Jinxxed (Black Veil Brides)

Chapter Three

I don't talk or eat. I don't look at anyone. Mum begs me to say something, to ea something. I don't reply, and when my stomach gives a low grumble, Steven looks repulsively happy.

Yesterday, the four of us were driving back from Tesco and Steven had started to play my CD of Set the World on Fire.

"Wouldn't it be nice to see this band live?" Steven asked me, with a sick, twisted smile on his horrible face.

I didn't say anything to him and he cracked up laughing. He glared at Mum to joi in, who gave a high-pitched, nervous giggle.

It's the day of the gig. I would normally be exciting, buzzing around happily, and winding everyone up. Instead, I'm sitting at the table, miserable. Steven and mum haven't woken up yet.

"We're going to that concert today," Luke says to me as he butters a piece of toast.

"Shut up, Luke," I snap. He looks thrilled that I've finally said something.

"No," Luke shakes his head. "This is your favourite band. They're your heroes. I love you the most out of anyone in this family, and I'm going to make you happy,"

"Luke..." I sigh. "I appreciate it. But, accept it, Steven isn't going to let me go,"

"I have a plan," Luke winks at me. "And we're going to that concert. We're going to meet your heroes!

"What did you say, boy?" someone asks. Steven.

"Nothing, Dad," Luke says hastily and shoves his toast in his mouth.

"The attention-seeking brat saying anything?" Steven asks him.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here!" I snap.

"I'll talk about you however the hell I want, young lady," Steven replies. He gives a sudden smile, a horribly cruel one. "Got any plans for tonight, Katherine? Going to any concerts?" and he laughs his horrible laugh.

I just stare at him.

"Don't look at me like that," he hisses. "And tomorrow we're going to the clinic to get that damned tongue piercing removed,"

"No! I like it. It's my body, not yours!"

"Don't you dare talk back to me!" Steven shouts. "I'm not going to have scruffy, emo-freak kids under my roof!"

"I have the right-"

"You have no rights!" Steven explodes. "None at all! You're a minor! You're beneath me! Count yourself fucking lucky I haven't turned you out of my house, and into the streets!"

"So you'd get rid of me because of the way I look!?" I stand up angrily.

"Yes!" Steven stands up to. "You're an embarassment! You're a freak! You bring shame to this family!"

"I'M NOT YOUR FAMILY!" I scream at him. "YOU'RE NOTHING TO ME!"

He raises his hand and then my cheek is stinging.

"Steven, don't," Mum says nervously.

"She earned it and you know it," Steven snarls.

I stomp up the stairs to my room, clutching my cheek, and I slam the door behind me.

*

When there's an hour to go until the concert starts, I hear Steven locking my bedroom door.

"We're going out," I hear him talking to Luke. "And you're going to watch over that girl, you hear me boy? If I get hint that she's gone out, I'll fucking well kick you to kingdom come,"