Broken

Chapter 8

I came in the house, surprised to see Hera sitting on the ground, crying. She looked up when she saw me, hate burning in her eyes.
I hated her, but this didn't look good. "I-is s-omething wrong?" I asked.
She sniffled and handed me the house phone she was holding. I took it and listened.
"Ma'am, it will be all right." Someone was saying.
"Hello?" I said.
"Is this still Hera Chase?" The voice said.
"No." I answered. "This is her uh, step daughter, Annabeth."
"Oh hello, Annabeth." It said. The voice was female, and it was very soothing. "This is the Manhattan Emergency Room. Your father, Mr. Chase, came in a few hours ago, he was in a car crash."
My heart was beating very fast. "Is he alright?"
"I'm afraid not." She said. "His heart stopped a few minutes ago. He's gone on."
My heart stopped too.
"I-I" I stammered, not knowing what to say. "Thank you." I chose, my voice surprisingly calm.
"I'm sorry ma'am."
"Thank you." I repeated.
The phone slipped out of my hand before I could hang up. I hardly noticed it crash to the ground and shatter.
I ran up to my room and threw myself into my pillow, sobbing.
Why? I thought. Why is my life so horrible!
After a few hours of sobbing, my brothers came into my room.
"Annabeth." Bobby said. "It's okay."
They sat next to me on my bed, and Bobby rubbed my back. "It's going to be fine."
I sniffled and sat up. Both of my brothers wrapped their arms around me in a group hug. We sat there for a few minutes, not saying anything. After a while, Hera called them down and they left.
I sat there for a minute longer, then Hera called me. I came downstairs. Matthew and Bobby weren't there. Hera had probably sent them to do something.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence. Hera had been sitting at the dining table with her head in her arms, but now she looked up at me.
For a moment, I saw something in her eyes that I had never seen before. It was something broken. Something that had shattered in there, and was unfixable. Then she focused her eyes, and the same loathing that she always saved for me replaced it.
She slowly stood up, and didn't even say anything before slapping me across the face. I rubbed my already raw face as she punched the other sighed. Then she kicked me with her high heels in my stomach. With a grunt, I fell to the ground. She repeatedly kicked me. On my ribs, on my stomach, on my face, everywhere. She was screaming at me, but I was in too much pain to listen. Then she started throwing things at me. Shoes, wine glasses, bowls, pieces of fruit, and stuff that I couldn't even identify. I just lay there, in unbelievable agony. Each time I was struck, Hera earned another yelp of pain from me.
Finally she stopped. She stumbled out of the kitchen, probably to get drunk.
I lay there for little longer, too weak to stand up. I finally took a deep breath and pulled myself up. I cried out in pain, as I felt my ribs crack. 
I barely managed to make it up to my room before collapsing on the ground. I shock with fear and pain before doing something I've never done before. I pulled out a knife that my dad had always told me to carry, in case someone needed to use it. I pulled out my arm and held the blade up to my wrist. I hesitated before I pulled it down.
Never let anybody hurt anybody or anything with this. My dad had told me when he gave it to me. Do you promise that no one will ever get hurt with this knife?
I promise. I had told him.
I shut my eyes and dropped the knife. Then I collapsed on the ground again, sobbing like I never had before.
I slowly got up and knelt down on my knees. I folded my hands and bowed my head.
If there really is a God up there, I prayed. Please help me. Send me a sign  that someone is watching over me. Send me a sign that someone cares and loves me. Send me a sign that things will get better soon.
I slowly stood up and sat on my bed. I needed something to distract me before I broke down again.
I pulled out my backpack and did my homework. Later, Matthew knocked on my door and came in.
"Hey, Annie." He sat on my bed, next to me. "W-we made some dinner for you. Come down and eat with us."
I shock my head. "I'm not hungry."
He sat there for a moment longer. I think he was going to say something, then he thought better. Instead, he stood up and walked out of my room, shutting the door behind him.
I lay down, and fell asleep crying.

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Hi everybody! I know I said I might not be on, but I just had to write this. I might be able to get on tomorrow morning, but I'm not sure.
Anyway, I'm sorry about this chapter. I actually almost cried while writing it.
Goodbye!