A Family of Her Own

01

TW

The ceiling moved up and down as I lay there soundless with tears trailing down my face and staining the mattress below me.

He peppered kisses down my body, but they weren't the pleasant kind. They were rough and forceful.

I heard him moan as he picked up his pace and then began to slow down. By now, I've learned that means that this is finally over, for today at least

"Thank you gorgeous." He whispered in my ear with a scruffy voice and then slapped my face, leaving a bright red mark. He stood up and began to buckle his belt

As he left, I heard Jason thank his buddy for the money. Usually he charges around $100 per session, I think. After he escorted him out of the flat, Jason entered my room, which consisted of a mattress and a closet with no door.

"Did you like that?" He asked as he eyed up my naked body with a tilted smile.

"Yes sir." I whispered, still laying there in my vulnerable state. The last time I told him no, I had the worst beating of my life, so I learned to just say yes.

"I knew it you dirty whore. Go get washed up, you look like shit." He laughed, smoking his joint.

A moment later, I stepped into the cold shower. Jason didn't allow me to use warm water. He always tells me that a slut like me doesn't deserve to feel warm or comfortable.

As much as I soaped up my body, I never felt clean. The first time this happened, I lathered myself more times than I could count, but I never felt satisfied.

After I finished showering, I saw Jason on my mattress, holding my clothes, getting ready for me to get dressed. I always had to do so in front of him.

"Thank you, Sir." I forced a smile as I took my clothes and dropped the towel in order to get dressed.

Soon enough, it was time for sleep. I laid down on my "bed" and tried to let darkness taken over me.

—-—

The next morning I woke up early enough to get dressed, do my makeup, and make breakfast for Jason with enough time to walk to school.

First I began my makeup. I mainly just had to cover up my bruised neck from the hickeys and hand prints. I winced since the mark still felt fairly raw. I finished pretty quickly, so I got dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants. In my closet I only had 2 hoodies, 1 tee, a pair of sweatpants, a pair of jeans, a few undergarments, and some worn down shoes.

For breakfast, I made eggs and toast, none of which I ate. I got meals three times a week, only if I was being a 'good girl'. If I defied Jason or his buddies, I got a punishment during the normal time I'd eat.

I began my walk to school at 6:30 am. The flat was pretty far from school, so I had to leave early. Plus if Jason ever saw me in the morning, there would be a punishment. I've learned all of this the hard way.

At school, I wasn't allowed to eat so I always bought my lunch, but never ate it. Usually, I just sat in the library and read through random books to pass the time. Jason didn't let me have any friends, so I never wanted to sit in the cafeteria. Most kids would just laugh or point at me anyway.

Everyone can judge me all they want, but biology is my favorite class. The teacher, Mrs. Mack, is the only one who actually makes an effort to interact with me. Everyday, Mrs. Mack asks me if I want anything or that I can always go to her if I need help. As much as I wish I could, Jason would surely have my head.

On my walk home from school, I was dreading walking through the door and into my "home". It's like entering some version of prison straight from hell. However, when I got there, police cars and officers were surrounding the house.

Shit. I walked up to the nearest officer. "Hello," I plastered on my best fake smile. "Is there something happening here? I live here."

"Hi Ma'am, what's your name? I'm Officer Ferrah." A kind police woman asked me.

"Hi, Oaklymn Marino." I responded, still upholding my smile.

"I'm so sorry, but I regret to inform you that your...father?" She asked in a questionable voice, "died. So far, it is believed to be an overdose of heroin. I'm so sorry." She spoke in a kind voice.

I let out a breathy sigh that I didn't realize I was holding in. The fucking bastard is dead. I had a deadpanned look on my face. "Oh," I spoke.

"I'd like to take you to the station to take a DNA test to see if you have any relatives." I nodded, and Officer Ferrah guided me to her car and we drove off to the station.

The test was quite simple. She just took a swab, swabbed the inside of my cheek, and told me I could go wait in the waiting room. I didn't have a phone, so I just got to sit and stare at the pasty beige colored walls. 

Relatives. Officer Ferrah used that word. Could I possibly have them? There's no way, right? Ugh I'm going to end up in some shitty  foster home. Thoughts were racing through my mind like a tornado. I didn't know what to expect.

Hours later Ferrah came back with a pale look on her face. "So... it turns out you have older brothers, five of them. You were actually reported missing 14 years ago, when you were 3. Your last name is actually Silva, not Marino. I'm sure this is so much to take in. However, I'm going to call one of your brothers to see if they'd be interested in adopting you. Is that alright?" She spoke in a quick, almost scared-like manner.

"Like I have a choice." I rolled my eyes at her. She bowed her head and scurried off to her office and drew the blinds. Come on bitch I wanted to see, I crossed my arms and did even more waiting. Five older brothers? How is that even possible...