Cinderella (Seventeen)

Belts And Bruises

Chapter Four

*Hyolyn's POV*

Looking around, I wasn't in the dark basement. I hadn't fallen asleep on the sofa again had I? I would sure get punished if I had... I saw Chewy at my feet, as I adjusted to the room. Sitting, I looked down at my arm, which throbbed. Wincing, I looked around again.

This wasn't the house I live in. Where am I?

"Awake already?" A deep voice came from behind me.

"I... where am I?" I worried. I'm sure going to get punished now.

"You, do you remember what happened last night?" He said. I recognised him as one of the students, but I can't remember his name.

The throbbing in my arm let me know I tried it again, and failed. Again. But how I got here, is beyond me.

"I obviously tried this," I held my arm up, "and failed. But how did I get here?"

"Wonwoo brought you," he smiled gently. "Seungcheol, if you're wondering."

"Morning noona," another boy came into the room. This can't happen, I need to go, before they get even madder that I've been gone all night.

I need a lie, I need to work something out.

"Thanks for everything, but I need to be going," I got up and bowed, wincing at my throbbing head but ignoring it.

"Wait, aren't you even hungry?" I can't even remember the last time I ate, but I'm not hungry. I feel sick out of fear, how can I eat?

"No, I'm fine, but thank you, come on Chewy," I nodded to the door and left.

After that fail attempt last night, I have to try even harder to get away. If something in the sky won't let me die, I need to try to get away.

***

Walking up the path, the street was peaceful. A fake scenery to mask the horror of what lays behind the front door.

Can I get to the basement unnoticed? Hopefully...

Opening the door quietly, the house was silent. Maybe they're still all asleep. I don't even know what time it is.

Sneaking through the front room, I could see the basement door. This could be possible, to get away for once.

Only, the devil appears at unnecessary times, doesn't it.

"Been out, Hyolyn?" I heard Kara say from the kitchen.

"No, I took Chewy for a walk," I said. Why the hell am I scared of a 9 year old you ask? Because this 9 year old is evil. She is the literal image of the devil, the descendent of JiEun, so go figure.

"Now, I think you're lying to me," she stood, looking up into my eye. But I can't look her in the eye. "Appa!" She screamed a few times.

"No, Kara please," I tried to hush her, but that only made it worse. That was a bad choice. He came down, worried for his princess, and then saw me.

"What's the matter sweetie?" He said sickly sweet. JiEun was a step behind, tying her dressing gown around her body.

"Hyolyn has been out all night, and she scared me when she came in, I thought it was a robber daddy," she turned the waterworks on. I was so tempted to roll my eyes, but he'd probably spoon them out.

"Why have you been out all night? What, isn't the roof over your head good enough?" Biting my tongue, I fought the tears back at the close proximity he had gotten. Grabbing my arm - my bad arm - I winced, and he noticed. Looking down, he smirked, grabbing harder. Blood seeped through the stitches and bandages. "So, where have you been?" He asked gently, still gripping my arm. That would surely bruise.