B.A.T (Murdock LS)

Chapter 1

20 years ago

"James! James, it's time for dinner!"

I looked up from the creek that I was playing in just as a boy ran through it. He splashed water all over the front of my white dress and face.

"Ahhh! You idiot! I'm gonna be killed for this!" I shouted at the boy. He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me. His face scrunched up into a half smile before he ran back.

"Sorry 'bout that. My mama gets upset when I'm late for dinner," he apologized. I smiled at him before wiping the muddy water off my face and shaking it off my hand. A few drops landed on the boys face.

"Whoops," I said with a bright smile. "I'm Beatrice, but call me Ashley. It's my middle name." I held out my dirty hand for the boy to shake.

"James, but everyone calls me..." I stared at the boy as he paused with a grin on his face. "James." We both burst out laughing. I push my white blonde hair out of my eyes and looked at James' hair.

"You have brown hair. I didn't notice that. I haven't really seen anyone with brown hair before." I stated. James squints his green eyes at me before chuckling.

"Well I've never seen anyone with almost purple eyes," James retorted. Before I could answer another shout from James' mother stopped me.

"I swear James! If you are not home in the next thirty seconds," the woman cut her threat short. James' eyes widened and he took off running.

"Bye Ashley!" He shouted behind him.

"Bye James!"

I looked up at the sky to see the sun going down. As darkness started to fall I made my way back to my family's small trailer house. Momma was sitting in a lawn chair with one of her romance novels in her lap. A dark bruise was forming on her left cheek.

"Come here Ashley," Momma ordered quietly. I shuffled my way over, trying not to make any noise so David doesn't hear me. He was always drinking and beating on Momma and I.

"He hit you again Momma," I whispered. Momma turned so I couldn't see her bruise.

"Shh, it's okay darling. He's sleepin' right now. But he's gonna be mad when he sees your dress," she said. "What happened this time?"

"A boy down the road accidentally splashed water on me, but it's okay! He was really nice with brown hair. It was the first time I saw someone with brown hair!" I explained. Momma laughed and pulled me into a hug.

"Yes, well we need to get you cleaned up." I followed her up the stairs and into the trailer. My face scrunched up in disgust at the sight and smell of alcohol bottles. Momma moved to block my sight as she took me to the bathroom.

"Now, sit still while I go get you some PJ's." Momma walked out of the bathroom and towards the only bedroom in the trailer. All of us sleep in one room, but David normally passed out on the couch.

A minute later Momma came back with a purple nightgown for me. She smiled and helped me out of the dirty dress. After the nightgown was on Momma set me on the floor and ushered me towards the mattress I sleep on.

"Go on Ashley. I'll clean the dress the best I can. You go on to sleep," she said. I nodded and rubbed my eyes before heading to the room. When I got into the bedroom David was passed out on top of the covers. I snorted in disgust as I moved to my tiny mattress. My bed was covered in pink blankets and pillows, even though Momma knows I hate the color. The second my head hit the pillows I fell asleep.