Aome

Prologue

Prologue...

“Shh, don’t worry baby it’ll all be right” Mama said, over and over again like a echo through my head. My eyes were wet with tears that threatened to spill, I hugged my knees closer to my chest thinking about my mama’s words not daring to make a sound while locked in a tight ball, positioned at the back of my closet.

I could hear the pounding of the steps of my father as he searched the house, yelling my name. I buried my face in the small teddy in my hands clutching it in a death like grip, I had to keep quiet, that’s what my mama always told me. I could almost feel his caresses across my skin his hard hands against my throat, a desperate whimper tears from my throat and the footsteps stopped.

“No, not again, please” I whisper the only sound in this dark closet, that and the sound of my ragged breathing. The footsteps start again this time headed towards me, my heart thumps hard in my chest, I can feel my hands shaking. The darkness seems to be taunting me surrounding me, laughing at my fear. By now I can hear the breathing of my father as he comes closer to the closet. I beg to anybody out there to let me escape, pleading with everything I have. I hear the faint voice of my mama whispering that it’ll be okay, my only comfort.

The door roughly jiggles against the lock, and for a moment there’s silence and I think he left me.

“Open the door Sweetheart” he says, malice laced with every word he utters.

My lips form the word no, but nothing comes out. I grab hold of my ears and try to keep the noises of the world away from me, it was just too much, I wanted my mama back, I wanted her to hold me and tell me that it’ll all be alright, "just one more night" her voice soothes me. Where was she? why won’t she help? now that I’m so alone.

“go away” I think,

“You know what will happen if you don't ” his words come out slurred annoyed, and this time and I could picture the bottle in his hand the cruel grin and sparkle in his eyes as he watches my screams, my pleads. My hands press harder against my ears, Stop I scold myself don't think about it..

The door’s makes their final shake and swing open as if giving in, the bright light from the hallway burns my eyes and illuminates my hiding space, but I’m still able to see the tall silhouette of my father stand over me. His hair is a mess and his clothes are torn and dirty, a bottle of whisky is being held in his right hand and he smiles that cruel smile of his that sends shivers down my spine. The one that I’ve gotten to well to know. He only says two words.

“Found you” and the bottle comes down.