Broken Innocence

7. Autumn

Autumn knight wasn't exactly the sweet quiet girl she was perceived as. In fact, in her mind was far from quiet. Autumn was constantly under the pressure of being the perfect daughter. And her father had very high expectations.

Roger had strict standards for what he wanted from his children. Society, in fact. He knew men to be strong, the protector, the provider. While women should be seen and not heard. And of course, they should look appealing and presentable. Meaning small, weak and pretty. Children, should also not be heard. They are at the prime time of their lives and should be moulded into respectable adults. The sooner the better.

With his small and sexist mind, the way he treated his children was far from caring. There were many rules in his household, and punishments for breaking said rules. The majority of the time Reece would take the fall for a lot, protecting his sister. Yet there were times where she could not be helped.

Due to Roger's views and expectations for his children. As well as persistent criticism about their school work and behaviours, he also 'cared' deeply about their appearance. Resulting in many different rules for the children. Including the larger portion sizes Reece was given while under feeding his daughter at the same time.

He also commented on Reece and his appearance many times, insisting that he trained more in the gym, built up his strength. While also making Autumn aware that "men don't like larger women" and how she should take more pride in her appearance. "A little lip gloss goes a long way mutton chops" yet, when she did try, just a basic crop top and "careful Autumn, some may think you're trying to hard by wearing that"

Autumn hated being at home. She hated being at school. She hated it all. She felt so alone all the time, even when with her friends or brother. She was still alone.

There was also a lack of women in her life. Due to her mother leaving her at such a young age, she wasn't very prepared for all the things she should have been. Things mothers and daughters were supposed to do and talk about together.

Of course Mia being slightly older, had prepared the girl for the changes she would experience during puberty. Autumn adored their 'girl talks' Mia knew a lot about make up and boys and what to say, she was so confident with it all. That's what autumn wanted.

Autumn wasn't perfect, she was never enough for her father, her mother, anyone. No matter what she did it always felt wrong. And she couldn't help herself. She didn't know how to communicate properly. She didn't have that confidence to just start a conversation. And why would anyone want to talk to her either?

Autumn would happily act perfectly okay around everyone. That was easier than the truth. But when she was alone in her room. All the walls began to close in on her as the voices in her head got louder and louder.

Pushing them down during the day was exhausting, distracting herself with her friends and school work and diving into different realities through her books. Yet still the thoughts lingered.

"Reece?" Autumn whispered, her brother's back was turned to her as he leant over the table. She walked up to him to see the plate with food still left in front of him "Reece"

The blond snapped his head up,
"Aut, what are you doing here?"
"I live here idiot" she rolls her eyes
"You know what I meant"
"It's 10pm Reece. You've been sat here for hours" Autumn was clearly very worried about her brother, how could she not?

"Aut go to bed. I'm okay. I just don't feel well" Reece wasn't worried for himself. This, he was used to. What he worried about what his father catching his sister down here.
"Because he's fed you 3 large portions. I won't go to bed until you do" she insists,
"Aut please. Just go before he comes in here"

"No-"
"Autumn" his deep voice made the girl straighten her posture and turn to face her father "what are you doing? Your brother is not finished" Autumn, despite never being brave enough to speak up for herself, was so tired of the way her father treated her and Reece. She was done.

"He is done father. Leave him be" this extremely surprised Roger, 'did she just speak up to me?' He thought to himself as the rage grew inside of him fuelled by liquor.
"What did you just say?" Reece suddenly rose from his chair to stand in front of the girl,
"She didn't mean it" he interjected.
"I did. He can't treat us like this. He's supposed to be our dad. I'm so done with this bullshit!"

In that moment Roger saw red. Autumn had never spoken like this before, all the emotions she kept pressed down were bubbling back up in the form and anger. Much like her father himself.

"You should learn to know your place girl!" Roger's voice got louder with every word as he threw the bottle in his hand against the wall, glass and alcohol flying everywhere
"Autumn go" Reece whispered to his sister behind him,
"What? No"
"Autumn. Go" his tone was stern yet Autumn could still hear the fear he was trying to hide.
"I'm not leaving you Reece. We stick together" the girl replied.
"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!" Roger continued.

As he began to walk up to the siblings, Reece met him half way
"You won't touch her" Reece, also was not one to stand up to his father. Truthfully, he was terrified. But Roger would not hurt Autumn the same way he hurt their mother. The same way he hurt him.

"Who do you think you are to talk to me that way?" Roger spits before pushing the 16 year old to the floor
"You need to learn how to address me properly girl" his voice was laced with the strong scent of alcohol on Autumn's face. And despite her heart pounding in her chest she had learned no emotion was better than allowing him to know you're scared.

Roger had grabbed her by the arm and dragged her up the stairs to her room. Autumn, knowing much better, did not fight her father off. Once he opened the door he shoved her inside and proceeded to pull a key chain from his pocket.

The girl sat on her floor, leaning against the now locked door which will most likely will stay locked for at least a few days. She felt absolutely terrible.

'Why did I do that? I'm such an idiot. I should never have said anything' the thoughts raced through her mind in all directions about how bad she messed up. It wasn't until her heard the excruciating sound of glass shattering downstairs that she really began to worry.

Roger's shouts echoed the halls with a few crashes. Until nothing. Nothing at all. The girl lifted her head from resting in her knees and removed her hands from her ears. Not one sound. She quickly rushed to her side table, picking up her phone to text her brother.

Big brother ♥️

Reece are you okay?
What happened?
Reece?
Please answer me
Reece?

I'm okay Aut, he just shouted and smashed a plate then passed out. I'm okay I promise.

Are you sure?
I'm so sorry Reece I didn't mean this

I'm fine. Go to sleep.

Autumn couldn't be 100% sure that her brother wasn't lying to protect her. But she could only take his word. Oh god. What have I done?