In and Out

2

                                      WREN
School went by faster than I wished. I really have a bad feeling about tonight, but I don't know why.
"Hey Wren! Do you want a ride home?" Nate ran up to me smiling.

"Sure, I'd love that," I smiled. My parents shouldn't be home yet, so they wouldn't know. If they did, I'm not sure I'd make it. They told me I'm not allowed to have friends.
"Come on then, mom is waiting outside," Lily came and grabbed my hand, leading us all to the car.

"Hi Mrs.Evans," I waved and she laughed.
"Wren honey, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Sophia," she smiled and I just nodded my head.
"Mom, mom, mom! Can we please go to Scoops and get ice cream?" Lily begged, stretching out the please. Sophia laughed and nodded her head. Is this how families should be? I know that most kids don't get abused, but I've never been a part of a normal family. 

"Um, Lily, I don't have any money," I whispered, looking up at her.
"Don't be silly Wren! We'll pay for you, right mom?" Sophia turned the radio down, and faced us. My breath hitched. She's going to be mad.
"Oh no Lily, I-I don't need any, please d-don't buy me anything," I quickly stutter out, I don't want her to be mad.
"Wren, honey, of course I'm buying you ice cream! You're a kid I didn't expect you to have money," she smiles and turns around, starting the car. I blush and nod my head, muttering a quiet thank you. Truthfully, I've never even had ice cream. I get my parent's leftover scraps from dinners, and occasionally they'll give me some water. When I go too long without water I have to drink from my bath's faucet, it makes me feel sick. I get pulled out of my thoughts after Nate shakes my shoulders excitedly. I flinch, but I don't think anyone notices. We pulled into a spot and walked in. I looked around nervously, looking at all the flavors.

"What are you going to get Wren?" Lily all but screams and I shrug.
"I'm not sure, what are you getting?" I ask, hoping she'll tell me and I can get the same.
"I'm getting mint chocolate chip!" She runs over to the case and points at the light green colored ice cream.
"Gross Lily, I'm getting brownie extreme," Nate grinned and Lily just rolled her eyes. I looked around until I found one called cookie dough and decided that sounded good, I like the cookies we get at school.
"I think I'm going to get cookie dough," I point through the case at the yummy looking dessert.
"Good choice Wren!" Sophia compliments and orders all of our ice cream. We all go sit outside to eat since it's a nice day and I can't help but wish I got to live like this everyday. I push the outlandish thought away and eat my sweet treat, listening to the twin's banter.

"It's like eating toothpaste Lils," Nate laughs and Lily shoves him off his seat.
"Shut up idiot, at least I don't have to chug 4 bottles of water after eating mine," Lily snarks and turns away, Sophia gives her a glare. I sit there confused. Why would Lily push her brother? And why is he still laughing after she hurt him?
"Wren! Are you okay?" Nate asks getting back up to his seat.
"Huh? Oh. Y-yeah I'm good," I give him a small smile and he returns it.

"Okay kiddos, let's go home!" Sophia stands up and ushers us into the car. I don't want to go home, I've had fun with the Evans. But I know better than to get home after my parents. After a short drive we make it to my house and my breathing stops. There is a car in the driveway, and my father is standing outside.
"Oh look Wren! Your dad is waiting for you," Lily laughs and grabs my bag for me. I shudder and nod my head, thanking Mrs. Evans and saying a quiet goodbye. I get out of the car and slowly walk up to my front door. I want to turn around and run back into their car, but they already drove away. I'm trapped, he's going to kill me.

"Sweet little Wren, did you have a fun day?" My father condescends. I drop my head and glue my eyes to the ground, he doesn't like it when I look at him.
"Yes, s-sir, b-but we didn't do anything! She just drove m-me from s-school," I lie right through my teeth.
"You know I hate liars," he roars and yanks me by the hair inside. My mother is sitting there watching with a grin on her face. How can my pain bring her so much joy? I look at her with my pleading eyes, thinking maybe she'll save me. Maybe this time.

"Don't you dare look at me bitch," she growled, slamming her empty bottle onto the ground. I flinched and my father threw me to the floor.
"What should we do to the little one today Grace?" He sneered walking circles around me like I was his prey. Mom bent down and picked up a shard of the broken glass and smirked.
"Oh Dave, look what I got for you," she handed him the piece. Tears stung my eyes and I held breath while he ripped off my shirt.

"Let's have some fun, shall we?" He smirked and began to slice into my back. I thrashed and screamed but that only made him push harder. He carved into my delicate skin, scarring my back even more. I sobbed, the pain was too much.
"Stop! Please! I can't take it!" I screamed, hoping they wouldn't kill me. Mom kneeled down to my level.

"Poor baby can't take it huh?" She frowned like she actually felt bad, and got in my face, "I couldn't take it when you stole their love from me!" She screamed and punched me in the face. Whose love did I take? Nobody has ever loved me, they've made sure of that. What does she mean?
"I've hated you since the day you were born, I hope you understand that," she sneered and let my father continue his torture. He gave up on the glass and I heard his belt unbuckling. He was going to whip me. I sobbed, not being able to control my hysteria as he came around to the front of my pained figure. He snapped the belt and I flinched.

"The more you scream, the harder I will hit. Choose your battles," he laughs in my face, and proceeds to hit me across my bare stomach. I writhe in pain, trying to curl up into myself so he has nowhere to hit, but he called my mother over.
"Hold her still, the little bitch won't take it," mom walks over and I look at her with watery eyes but she just slaps me, and pins my hands to the floor. Every lash of the whip I can't help but scream, even though I know it's only fueling his fire. My lip is bleeding from how hard I'm biting it to stay quiet, but I can't even feel it because of the searing pain flying across my body. Finally after 20 whips he stops. Mom unpins my hands and drags me up off the floor. I can't control the noises that come out of my mouth at this point, the pain is unbearable.

"Next time you lie, expect ten times worse," My father finishes by shoving me down again and kicking me in the nose. I fall backwards and black dots dance across my vision. The last thing I hear is their maniacal laughter, and my uncontrollable sobs.

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chapter two..
i'm SO sorry, that was genuinely painful to write. i've read so many books similar to my story, and although the scenes are always hard to read, i could never have imagined what they are like to write.
please comment and vote!
see you all next chapter 🩷