ROTBFTD : Broken & Beautiful

3

Elsa pov

The school bell rang, a welcome chime that signaled freedom. But today, the usual rush of excitement was muted. I walked home, my feet dragging on the sidewalk. My thoughts were a tangled mess, a storm of emotions I couldn't quite grasp. It was the day Mom had given me my 17th birthday gift - a stunning crimson dress, the kind that made me feel like a princess. I had worn it once, the night of the party, the last time I truly felt her presence, her love. Now, she was lost in a haze of addiction, her eyes glazed over, her touch cold.

Reaching home, I slipped into the dress. I felt the silk against my skin, a ghost of warmth against the chill in my heart. It was time for my date with Jack. Dad wasn't home, which was good. It made things easier, less complicated.

Anna, my sister frind, appeared at the door, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 'Where are you off to, Els?' she asked.

'Just... a date,' I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

'Cool,' she said, her smile fading as she added, 'Kristoff's place, okay? I'll be back in an hour.'

I nodded, not really registering her words. My mind was already drifting towards Jack, towards the thrill of his company, the way he made me feel seen, understood.

The town was bustling with activity, a familiar symphony of sounds and smells. I saw the glow of the restaurant, my favorite, and there he was, Jack. He looked like a character out of a movie, a handsome stranger with a black blazer and white pants, sunglasses perched on his nose. My stomach lurched, a wave of panic rising like a tide. I felt the familiar unease, the tightness in my chest, the irrational fear of being judged.

Jack saw me, his smile a beacon in the chaos. 'Come on,' he said, his voice a soothing balm. 'Don't worry, just breathe. Nobody's going to hurt you.'

His words pulled me back, anchoring me to the present. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension ease. The dinner was a blur, a whirlwind of conversation and laughter, the weight of my anxieties momentarily forgotten.

As we stepped into his white car, a sense of security enveloped me. It was safe here, with Jack. But the thought of Anna returning home, the possibility of Dad walking through the door, and the guilt that gnawed at me, threatened to unravel my fragile peace.

'Are you okay?' Jack asked, his voice soft, concerned. I was silent, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. 'You seem a bit... sad about something. You can tell me, you know.'

A sob escaped my lips, a sound that carried the weight of my unspoken burdens. 'Nothing,' I whispered, my voice choked with tears. 'Just... a mind slip.'

He didn't push, simply offered a comforting hand on my shoulder. We drove on, the moon a silent witness to my turmoil, the city lights reflecting the storm brewing inside me.

The rain hammered against the windowpanes, a relentless barrage mirroring the storm brewing inside me. It was 9:30pm, and the date with Jack had just ended. He'd insisted on walking me home, despite the downpour, and his concern had been a balm to my anxieties. Holding the umbrella he'd given me, I hesitated.

"Don't worry about it," he'd said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. 'Hand it over tomorrow.'

I managed a smile, then impulsively threw my arms around him. 'Thanks for the date, Jack,' I whispered.

"My pleasure, Elsa,' he replied, his voice warm.

As I opened the door, the storm seemed to subside, replaced by an unnerving calm. I hurried up the stairs, my heart pounding.

Reaching my room, I froze. Anna, my sister, lay sprawled on the floor, a dark bruise blooming on her cheek. Terror gripped me, and I lunged towards her.

'Anna!' I cried, shaking her gently.

She opened her eyes, a flicker of pain crossing her face. 'Elsa, look behind you.'

I spun around, my blood turning to ice. My father stood there, a sinister smile twisting his lips.

'Do you think you can get away with whatever you're planning, huh?' he sneered, his voice laced with venom.

He lunged, and before I could react, Anna was gone, dragged away by his brute strength. Then he turned his gaze on me, his eyes cold and calculating.

Panic surged through me. I was trapped, his grip tightening around my wrists. As he moved to drug me, I saw a sliver of hope - the window was open.

With a desperate scream, I ripped free, stumbling back and flinging the window open.

Out on the street, Jack was tinkering with his car. He froze, his head snapping up at the sound of my voice.

My voice, raw with fear, pierced the night. 'Jack! Help! He's taking Anna! He's...'

He didn't need to hear more. I saw the look of horror on his face, the way his eyes darted to the house, then back to me.

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, my father slammed the window shut, blocking out the rain and my desperate pleas. He dragged me back towards the bed, a sinister glee in his eyes.

I knew in that moment that I was running out of time. The world seemed to shrink, my screams lost in the storm, swallowed by the darkness that was closing in.