, was a stern and domineering man. Sia's life had never been the same since their union.

Linda, once a loving and caring mother, had changed since marrying James. She had become distant, her attention and affection reserved solely for her new husband. Sia felt like an intruder in her own home, a painful reminder of Linda's previous marriage. James, on the other hand, had no patience for Sia's presence. He often referred to her as "the brat" and made it clear that she was a burden he had to tolerate.The abuse, both emotional and verbal, started gradually but had escalated over the years. Sia's self-esteem had eroded to almost nothing, and she felt like a ghost in her own home. She had no friends to confide in, as James prohibited her from socializing outside of school, and her mother had no interest in her life.
One cold evening, as Sia sat in her room with her teddy bear, she overheard an argument between her mother and James. Their voices, though hushed, carried the weight of anger and frustration.

 Sia strained to hear their words."You need to do something about that girl," James hissed."She's just a child, James," Linda replied weakly. "Give her some time to adjust.""She's been here for years, and nothing has changed. She's a problem, Linda, and I won't tolerate her any longer."Sia's heart pounded in her chest as fear gripped her. She clutched her teddy bear even tighter, tears streaming down her face. She knew that she was the subject of their discussion, and whatever they decided, it would only bring more pain.
Days turned into weeks, and Sia's life became increasingly unbearable. James found fault in everything she did, from the way she ate her meals to the way she kept her room.

 Each mistake was met with harsh words and sometimes even physical punishment. Sia bore it all in silence, fearing that speaking out would only make things worse.One evening, after a particularly brutal scolding for spilling a glass of milk, Sia retreated to her room, her face swollen from crying. She clutched her teddy bear and whispered her pain into its worn ears. "Why can't they love me?" she sobbed.As if in response, a warmth enveloped her, and Sia felt an overwhelming sense of love and comfort. It was as though the teddy bear had come to life to offer her solace. In that moment, she decided that she had to find a way to escape her tormentors.

Sia knew that she had to be careful in her planning. James kept a tight watch on her, and any hint of rebellion would result in swift and severe punishment. She began to secretly stash away small amounts of money from her allowance, a few dollars at a time. She also started hiding her school books and a change of clothes in a small backpack hidden beneath her bed.Late at night, when the house was quiet, she would practice opening her bedroom window without making a sound. She knew that escape was a risky endeavor, but she was willing to take the chance if it meant freedom from the torment she endured daily.

One fateful night, when Sia was fourteen years old, she decided it was time to put her plan into action. She had saved enough money to buy a bus ticket to a nearby town where she hoped to find refuge with a distant relative. She had also memorized the bus schedule and knew that the last bus of the night would be her only chance.As the clock ticked past midnight, Sia waited in her darkened room, clutching her teddy bear and praying that she wouldn't be caught. When she heard James snoring loudly in the room adjacent to hers, she knew it was now or never. She carefully opened her window, wincing at the creaking sound it made.Sia slipped out of the window, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation. The night air was cold, and the darkness offered her a cloak of invisibility. 

She made her way to the bus stop, her small backpack containing her few belongings and her teddy bear serving as her only companions.
Sia's journey to the nearby town was fraught with anxiety. She kept her head down and avoided making eye contact with anyone. She knew that she was taking a risk, but it was a risk she had to take for her own sanity.When she finally arrived at the town, she made her way to the address of her distant relative. The woman, a kind-hearted aunt she had met only once, welcomed Sia with open arms. She had heard rumors of Sia's troubled home life and had always hoped that the girl would reach out for help.

Sia's new life was far from perfect, but it was a vast improvement from what she had left behind. She attended school regularly, made friends, and started to rebuild her shattered self-esteem. Her aunt provided the love and support that Sia had longed for, and slowly but surely, the As the years passed, Sia continued to thrive in her new environment. She worked hard in school and discovered a talent for art, which became her refuge and means of expression. Her teddy bear, once a symbol of comfort and escape, now held a place of honor on her bedroom shelf, a reminder of the strength she had found within herself.Despite the scars of her past, Sia was determined to create a better future for herself. She vowed never to let anyone treat her as she had been treated in her previous home. Her experiences had taught her resilience and the importance of self-worth.