The first light of dawn barely penetrated the heavy curtains of Valerie's small bedroom, casting long shadows on the worn wooden floor. The air was thick with the lingering scent of last night's alcohol and the stale odor of cigarettes. Outside, the town of Riverton was slowly waking up, but the sounds of life were muted, as if the town itself was reluctant to face another day.
Valerie rose quietly, careful not to wake her father, Marcus, who was passed out in the living room. She could hear her mother, Eleanor, moving about the kitchen, the clatter of pots and pans a familiar, if not comforting, sound. The smell of burnt toast and weak coffee filled the air, a stark contrast to the warmth and love that should have been present.
Valerie entered the kitchen, her eyes meeting her mother's tired, resigned gaze. Eleanor's face was lined with worry and exhaustion, her movements slow and deliberate as she prepared breakfast.
"Good morning, Mom. Can I help with anything?"
Eleanor replied, "Just set the table, dear. And be quiet. We don't want to wake your father."
As they worked in silence, the tension was palpable. The peace was shattered when Marcus stumbled into the kitchen, his eyes bloodshot and his mood foul.
He roared,"Where's my breakfast? Why is it always so late?"
Eleanor tried to comfort him by saying, "It's almost ready, Marcus. Please, sit down."
Marcus grumbled and took a seat, glaring at Valerie as if her very presence was an affront.
He spat, "And you, girl, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Always sneaking around, thinking you're better than us."
Valerie bit her tongue, knowing that any response would only make things worse. She finished setting the table and retreated to a corner, trying to make herself as small and unobtrusive as possible.
Later in the day, Valerie ventured out to run errands for her mother. The streets of Riverton were narrow and lined with old, crumbling buildings. The townspeople were already out, gossiping and casting judgmental glances at anyone who dared to deviate from their rigid norms.
As Valerie passed by Mrs. Jenkins' house, the old woman called out to her.
"Valerie, come here. I heard your father was at the tavern again last night. Such a shame, really. You should be more like your mother, having more endurance and soft spoken."
Valerie forced a polite smile, nodding as she listened to the unsolicited advice.
"Yes, Mrs. Jenkins. I'll try my best."
Inside, she seethed with frustration. The constant comparisons and the weight of expectations were suffocating. She longed for a way out, a chance to escape the oppressive atmosphere of Riverton.
As Valerie continued her errands, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. The town's narrow-mindedness and her father's oppressive behavior weighed heavily on her. She yearned for freedom, for a life where she could pursue her dreams without fear of judgment or retribution.
Valerie's POV
"Why must I endure this? Why can't I be free to live my own life? There has to be more to the world than this suffocating town."
Valerie’s mind often wandered to her secret passion: psychology. She had always been fascinated by the human mind and wanted to understand why people behaved the way they did. But in Riverton, such ambitions were seen as foolish for a woman.
“I want to study psychology, to help people like my mother, to understand my father’s anger. But how can I even begin in a place like this? Where would I go? Who would support me?”
The confusion about her future gnawed at her. She felt torn between her duty to her family and her desire to break free and pursue her dreams. The oppressive atmosphere of Riverton made it seem impossible, yet the fire within her refused to be extinguished.
“I can’t stay here forever. I need to find a way out, but where do I start? Every step feels like a betrayal, yet staying feels like a slow death.”
Her inner conflict grew stronger with each passing day. She knew that breaking free would not be easy, but the desire for change burned within her, fueling her determination to find a way out.
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Hidden Scars
General Fiction#The story may have some mature scenes. Read at your risk. A poignant tale of survival, empowerment, and the unbreakable spirit of a woman determined to rise above her circumstances. Valerie, a young woman trapped in a world of abuse and control...
