Knight-mare stories

Chapter 3

Once Reece returned to school he was bombarded by questions about his absence. Cranford private school was big on attendance, he made the excuse he had been attacked by a dog. Roger always tired to keep Reece on a short leash, so he threated his son in order to keep his beating a secret. People would used to bully Reece in school, he wasn't like the other kids. He was funny, secretly sensitive and empathised with people. Everyone in school called him "reecey", apart from Autumn of course. Mia had started the nick name and he didn't mind it as much when she said it. On the other hand no one dared to speak to Autumn, she was very unhinged when it came to revenge. One time she had witnessed someone bulling Reece and somehow filled their locker with dead birds! Autumn excelled in tests and Reece was just "average". Of course though you would never spot her test results ,hung up by memorable souvenir magnet, on the fridge. Although the family travelled much, it was for Roger's delight, the kids would be left in the hotel room all day to their own devices. As Mia, Reece and Autumn made their way to their classes, they came across a girl called Deliah, sitting and writing on her note-pad on the floor. She was a strange quirky girl, no one would go near her. Unlike Autumn it wasn't because they feared her, more because she was weird. She could be found eating her lunch in the bathrooms, she would often hang out by herself their. "Hey dee dee" Said Mia with a forced smile, she felt bad for her so she tried to become her friend. "Mi-ah!" Replied Deliah excitedly. Although she wasn't interested in friends, she did like Mia.

Often at night Autumn stayed awake pondering why she stays another day, why she choses to keep being a piece in her father's monopoly board. She would often lay flat on her bed, swarmed by darkness and drowning in her own thoughts. Little did she know Reece would be doing the exact same thing just doors away. She knew there would be no way out until she could move away, Roger made both of them feel as though they would always need him. And that they could never escape him, he is a master manipulator. Autumns would hum music to herself to try and soothe the ache in her brain she felt 24/7.

She then remembered one time when she was seven. She was dressed in a gorgeous pink night gown with white thrills, carrying her favourite teddy bear. When she walked pass her parents room, she found a small peep hole in the door. "Oh stop being so dramatic!" Lectured Roger. "Roger stop it, please!" Begged her mother desperately in tears. All then went silent, only her mothers heavy breathing could be heard. Autumn then saw Roger kiss her mother on the cheek. Then hug her, before using his hand to violate her body further in a gesture of "love". As soon as rogers palm slapped her bottom, she looked as though she was going to shed a tear, but she stayed strong. Autumn's vision then went blurry, as she sighed and took a step back to process what had just happened. Her young eyes had been scared by her father's actions. After Roger had finished with his wife, he made his way to the door handle. Autumn tried to hide but her efforts were in vain. Before she could even try to scram out the way, the door had opened. Her father's eye was twitching up and down, as he stared at her with fury in his eyes. Roger snatched her by the wrist and began squeezing it with enough power to make her yelp in pain. "Roger let go!" Her mother pleaded. Roger turned around and yelled "OH HUSH YOU STUPID COW!" All the commotion had woken Reece up from his slumber, his heart began to race. Roger than threw autumn onto the ground and began marching towards her mother. The terror in Autumn and Reece's mother looked like a thousand yard stare. Autumn on the floor began scrambling for the strength to pick herself up and run, but her legs were like jelly. Reece them rushed outside his door to go and rescue Autumn from their abuser. "It's okay aut, I'm here", said Reece as he took Autumn by the hand. "Cover your ears and eyes for me" He said, trying to protect her as much as possible. Thankfully the door slammed behind the children before they could witness their father take his rage out on their mother. They could hear screaming, shouting and crying all night long.

The next morning Roger stomped into Autumn's room with a devious smirk on his face. Whilst his daughter was sleeping his yanked the teddy bear she had been caring the previous night out of her delicate arms. "What are you doing?" She wined after just being awakened. "Punishing you for being a sneaky little brat!" He said mockingly in her face. He than began pacing around the house to reach the fire pit. Autumn chased him, begging him to give it back. Roger ignored her pleading. He than began taunting her with the bear, whilst dangling it above the fire place. "Please dad!", she said, but there was no point in reasoning with him. This may even of been the last time Roger heard the words "dad" out of his daughter's mouth, and with that he carelessly swung the bear into the flames. He watched as his daughter stood and saw her favourite comfort item be consumed by the roaring fire. Autumn then got on her knees to try and salvage what was left of the toy, as Roger watched with no remorse in sight.