The sound of dripping water echoes through the basement, a steady beat that's both soothing and reassuring. The old, rusty pipes in the corner leak when every it rain or snow, casting a rhythmic spell over the cold, damp space. This is my world, the only one I've ever known.
I've never ventured upstairs, never dared to challenge the unknown. Instead, I watch the door, a constant presence in my peripheral vision. My bed is in the corner, my blanket a thin, worn shield against the cold. Its holes and stains tell a story of neglect, of abandonment.
Yet, in this bleakness, I find a strange comfort. The sound of the water, the feel of the cold seeping into my bones, it's all I've ever known. And as winter approaches, casting its heavy, damp veil over the world, I'll wrap myself in my tattered blanket and listen to the water, my heart beating in time with its steady rhythm.
Beside my bed, a small pile of books offers a fleeting escape. Because of Winn-Dixie is my favorite; I've read it so many times I've lost count. I taught myself to read, a solitary achievement in a life devoid of schooling or social interaction.
But my curiosity about the world outside these damp walls grows stronger each day. What lies beyond this basement? Are there others like David, who hurt me without explanation? Or are there kind souls, like Opal from my beloved book? The uncertainty is crippling.
David's behavior is a constant puzzle. I try to be good, to stay quiet and compliant, but no matter how hard I try, he finds faults. The lists of rules he gives me are ever-changing, and I'm punished for mistakes I didn't know I was making. It's not fair, but maybe I deserve it. Maybe I'm just not good enough.
YOU ARE READING
𝒲𝒾𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊
RomanceDavid, a bodyguard, takes out his grudge for his dead wife and his daughter when he runs away with his boss's 4 year old daughter. Harper Wells (Romano), a innocent bubbly girl, suffered the beatings of David for 11 years which changed her complet...
