60 seconds

2). Growing Up

Rosey's pov -

Creaking stairs and a loud bang on my door fills my room. "Rosey get out of bed its time for you to leave" Jonah's voice booms. This is the typical way of my day going about. The person who is supposed to be my father, but makes me call him Jonah, wakes me up like this and my day starts off.

I hop out of bed quickly not wanting to make him mad and get changed into my yellow day dress. I run to the bathroom and pick up my brush trying so hard to get the snarls out before he feels as though I'm taking too long. I finally manage to tame my curly hair with water and throw it up in a pony while quietly running down the stairs. I don't want to let him hear me, maybe I can make it out the door without him noticing.

I reach the final step and a loud creak fills the house. No, not today is all I can think. He rounds the corner so fast that I had no time to move. He grabs my arm and starts dragging me towards the kitchen. "You really think you can just leave this morning? On Joy's death day?!" His face starts to twitch and I know I'm done for. "This is the 6th year anniversary of my wife's death, all thanks to you. You ruined so many peoples lives, how do you sleep at night huh? Knowing that your just a little monster who takes people away? Kills their joy?" His grip gets tighter on my arm and now he's screaming, "You need to be punished!" He drags me further into the kitchen and I see a hot kettle on the stove. It's just about ready.

"You'r going to hold your hand on that kettle for 6 minutes. Each minute represents a year you've taken her from me. YOU GOT THAT" I don't even have a choice as he yanks my hand towards the kettle and I scream. I've gotten used to his beatings. Him using his belt on my back or almost drowning me in the tub when I'm trying to wash, but this, this was too much I couldn't take it. I tried to fight but it didn't work, my hand felt like it was on fire. The more I struggled the tighter he held my hand there so I let my hand go limp. He thought I just gave up and would take it. He let go of my hand and without a second thought I ran for the back door.

He's a fat amity leader that can't keep up. We have a house out in the back of the compound so we have no neighbors. It's a mile until we reach civilization.

With my legs pumping I barely feel the burn on my hand and I can't stand to look at it. I finally reach the main hall where Johanna will be. I burst through the door and see her standing in the middle of the hall. I push my little legs faster still fearing he might be behind me with that kettle.

"Johanna, Johanna!" I start squeaking out. "Please help me! He's done it again!" I show her my hand and she looks repulsed. I look down to my hands and see that it looks like I lost skin and it's almost bubbling. "Rosey!" She looks appalled "What happened! You burned your hand?" Oh no, not this again! Someone needs to believe me! "Johanna, it was Jonah! He got mad that it was Joy's death day and he made me hold my hand on a kettle for 6 minutes!" I start crying, the pain slowly seeping back as I remember the event.

"ROSEY!" He crashes in. He realizes the amount of people in here and that Johanna is here. His appearance changes and he looks like he's trying to hide the twitch. He strolls over here with a look of concern, he kneels down to me and asks to see my hand. He then looks up to Johanna and apologizes. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what's been getting into her. I mean this is the millionth time she's been accusing me of being an abusive parent. I'm growing concerned on where she's getting this idea from. I am an amity leader of course. We believe in kindness. This little one wanted tea this morning and went to make it without telling me. She burned herself and ran out of the house. Again my apologies I don't want to be unkind and make your morning stressful." He starts to stand as she pats his shoulder, "kids are kids. You can never tell what they make up in their heads. I do believe you as I've known you all my life. You've never shown an ounce of unkindness. And yes, you are an amity leader. There is no way you would ever hurt your child." She turns to me and locks eyes, "Honey, that was very unkind. Can you please apologize to your father. And no more crying wolf please. It will only make our lives worse trying to fight false accusations like this."

My mouth drops. How can she not believe me! How can no one believe me!

The next 10 years of my life continue like this. Jonah beating me and no one believing me. He's an amity leader, so why believe a kid who "cry's wolf".