Unwanted. Broken. Abused

Chapter 1

<Hope's p.o.v>
What does it feel like to be loved? What does it feel like to belong?
What does it feel like to have a family?

Thats just the thing. I don't know. All I've ever known is the hate and abuse I face every day. Everyday.

Everyday fearing what comes next. Fearing what new horrors Harvey has come up with. Always. Everyday.

Everyday waking up to pain. Everyday wanting to die. Everyday being unable to relive myself of the pain.

This is my life.

You can say what you want about me. I'm already broken. My soul is in billions of pieces and not even the best people could put them all back into place.

I guess I've got Harvey to thank for that.

All my family is dead, or so Harvey tells me. He took me in out of the 'kindness of his heart' but what he doesn't mention is that I'm his punch bag. His stress reliever.

I can't tell anyone. Otherwise more pain would be coming my way. I'm abused, broken and alone. Not to mention the fact I don't talk.

School isn't much better. I sit alone everywhere. Nobody talks to me and I don't want them to. Its not like they can, anyway. I don't want them to find out about Harvey, however they communicate.

Lets not forget Megan. She doesn't bully me, exactly, she just hates me. I don't even know why.

We used to be close. Back before Harley. Then this new girl came, Maria, and now she hates me. I still don't know why.

But its whatever, that's what you'd expect from a mute like me.

Anyway, enough about that. Let's get to my story first.

6:00am in the morning;

I groaned as my alarm clock woke me up, then I quickly snapped my mouth shut and tensed. If Harvey had heard that and woken up, I would be so dead.

Nothing.

Phew. That was close.

I quietly got dressed and ready for school.

When I was completely ready, it was 6:40, I had just enough time to make Harvey's breakfast. You see, in return for a roof over my head, Harvey said I had to repay him. I do that by making his breakfast every morning.

If the breakfast is 'unsatisfactory' he hits me. He hits me anyway, but he hits me harder. He also verbally abuses me. That's the worst.

I shake my head to rid of the thoughts about him. Suddenly, I smell smoke.

I looked down in panic to see the bacon had burnt. Great.

I sigh and place the breakfast on a plate. It'll have to do. I don't want to be late for school, then teachers will be asking questions. Questions which would eventually lead back to Harvey.

And I know we don't want that.

I place the breakfast on the table and attempt to get out the house as soon as possible. Harvey was always the most abusive in the mornings.

Then, just as I was getting my school bag, guess who came stomping down the stairs.

Just my luck.

"Oi, you little brat, you've burnt my bacon. I don't know where you think your going. You can stay right here."

I panicked. I got a notepad and pen and furiously wrote 'school' Harvey looked at it and grinned.

"I was thinking you could have the day off. Just me and you. One to one." I started writing again.

Teachers will ask questions

I hope this'll do it. Sure enough, Harvey sighed and let me go to school.

I hated school, but I hated Harvey more.

On my way to school, I bumped into what felt like a brick wall. I jumped back and looked fearfully up to see Xavier Trave. The school bad boy.

"Woah, what are you doing?" He demanded. I stumbled away.

"Hey! I asked you a question!" I kept running. He chased after me, until one of his mates came up to him and asked him,

"Hey, X! what are you doing talking to the mute?" Xavier shook his head and left me alone.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I only had to get through this day.