Just Gretel

1.

The woods have always been my favourite place. For as long as I can remember. It's one thing that I definitely inherited from my Mom. They offer solitude. They are quiet. In this day and age most people stay inside or go shopping and don't appreciate the joys of nature. That doesn't bother me though. It means that the woods are my secret place. I won't be disturbed. I can escape reality. Just me and my thoughts. No distractions.

At the same time, I hate the woods. With a burning passion. I was in the woods when my Dad and Stepmom left me all alone. They were the last place I saw before I realised that my family was no longer normal. It was the place that I went that gave them time to leave me. I can't blame the woods though. They do nothing to harm anyone. Claudia is to blame. She is an evil cow and that's putting it politely. She ruined my family. Ripped it apart by the seams. Seams that had only recently been sewn up.

After my Mom died, Dad was a mess. He was an alcoholic and a drug addict. It was because of this that my brother Hunter left. He drove Hunter away. That is what made Dad realise that he had to piece his life back together. He went to a therapist and several support groups. He slowly but surely fixed his life. He started a new job, brought in some more money. It was at his job that he met Claudia.

Claudia was a middle aged woman who had recently been through a divorce. She was nice and kind and unfortunately I fell in to her trap. Dad dated her for a year before they got married. After that, she dropped her mask when my dad wasn't around. She was horrible. She made me do all the chores. She hit me. The bruises were visible but my Dad didn't question them. Not once. She generally abused me. I could tell that she didn't want me around, but I never thought that she would do anything about it. I guess I was wrong. She corrupted my father. She took him away from me. Do you want to know what the worse part is? He chose her over me. His second wife over his only daughter. He proved by marrying Claudia, that he could always get another wife, but I am his only daughter and I will always be his only daughter. He isn't going to have another one. Ever.

I don't know where she took him. I don't know where they went. But what I do know is that they aren't coming back any time soon, if at all. I also know that nobody can know that they left. If they do then I will be carted away to some foster home and that is not happening so I try to keep everything as normal as possible. I go to bed at a reasonable time. I do all my homework. I keep the hose tidy. On top of all of that, I work at the cafe on town. I did that before they left as well so it doesn't cause any suspicions. Everything is the same. Everything except for their absence.

There is only one person that knows about my 'situation'. I don't even know the person. I don't know their name. I don't know their age. I don't know where they come from. I don't know what they look like. Hell. I don't even know whether they are male of female. I really know nothing. Only their twitter name. fairytaleendings. It sounds really cheesy but that person knows everything. My story. My situation.  Everything except personal details.

He or she has helped me through everything from my mother's death to my dad leaving to my maths homework. They help with everything and ask for nothing in return. I really wish that I could meet them in real life and properly thank them for everything they have done for me. I would give them the biggest hug and then listen to all their problems. My advice would probably be absolute rubbish, but I would be repaying them for their help.

I have decided to, in the future, help people like he/she has helped me. Whether it is online or in person, I want to help people with their problems. No matter how big or small. I want to help. I guess that is what a therapist does. Maybe I would become a therapist. I work hard enough at school. I could do it. I can become a therapist. If I save for university, that is. I'll have to start saving.

I have seen the difference a therapist can make. A therapist helped my dad. In the end it took him away from me but we were a happy half family for some time. It helped him and it can help others.

A/N: This just got really deep. This is my first fanfiction and I can't wait to write more. I might not update regularly because I am a surprisingly busy girl and I've got school. But I'll try to update as much as possible.

This story is supposed to be kind of a modern day spin off of Hansel and Gretel but I'm sure if it will completely follow the original fairy tale.

Thank you so much for reading. I hoped you enjoyed.

-Your bae Oaklee