Default Title - Write Your Own

Chapter 1 : Escaping From Step-father

A year ago.

SERA's POV:

The car suddenly came to a halt. I looked up through the window, and a poorly renovated house came into view - my mother's house. The one I had lived in until now and the one I was hoping to leave today, once and for all.

As I reached for the door latch to open it, hesitation set in. He must be at work at this hour - my stepfather, also the reason I was moving out. Running into him at this moment was the last thing I wanted. Therefore, I selected this time for my endeavour.

Yesterday, I received a call from my mother. she was going to be living in America for several weeks due to a crucial business trip, leaving that creep alone at home. She mentioned he was eagerly waiting for me, wanting to spend some alone time with his dear daughter and strengthen our bond.

'What bullshit,' I thought, clicking my tongue in disgust. I knew exactly in what way he wanted to strengthen our bond.

"Come on, Sera. You can do this. Just grab all the important things from your room and return back. After this, you'll never have to see that bastard's face ever again," my best friend, Samantha, growled from the driver's seat, attempting to comfort me. But the thought of him touching me, pleading for me to stay, and spouting nonsense made me queasy.

"Sigh... If you're this afraid, then just let me come with you?" Samantha announced and started to undo her seat belt.

"No, it's okay, you don't need to," I quickly said and pulled onto the door latch, opening it. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car and reluctantly headed towards the house.

'To hell with everything! Let him dare touch me!' My resolve strengthened. I wanted to end everything today, once and for all.

"Don't worry, I'll be quick," I threw the words to Samantha over my shoulder and carefully sneaked into the house. It wasn't hard; I had done this multiple times already since that jerk made his move on me for the first time.

I never had a good image of my stepfather, ever since he first entered our lives three years ago when I was 13. Although he never made it too obvious through his actions, there was something lecherous in his eyes when he looked at me, as if wanting to get something.

I didn't understand; after all, I was a child, so I just told myself it was an adult's adoration towards a little girl. Also, my mother loved him dearly, so I just didn't want to be an obstacle in her love life.

Everything went well for the first two years. However, things took a nasty turn when I turned 16. It was the first time he had tried to force himself on me, and the last, as after that, I was so afraid to go near him that I left home and stayed at Samantha's for the whole two years of my high school, only coming home when necessary.

I didn't tell my mom. The reason: she was a heart patient, and I feared for the worst. After my father's death, my stepfather is the only person my mother has been with. It was clear she was madly in love with him.

Using my own key, I unlocked the main door and stepped inside the house. It was dark. I guess I selected the right hour. No one was at home.

I ascended the staircase on tiptoes, with soft and calculated steps, like a thief, and sneaked into my room. Carefully turning on the lights, I grabbed a suitcase from a corner and started stuffing whatever I could find into it-mostly trousers, skirts, and blouses.

I was already done with graduation, and tomorrow marked my first day at work, commencing at nine in the morning. And with the new start, I wanted to end this old and dark chapter of my life as well. I just came back to get back my stuff. Then I would be gone forever, never coming back to this old house... ever again.