The Truth Untold

Chapter 10

"It is such a beautiful day." Chiara thought happily as she peeked out her window. The sun's rays added to the Sparkle which she felt.
Looking around her room, she could not help but admire how neat it was. The room was painted in fuchsia pink, the same colour as her favourite nightgown, which she loved to wear.
Hearing echoes of laughter, she raced to her bedroom door and rushed into the kitchen. The aroma of toast, eggs and chocolate tea greeted her.
Opening her arms her mom received her with a huge hug.
" How was your night Chiara?"
Chiara beamed at her mom. "Very good, thank you mom!" she replied.
Sitting at the table, Chiara glanced at Gary. He smiled. Chiara was so happy. Her heart sang as she enjoyed the delicious breakfast.

" Cluck, cluck cluck!" Chiara jumped out of her sleep, knocking her head against the bench.
Scrambling to a sitting position, she looked around quickly. There was the alarm! A brown hen and four chicks. The mother was scratching away at the weeds, clucking at her chicks, as if to say " Come and get it!"
The chickens followed their mom as the hen continued on her journey of feeding and protecting.
"How long have I been asleep?" Chiara asked herself.
Slowly, segments of her reverie returned.
Chiara shook her head to dismiss it, wondering if that day would ever come.
Back to reality.
The Savannah was still deserted except for the wonderful feathered family.
Glancing towards the street, it dawned on her that school had been dismissed.
Children were anxiously walking home, to be received by their parents, play games, watch television or just to do what children do.
On their way to their homes, where someone would miss them, if they were late.
Chiara gathered her bag and her courage. She rose from the sanctity of the bench, took a deep breath  and left for the house.
Chiara's faith stayed with her as the distance to her home shortened.
Nearing the house, she paused. The sudden stabs of tension had returned, embracing her like a hug. One which she so longed for.
Thoughts of her stepdad's hatred for her, made her shudder.
Chiara was an excellent student, especially in English Language, but could have never seem to endorse the concept of group work.
She functioned better on her own.
Added to the fact that she felt the need for absolute perfection, she seemed to be overly conscientious.
How could anyone have suspected that behind that brave facade, a wall was crumbling down, bit by bit?
How could they have known that falling short of her duties meant her stepdad's belt, scourging a little girl's  back?
The next day's welts and bruises, concealed by a uniformed silence.

That night, it got worst.
Chiara was fast asleep on the floor of the living room, when she felt cold paws creeping up her legs. She sat up!
Her feeble attempts to scream was muffled by something being stuffed in her mouth.

The man whom that entire family worshipped. The man whom Chiara's psyche was entrusted to attempted to prise her legs apart.
He was rewarded with a kick from Chiara as she scrambled off the floor and attempted to escape.
His intoxicated arm grabbed  her hair.
Awkwardly, Mr. Awkward lifted Chiara by her hair and slammed her against the wall.
He stood there grinning as she slid to the floor. Chiara wondered why her mom was out that late.
Unbuckling his belt, Mr. Awkward proceeded to yield belt after belt on her back, face , legs and head.
Though in pain and terribly scared, Chiara cried silently. The piece of cloth had fallen out of her mouth, but, she dared not scream, for fear of waking his children. That would have been a double dose of his rage.

Suddenly, her brother appeared. With a leap which outdid a frog, Gary was on Mr. Awkward's back
He began to pound away at his hand, to loosen his grip on the belt.
Chiara could not move an inch.
She was bruised and sobbing uncontrollably.
Attempting to release the grip which Gary had on him, Mr. Awkward slammed his back into the wall, hurtling the little boy in the process.
He then raged out of the room.

Chiara's vision was swimming back and forth.
Still sobbing and in extreme pain, she crawled to her brother, and lay on his lap.
Gary just sat there, staring at nothing.
That night, Chiara prayed like never before. "Daddy, please come back. Please Daddy."
Gasping in pain, she hoped that one day soon, her father would appear and take them both far away from that painful prison.