Capturing Her Heart

3

                             •Elysian Monroe•

"How can anyone love such a deceitful little girl?" Mom said

I had to fight the tears that threatened to spill. I had to be strong, I couldn't let her see me crying. She couldn't see me weak.

"Just like how dad loves you." I mumbled under my breath

"What did you just say to me Elysian?" She spat

She walked towards me. The movement in her walk told me that I should regret my words, but I didn't. I stood by what I said. The closer she got, the more my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest.

I stepped back until my back hit a wall. I gulped; I knew what was coming but that didn't mean I feared it any less.

A hand came crashing down on my left cheek. I held in the tears and kept my expression emotionless; she will not see me break.

Again and again, the hand came crashing down repeatedly. It was becoming hard to hold my composure, but I had to do it, I had no choice. She wanted to see me break and I wouldn't give her what she wanted.

"You fucking brat!" She yelled, her voice booming through the walls

"Keep your voice down, you're going to wake Eileen" I stated

Her expression at my words changed. The furry in her eyes dissipating the moment the name slipped past my lips. Her most prized possession.

Seconds later, her expression changed to something different something, dark.

"If I can't break you, I'll break her." She smiled

               "No!" I shouted as I leaped out of bed.
I quickly surveyed the room around me. It was my bedroom, a familiar sight. Just a dream, I exhaled deeply, relief washing over me. It was just a dream. I grabbed my phone and checked the time—almost 3 in the afternoon.

Dragging myself out of bed, I groaned softly, the pounding in my head almost unbearable. I shuffled toward Eileen's room and knocked on her door. A small voice responded from the other side. I opened the door to find her sprawled on her bed, her face buried in her pillow.

"Is this how you feel every day?" she mumbled, muffled by the fabric.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I sat down beside her. Gently, I lifted the pillow from her face and tapped her shoulder. She raised her head, looking at me with sleepy eyes.

"It's how I feel right now, kiddo," I replied, smiling.

Her lips curled into a faint smile, but it quickly faded into a frown, her expression turning sorrowful. I could see her gaze fixate on the pillow in my hand, and I understood what was plaguing her thoughts.

"What's been said can't be unsaid. No point in dwelling on it. The most important thing is that you're okay," I reassured her.

Our eyes met, and for just a moment, the way she pouted reminded me so much of Mom. She used to do that with Dad when he wouldn't give in to her whims. A shiver ran down my spine at the memory, and I quickly shook the thought of Mom from my mind.

Her small arms suddenly wrapped around my neck, pulling me from my reverie. I chuckled as I embraced her, resting my head lightly on top of hers.

"You'll be pleased to know there's pizza waiting for you in the fridge," I said with a smile.