𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐒

𝐓 𝐄 𝐍

★

[𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊]

He grabs me roughly by the arm, his grip like a vise, and leads me to a small, dark closet at the end of the hall.

The closet door swings open with a creak, and he shoves me inside, the darkness enveloping me. The smell of old, moth-eaten clothes and the stifling air make it hard to breathe. I can hear the muffled sounds of the outside world, the laughter and joy of other family members, while I am locked away in this tiny, airless space.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and the tears flow freely as I beg and plead to be let out. But his voice, cold and unforgiving, cuts through the darkness, telling me that I deserve this punishment and that I need to learn my lesson.

"You want to be a little fucking brat hm? This is what brats get in return!" He yells from the other side of the door.

The minutes turn into hours, and I'm trapped in that closet. I'm terrified, alone, and left to confront my own fears and regrets in the suffocating darkness.

I hold my knees to my chest and sob, wanting my mother to return to my arms.

I bolted upright in bed, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat. My heart raced, pounding in my chest as if trying to escape the terror that had just consumed my dreams. The remnants of the bad dream still clung to my mind, a haunting memory that felt all too real.

I hear a knock at the door causing me to groan. I run my hands over my face and slowly open my eyes. I look around and take in my surroundings. I look at the time. It was 8:30 pm. The banging continues, making me annoyed.

I reach the door only to be faced with Kaylee, the maid.

"H-hi, hello. Um dinner is ready downstairs! Don wants everyone to be there. So please come." She chirps, holding on to a broom.

"I'll be down in a bit." I smile at her. She nods and walks away. I close my door and let out the biggest sigh ever. I need to take a shower.

I walk over to the bathroom and turn on the warm shower. I strip my clothes off and hop in. As the water flows over me, I feel the tension easing away. The warmth soothes my sore muscles, gradually relieving the discomfort. With each passing minute, I feel more relaxed and refreshed.

I get out the shower and wrap the white towel around me that was hanging on the rack. I grab my blow dryer and dry my hair. I throw my hair into a ponytail and reach for my phone. It's been forever since I went on a mission, and I'm slowly beginning to feel useless. I hate that feeling.

I throw on a Victoria secret set and a black silk pajama set on top of it.

I head downstairs, my footsteps echoing behind me. I reach the bottom of the staircase, the soft glow of the dining room beckons, casting warm light onto the hallway floor. I can hear the faint murmur of voices, and finally I'm meant with everyones faces.