Under A Dark Cloud

Chapter 1

Slapping me down with full force, I immediately tumbled on the ground, holding my stinging red cheek as I looked at my drunk foster father. Tears started to swell in my eyes but I didn't dare cry. Not in front of him.

" You brainless 20 year old whore! You think you can just live here as long as you want after getting fired from your job and living in our money?! I don't think so! " Greg slurred and raised his hand to deliver another blow but I never felt it and I heard a bone cracking thump.

Opening up my eyes, I was horrified when I saw my foster mom took the hit for me and was on the ground, her nose bleeding and her cheek swollen red and starting to form a bruise.

Despite being knocked down, she tried her best to stand up but stumbled down back in the ground. I immediately crawled to her and assessed her a bit, hearing her repeat the words, " I'm alright. "

" And you as well, you filthy whore for bringing this stupid child home and wasting our money on her! If you didn't bring her home, this wouldn't have happened in the first place, none of this shit wouldn't have happened at all! "

I saw Amanda's nose flare in anger and countered him back by shouting,

" It has always and has been happening before I even had her! This so called ' shit ' of a happening would have stopped if you just quit wasting your money and life on your boo- "

My foster mom was cutted off as he curled his fist again and threw it right at her again but this time, I took the hit and my head hit the ground hard because of the impact. I could taste something metallic in my mouth as I groaned out in pain.

" Keira! " Amanda immediately went to my side and hugged me to her chest as she tried to protect me.

In her embrace, I could feel her whole body shaking in fear but I know she refuses to show that she is scared of him and remained her strong voice.

" Leave her alone, Greg. Enough's enough. Just go back to our room and go yap there instead. I'll go there later to help you deal whatever this is. Just leave her alone, " Amanda spoke in her normal but slightly commanding tone.

I heard Greg let out a ' tsk ' and spat,

" Let's see how long you can keep protecting her and you keeping up with this shit before it all takes to a new level and that next time will be a last time. "

I listened as I heard heavy footsteps going up and fading out until there was a loud bang in closing the door. I flinched a bit and tried to stand up but Amanda supported me and  helped me up.

As she helped me by letting me sit up first, I took a good look at her face. The bruise in her cheek started to color in a nasty purple looking hue, her nose have stopped bleeding but there are still traces of blood ,and the worst is that I could see the moisture in her eyes, knowing she was about to cry.

Unable to hold it in, I let the tears run as I took her in my embracing, feverishly apoligizing for this kind of things to happen to her and wish it was me taking all the hits instead.

Amanda comforted me and as she pushed me back softly for her to wipe away the tears as she spoke,

" Don't be so hard on yourself, darling. When it happens, then it happens. Mostly, because of him. "

She stroked my brown chestnut hair in a comforting caress as I continued to cry, still apoligizing to her between my sobs.

" I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I made you suffer for 20 long years. I'm sorry for letting this happen to you- "

" Hush now. Remember when I told you the first time i saw you inside a box and you opened those golden hazel eyes of yours as you gave me a smile? That moment took my entire breathe away because you were the most beautiful angel i've seen in my whole life and I knew that i just have to care for you and started raising you as my own. From that day on I never regretted raising you at all because I love you, Keira. I love you as you are my own... "