Silently Screaming

Chapter 1: Morning Beatings

(A/N: Hi guys. I know I have already started a story, but, this one seemed like a really good idea. Don't worry, I will continue 'Relive to save lives' but I decided to start this one so I didn't get bored with it later. Enjoy reading!)

Annabeth POV

I felt a burning sensation in my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw my dad. He slapped me again and shouted "GET UP!" I quickly sat up on my bed and looked at the time. 6:15. I had 45 minutes until school started. I'm Annabeth Chase. I'm 16 years old and I live with my two stepbrothers, my dad and stepmom. Great life, right? Wrong. Both my dad and stepmom abuse me and treat me like a slave. My brothers are the only nice ones to me. But sometimes if my parents are too drunk, they hit my brothers too. I always try to make sure that they don't hit Bobby and Mathew and only me.

My dad kicked me out of my daydream and I groaned. My dad heard this and looked at me, a smile etching onto his face. "What's that darling? Did you just groan?" He said it like it was a crime. "I'll teach you to make a noise." And with that, he began to kick and punch me. He kicked my stomach, punched my face and kicked my shin. I lay on the floor, not daring to say anything. "MAKE ME BREAKFAST, BRAT." And with that, he left the room, slamming it shut. I crawled to the bathroom and looked in the mirror to see how bad my injuries were. Yikes. Blood was coming out from the side of my mouth and there was a nasty bruise on my cheek. My wrists had some large bruises and my leg was bleeding. I quickly cleaned off the blood and put on some makeup to cover the bruise and my black eye.

I limped downstairs and began to make some eggs for breakfast. I quickly made the twins lunch and began to clean up the house. There were beer bottles everywhere and wrappers littered across the floor. I bent down to pick up a bottle when I felt a sharp pain in my back. I fell on the floor and the glass cut my wrist. Blood started leaking out. I turned around to find Helen standing there, grinning. She had kicked my back with her boot. "Good morning miss Helen." I said. "Breakfast is on the table ma'am."

"I know that dear." She said. "I heard you shouting. What did I say about the shouting? You never learn, do you? You need to be taught a lesson my girl." And with that, my second beating of the day began. And all I had done was announce that breakfast was ready. No one knows about me being abused. No one except me, the twins and my two best friends Bianca and Thalia know. Thalia and Bianca moved away two years ago and I haven't seen them since. I keep in touch with them but they've never come to visit in San Francisco. But by now I was used to it. I mean, it's been going on for six years now, so I must be used to it, right? Wrong again. Helen and my dad, (if you can call him that), always find new ways to torture me. I remember the day it all began like it was yesterday.

Flashback:

I was in the library on my birthday as a treat. I had just turned ten so I was celebrating by myself in secret. I loved the library. It was one of the places I could escape to. My friends had all gone home from the party, and I told my parents I was going out for an hour. I checked the time. Ten minutes until I had to be back home. I quickly checked out the book and started walking. It took 15 minutes to get back home from the library, but I didn't mind. I loved the outdoors. It reminded me of my mom who died three years ago. My dad had finally found a girl he liked. I don't like her too much though. She looks funny. But if dad loves her, then I suppose it's okay. They've been married for two months now and Helen already has kids! Dad and Helen had been dating for a year and then got married. They're my dad's kids though. They're names are Bobby and Mathew and they are so cute! They're like little angels without wings.

I checked the time. Quarter past seven. Oops, I was late. It's only five minutes. I thought to myself. They won't mind. I turned right into the driveway and opened the door to the house with the spare keys. The air smelt of cinnamon. Yum. I hung up my coat and called out to my parents. "I'm home!" I yelled.
"Annabeth Minerva Marie Chase!" Helen yelled. "Where have you been? Your father and I have been worried sick!"
I frowned. I had told them I was going to the library before I left. Maybe they forgot. "I told you I was going to the library for an hour." I said.
"Did you tell ME?" She asked.
"Dad said yes." I argued.
"Don't lie Annabeth!" She screamed. "You didn't ask me or your father so don't lie about it."
"But I'm not lying. Dad must have forgotten to tell you. I said it really loud anyway. You were probably just busy with the twins." I suggested.
"Don't talk back to me!" She shouted.
"If you had just payed more attention to me, you would have known." I argued.