Fake Smiles. Unheard Screams. Invisible Tears.

Me being the eldest means i get most of the responsibility.

Sitting in my room that i share with my sister, holding her close to me as well as my younger brother. I only 7 years of age as for my siblings 5 and 2. I cry silently as i listen to my parents continue to argue and yell at each other. My Fathers voice strong and my mother's weak. Standing up shakily and making cautious quiet steps towards my door, i can hear my parents voices grow slightly louder. Opening my door i stare horrified.

My sister begging me to close the door and sit with them again but i ignore her request and step out side, closing the door behind me. Looking around the room things were lying on the floor broken. "MARK!" I hear my mother yell.

Looking around the corner i see her on the ground holding the side of her stomach, while my dad stands a few feet away from her with a baseball bat. I run to my mother despite the fear that rise up and bubbled in side me. I dropped to my knees in front of her "Mummy, what happened?"

"Get back into your room Ashlee NOW!"

"But mum i-"

"Ashlee" My mother said warningly, screwing up her face in pain.

"Ashlee... Come here.." That voice. Him. Almost immediately i ran into his arms, knowing if i hesitated at any moment he would beat me senselessly. Daring myself i ask the question "Why? Why do you keep hurting us daddy?"

Silence. Dead silence.

Looking back at the man i feared the most and awaited his answer. My father. He was dark skinned almost black for he was aboriginal, he had huge muscles and tattooed arms and a shaved head. The only reason for his muscles were the drugs he took. Horse Steroids.

Feeling an impact to my cheek, my head jerked to the side. I lifted my hand and held the cheek that was now stinging from pain, slowly moving my head back to its original spot but kept my eyes fixed on the ground. Loosing my breath i fell the the floor, i could taste a metallic taste in my mouth. I stayed on the ground, not daring to move. Looking up at the ceiling i could see out of the corner of my eye, my farther making his way to my room.

The room with my siblings.

Picking myself up, stumbling slightly in the process, i walk into the kitchen and take an apple. Looking over the bench to see my dad rest his large hand on the handle. I take a calm breath in through my mouth and throw the apple. successfuly hitting my target in the head, watching as he stood for a moment before looking at my unconscious mum on the floor before laying those eyes on Me.

All his eye's showed was anger.

Ducking back down and hugging my legs to my knees, i let out the breath i had been holding before i call out a word that everyone else calls me in school, not knowing of its meaning i yell at the top of my voice "NIGGER!!" I hear his heavy foot steps make his way to the area i was occupying, his strong hands wrap themselves around my arm. I shut my eyes tight as i ready myself for the impact i was once again going to be forced to experience something i shouldn't be at this age or at any age.

I heard sirens out the front of our house, roughly shoving me he walked to the door before giving me a harsh glare. And i knew all to well what it meant, running to my mothers side and shaking her roughly desperately trying to wake her. Opening her eyes slowly i said one word "Sirens." Running into my bedroom and hugging my sister tightly and wiping her tears away i repeated the word and she walked into the kitchen with my younger brother on her hip.

Hearing my farthers voice welcome them in, I place my best smile i could on and so did my mother. Watching as the police walked into the kitchen and return the smile, my mother introduced herself and us to him.

Sitting beside him at table while he was having a coffee with my parents, i put a note into his pocket. He sat up and bid us all a goodbye before leaving.

He must have gotten the letter because hours later more police arrived and took my farther away. But not for good. The letter read: Fake Smiles. Unheard Screams. Invisible Tears.

And you wanna know how i know that?

Well, this girl. Ashlee... That girl is me.