Broken But Strong

CHAPTER 6

The lights were off when I stepped into the house. I immediately held some hope that maybe, just maybe, Samuel had returned drunk and had gone straight to bed. And hopefully, he hadn't realised I was not back yet. 

My hopes were dashed yet again when I walked tentatively into the living room. Samuel was seated on the couch, a glass of wine in his hands as he raised it to his mouth and took a sip.

"Where have you been?" Samuel questioned monotonously.

Instantly, knew I was in deep trouble. I recognised that voice, the voice that I had heard one too many times. It was the calm before the storm.

I reluctantly bowed my head. Fear was eating me up, and yet I refused to show it.

"I was at work, sir." I replied.

"And where's my dinner?"Samuel asked.

I cursed myself in my head. I should have gone and bought dinner from La Chevlez, Samuel's favourite restaurant. If I had done that, I could have just said we ran out of food and I had to go and buy dinner. I would still have gotten a beating for being late, but it wouldn't be as bad as the beating I was about to receive.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll go and prepare dinner right away," I said hurriedly, pleading with him silently to let this matter drop.

My wishes were again unanswered.

Samuel stood up slowly, and grabbed something. In the darkness, I could not identify the object in his hands but as he advanced towards me slowly, it became clearer.

A whip.

He held a whip in his hands.

My fear doubled.

Samuel had never ever used a whip on me before. His weapons had only been his bare hands and occasionally, a hanger.

He stopped in front of me, hands stroking the whip as if it was his prized object.

"I spent quite some money on this. I should try it out, hmm?" He mocked.

Before I had a chance to brace myself,  he lifted the whip and brought in down onto my legs.

I screamed as my legs buckled, unable to stand the pain. The usual beating was nothing compared to this. 

Samuel looked unsatisfied at my pain. With no words spoken, he lifted the whip and brought it down onto my skin again and again, seeking pleasure seeing me in torment. My whole body felt numb and pure red blood was oozing out of the fresh wounds on my body. My grey hoodie looked like it had been soaked with red paint, and my black skinny jeans turned a shade darker.

Finally satisfied, Samuel pulled me by my hair as he yanked me up from the floor. 

"Never forget your responsibilities, bitch." He snarled in my ear.

I was too weak to answer. I couldn't feel my legs and my body was just numb. The only part left unharmed was my face, and for that, I was grateful. Being abused continuously was taking a toll on my body. 

Samuel let go of my hair and I dropped to the floor, having no strength to support myself. 

"Clean up the mess you made. I want to see it gone by tomorrow morning." Samuel smirked as he stepped past me and made his way up to his room.

I laid on the floor as tears found their way out of my eyes. I sat there, mourning for many things.

The loss of my father,

The loss of my mother,

And the loss of a person's humanity.

After laying on the floor for a few hours, I dragged myself up. My legs were too weak to support my body. I grabbed a cloth from the cupboard nearby and sat on the floor while cleaning the mess up.

Making sure the floor was clean, with absolutely no blood on it, I dragged myself up the stairs, using the railings as support to pull myself up the steps one by one.

Once I reached my room, I laid on my bed as I whimpered softly.

Some people were just born with tragedy in their blood, and I was unfortunate to be one of the few.

The hope that I would, one day, find a place I could call my home, was gone.

This was my life, and there was no running away from it.

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Author's Note:

Hey all! 

Sorry I haven't updated in two weeks.

I'll try to update soon.

Hope y'all liked this chapter.

PS: Did this chapter make you guys feel really emotional? Cause it did for me:"(

-Regine