FREEDOM #WATTPRIDE

*BONUS: 6 Feet Under Destiny

* The Origin story of Akamai Seouk [Now Known AS Ashley Karasuma-Grayson]

Three...two...one

Smack

The slap across the face hurt like hell.

But it didn't hurt as much as the words that come afterward.

 "You are nothing but a useless, disrespectful child. How dare you! I have always regretted the day you were conceived." She screams in my face and her spit lands on my cheeks. 

"But mama he..."

 Another slap

This one was so hard it sent me flying into the hardwood floor. I look to see my scrawny arms limp and my hands shaking.

 My stepfather walks up behind my mother and gently kisses her cheek. 

"It's ok. But just know if he does this again I'm leaving you for the woman at the market." He says and my mother starts to cry.

 I wanted to punch my stepfather in the face. 

But a five year old versus a thirty year old never wins.

 I giggle at the thought and feel the blood from my lip dribble down my cheek. 

"What are you laughing about, bastard child?"

 My stepfather stomps on my limp hand and my mother and I wince at the sickening crunch.

 I would scream but that never helps the damned situation or fix the hell I'm living in.

 "Take care of him outside, I don't want there to be blood on the floor." My mother says and stepfather picks me up by the back of my shirt collar. 

"No, Mama! Mama!"

She doesn't even look at me as she turns her back and continues sweeping like nothing happened.

Like I don't exist.

Emotionless.

 Be emotionless. 

You are useless. 

You are a disgrace. 

You are an idiot. 

You are trash. 

You are worthless.

 You are worthless. 

You are worthless. 

Numb Akamai. 

Go numb...

My stepfather pins me down on the ground with my face in the dirt. He takes my head and rubs my face in with the dirt and dust.

 "You see this. Although the dirt is ugly, at least it has a purpose. You, Akamai, are below dirt."

 He lets go of me and kicks my back.

 My soul had left my body long ago and now I was living in survival mode.

 Taking the opportunity I run.

My stepfather screams after me but I keep running. 

My heart racing as I jog into downtown Bridgeport. 

Through Reid's flower shop and hopping over a car parked in front of Walsh's garage. 

My unbuttoned plaid shirt flapping in the wind as I run without looking back.

I reach the end of the block and start running to the dirt path that leads to the beach.

 The pavement starts to feel hot against my feet and I look down to realize I didn't have shoes. 

While looking down I feet a sharp pain and go flying forward.

I look over to see a small kid about my age on a bright red bike. He hops off and runs over to me. 

He hit me with the bike. 

Is he blind? 

"Hey, are you okay?"

He asks as he comes close to me, with bright gray eyes that I had never seen before and jet black hair that falls just above his eyes. 

"You're an idiot."

 I laugh as I yank his arm causing him to fall forward while I run for the bike. 

I'm just able to get on before he attacks me and we tumble with the bike off the path and into the sand.

 "Hey, hey hey!"

 I hear a yell from behind me and see a guy who looked like a teenage version of the boy run up to us.

 "Papa! This kid tried to steal my bike!" The boy yells and the guy looks me up and down. 

"Hey, are you okay?" the guy bends over and asks me.

 I look into his light gray eyes and shake my head.

"Hey! Fucking bastard. Get your ass back home now you little shit!" 

My stepfather screams and the guy grabs me. Pulling me close to him.

 When my stepfather sees him, his eyes open wide and he falls into a deep bow. 

"Jonathan and Richard Grayson the second! My apologies on behalf of myself and the boy. Please forgive us!" 

My stepfather says while bowing and tilts his head up a little to narrow his eyes at me.

 "Do you know this man?" Richard asks me as he holds me close. 

His hands protectively grip my shoulders.

 I look at my stepfather, then back up at Richard. 

"Nope." 

"Why you little.."

 Richard interrupts him. 

"Ah, there must be a mistake then. Have a nice day sir."

 Richard says and pulls me down the path with him, tugging my hand. 

"But Papa!" the boy complains and Richard gives him a look.

 "Jonathan, he will be staying with us for a few days." Richard announces and I just go along with it.

Never once turning back.