Chapter One - Amara

5 1 2
                                    

My ring tone pulled me out of a not so deep sleep. I hated sleeping at hotels, but I hated sleeping at home more. I rolled over so I could look at the clock. It was 2AM, why would somebody be calling me this early? Unless.... I plucked my phone off the hotel nightstand to check the caller.The screen read 'Dad'. Okay, that answered my question. I hesitantly hit the answer button, somewhat curious about what the screaming would be about this time.
"Where are you!?" He spat. I flinched when I heard his angry tone. No, not angry, infuriated. I flinched and we weren't even in the same room. How pathetic is that?
"I told you, Dad. I went to go meet up with a friend." That was a lie. I didn't have friends, but he didn't know that. He didn't understand that the people he hired didn't count. I just needed to get away from him. From everyone.
"I need you home right now!" He screamed.
"Dad,, it's 2AM. I can't come home now. Can it wait until the morning?" I couldn't go home now. But I feared the consequences if I didn't. He always came up with the most cruel and definitely unusual punishments, and I didn't feel like partaking in any of them at the moment.
"You will come home now, or you won't be allowed to eat for a week." He'd actually do that too. He would force the cook not to prepare me anything, and if I tried to go down myself, I'd find all of the cabinets and fridge locked. I would ask the cook to make me something in secret, but my dad was awful to him too, even though our cook is the sweetest man alive. I never wanted him to cook for me, but he was insisted. Josh Cathrine had us all trapped, and he loved reminding us of it.
"Okay, I'll be home as soon as I can. I'm sorry." I said, my eyes nearly flooding with tears. I was scared out of my mind.
"You will be sorry." I couldn't even see him and I could picture the evil smirk on his arrogant face. He knew just how to intimidate me, and I hated him for it. Everyone did. I guess that's how he got to be such a good lawyer, just for the wrong people.
Right after he replied with that last little threat, I heard the beep indicating that he had hung up. I sat my phone down with a loud sigh, and started gathering my things. This was going to be a long night.
--------
I drove up into the driveway and put the car in park, taking a second to breathe before having to go inside and answer for my actions. What actions exactly? I had no idea, but I was always doing something wrong in my father's eyes.
I was thankful that I was his only child. I wouldn't want the guilt of having to protect someone, or having someone protect me. I was fine on my own. I needed no one. It's not like my father would ever let me have anyone. I was a possession, I was trapped.
After gathering my thoughts the best I could, I got out of the car, opened up the trunk, and took out what little belongings I had. He never let me keep much. He said I did nothing to deserve it. Maybe I didn't deserve anything.
I carried my stuff, wincing at the burn my backpack straps etched into my arms. Tears spring to my eyes at the memory. I needed to get out of here. I fumbled for my key, unlocking the door, hoping no one was waiting to greet me on the other side.
I inched open the door, my stomach growling at the thought of having no food. I guess it wasn't the worst outcome. I looked into the doorway to find no one waiting for me. I sighed in relief. At least I was safe for the night, hopefully.
I quietly walked up the stairs and into my room. I used to love this room, that was before my mom died. That's when everything went downhill. I don't think I'll ever feel safe again.

Silent SoldierWhere stories live. Discover now