Saving Ben

How could anyone be so cruel? As a child I always thought that people were kind hearted to everyone they saw and everyone lived a long happy life. But when my mother passed three years ago, I realized I was wrong. I realized that people can die young and people can be cruel. My father is one of them. I thought my father was just mourning

for the loss of his wife. But then after some time, I realized he was just an abusive person.

I think thats why my mother died. My brother and I were maybe the the only reason she was alive. She just wanted to protect us from the bruises and scars. I know that that sounds a little insane. But the last few years of her life she always. wore long sleeves or a jacket. She always said she wasn't hot but we live in Texas, and Texas is hot. One sunset I saw her bruises and scars and new cuts. I cried all night, but I didn't tell her that I saw.

"Danny! Get down here 'fore I come up there and you get a whoopin'!" My father shouted. (Like usual) I rushed down the steps in the rags I wore daily and shivered when I heard his voice. "That lil' brat needs to keep his nose out of my business!" I replied very quietly with "I'm sorry Dad, it won't happ-" Before I could even apologise he had grabbed my hair and dragged me to my little brother Ben. "Since you are suppose to take care of tha' brat, you get the punishment!" Dad screamed in my ear. Ben was only six and had chocolate eyes and shining brown hair. I am Danielle, seventeen, I have ugly brown eyes and dull brown hair.

I don't even remember my father like the way he is now. He was always very protective, but never showed any anger towards my brother and me. Whenever I think about how he was sweet to us I remember his stunning smile and thick brown eyebrows. Now I never see that smile of his. I know he still has a heart somewhere deep in his dark soul. I just wish it would show more often.

School was probably the highlight of my day. The bad lunch there tasted even better than what my father gave us to eat. The classes were always nice too, but I was bullied. Everyone knew me, but not in a great way. Considering everyone calls me the nerd in rags. But I always say to myself that being bullied is better than being beaten. I will admit, I love reading and I listen to every word a teacher has to say. Since I'm seventeen I am trying to take in as much information as possible for when I turn eighteen and get out of the house. When I turned eighteen I could go somewhere. Anywhere. As long as it was away from the horrible place I was living at. When I thought of this it always made me smile. Then I would think about Ben. About how he would be stuck and would get beaten instead of me.

So something needs to happen so Ben and I can live in peace and not be yelled at. I just wish....

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Hey everyone :) if you have read this thank you! I want to know what you guys think so please leave a comment or a message. Ill have chapter 2 up soon xoxo