Hello everyone. I really hope you are enjoying this book so far. Anyway, lets continue on with the story. Also, when Starlight says "Sis" she is referring to Mariai. She only calls Mariai by that nickname. Another note I failed to mention previously is that I am not an expert nor a person who has experienced abuse, so I am really sorry if I get it wrong in anyway.
TW: MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THIS PLEASE SKIP AND MOVE ON TO ANOTHER BOOK. IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE, DONT SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU.
10:07 am
Starlight's POV
Hey, my name is Starlight. I am the first born of Element Kingdom. Anyway, I am currently in the training room, practicing on combat and weapon use. I have my long black hair in a ponytail, so it doesn't get in my eyes. Sweat starts coming down my face. As I'm training with my bo staff, flashbacks of the day I wasn't strong enough comes back to haunt me.
(here is what she is wearing)
(Here is the training room btw)
Flashback
I'm running with my family in the middle of what looks like a war zone, but then I see father and Mariai stay behind as the guards lead the rest of us to the bunker. But as I started to run towards them, a guard grabs me and speaks
"NO PRINCESS STARLIGHT! WE NEED TO GET YOU TO SAFETY!" the guard stated while still holding my arm.
I began to struggle in his grip, but he puts me on his shoulder and runs toward the bunker, closing the door. The last thing I heard before he closed the door.... was my little sister screaming... my eyes filled with dread and fear.
I wanted to break out of this confinement, rush over, and grab my parents and little sis. But I have no choice but sit...wait.... and hope my parents and little sister get out alive.
Feeling like hours passed, the door finally opens with dad carrying Mariai. Relief washes over me but its short lived as I don't see mom anywhere.
Just when I was about to ask where mom was, I see my little sis's face: emotionless and numb. Fresh tears and blood are on her face and clothes. Just by that image, I realize that mom is not coming. For the first time in my life, I feel........like a....failure.
End of flashback
That image of my little sis and the sound of her scream is forever engraved into my mind. Ever since then I've always pushed myself beyond my limit, so I never feel like a failure again. Even if I am physically and mentally exhausted, I don't stop. I feel like I failed not only my family but my whole clan every time that memory plays in my head. That's why I work hard
I look at the time: it reads 11:46 am. It was almost lunch time. I sighed in frustration knowing I have to stop. I know it's bad to overwork yourself, but no one is stopping me from overworking. I walk out of the training room and upstairs to change my clothes.
11:48 am
As I walk out of my room exhausted from training, I see my little sister Mariai. I was about to smile when I noticed her robe had a shoe print on it and the back of her neck had a red mark. I ran up to her with a worried look putting my hands on both her shoulders.
" Sis! What happened? Did Father hurt you again?" I said scanning her body and turning her around for any more injuries. I sighed with relief that I didn't see any more injuries on her anywhere.
She wasn't looking at me, so I gently grabbed her chin and lifted her face up. Her eyes were red and a little puffy from crying. My blood started boiling. Mariai must have sensed I was getting mad, because I felt a hand gently placed on my cheek. I look back at her, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and swallow the anger I had.
" Do you want to walk with me to lunch?" I ask in a soft voice.
She nods her head, and we head to the dining room together.
At the dining room
As we sit down to lunch, none of us utter a word or blink. Quinn is at the door listening closely. As usual he already finished his lunch. For lunch we have a side of white rice, Mai fun noodles with vegetables (think of hibachi), and a cup of tea. All of us ate in silence.
YOU ARE READING
Shattered: A Girl's tale
Actionthis is a redo of the original book. Mariai is a girl who is completely broken. Her mother died when she was very young, her father turned bitter and abusive. Will Mariai's life get better, or will it get worse as she goes? Get to know Mariai, the...