Flerae: A Lie Untold

Chapter 4: Step Dad

- Ocean -

I watch the lake. I freeze when I recognize the shapes of mom and her boy friend. I shake away my fear.

I bolt into my family's cave - that is under one of the rocks the mer cat dragons commonly sit on. 

While in the cave I run unto my room. I cower in the corner, my ears back. 

Mom walks into the room. "I have good news, Ocean!"

I look up at her. "Tell me," I say feeling awkward.

"Carp and I just decided we are to be mates!"

"Good for you," bad for me. I feel a jolt of terror. No, no, no, noooo. Not him, not ever. 

"My beloved Starfish, come, lets spend our time together," Carp appears around the corner. 

"Alright," Mom purrs as she follows him out of the room. 

* * *

Mom peaks into my room. I pretend to be asleep. "Life will be better for you now, I promise," she says sadly.

Those words repeat in my head over and over. Life will be better for me... Life will be better for me... I can't stand it, trying to think it will all be okay, just because Mom says so... Mom ignores me... pretends I don't exist... maybe she loves me, but if so, she doesn't act like it. 

I may not be able to go to school, with my disabilities, but I will find a way to go there, at least so I can have a moment of freedom.

My mother leaves to teach her school class. I wait for a few minutes until I get up and walk slowly outside.

"Where are you going?" I turn around to face my new step dad.

"Uh, hi, Carp."

"You didn't answer my question," he reaches forward to grab my wrist. I try to yank it away. His claws catch ahold of fur hurting me. I yowl. Dad doesn't let go. This is why I hate him. 

The pain only gets worse. I remember a past time with worse pain than this. Sharp nails digging into my flesh, creating a deep gash on my back. Me screaming; my heart pounding. I glance at my scars. They are deep and shiny like how they've always been. 

Dad lets me go. "You my go where ever you originally intended to go, but let me warn you: every time you go somewhere with out my permission I will hurt you."

I run away, away from my troubles, away from him.