Prologue

29 2 1
                                    

When Cassiopeia Jones was 6, her father came home late from work. The curious child quietly sneaked to the top of the stairs to spy on him. She quickly regretted her decision when she saw the blood covering his usually pristine work attire. She silently went back to her room and went to lay in her bed, her mind wandering at all the possible reasons her father was caked in red.

When Cassiopeia Jones was 8, she heard her father come home late again, but this time, she decided to stay in her room. She laid quietly in her bed and listened as her father walked around the house. She listened as he turned on the washing machine, as he got changed and went to bed. But again, she stayed awake, her thoughts filled with images of her father covered in the awful substance.

When Cassiopeia Jones was 11, she heard her father come in even later then he usually did. But this time was different. She listened silently to the pleads of what sounded like a woman, and her father telling her to stay quiet. After a while, she heard the sound of a scream, then a thud. She quickly closed her eyes and pretended to sleep as her father opened the door of her room. He left a few moments later, allowing the girl to breathe freely once more.

Now that Cassiopeia Jones is 15, she has realized the horrible things Elijah Jones had done. But she also realized what he could do to her, if she were to tell anyone about him. So she stayed quiet, listening night after night to the screams of the women her father brings home, losing all hope that she may one day be free of this torment.

ApotelesmaWhere stories live. Discover now