Under the Mask

F*ck Feelings

She was a tenth grader taking AP classes.

The brunette was looking for a hole punch for her English portfolio. It was a giant end of the year project and she had to get a good grade to keep up appearances that nothing was wrong at home.

She had become an expert at hiding bruises and casts. When they were recognized she just laughed it off and told people she was just clumsy. The young girl didn't know if people actually believed her. If they didn't no one said anything. The small girl often wonders if anything would have changed if someone did speak up.

She did her best to hide everything for her mother. Her mom begged continuously not to do anything. Promising over and over that she would stop him.

It had been 8 years of this promise and keeping up appearances.

What was one or two more years?

The was no hole punch to be found so she made her way to the office. There was a moment's hesitation. Her dad forbade her to enter his office for any reason.

She never really knew why and didn't really care in this moment. She needed an A to get out of this living hell.

The brunette pushes the door open slowly convincing herself it was safe. Her dad wouldn't be home for another hour.

The office was a small room with a few file cabinets filled with music, shelves with CDs and records, miscellaneous instruments and a desk.

A quick search later. No luck.

The small girl turns to leave only to be met by her glowering father, causing her to stumble back a few steps.

"I was just looking for a three-hole punch. I promise. I will leave right now." She stammers eyes glued to the floor, hands ringing together.

A strong hand catches her by the throat and lifts her off the ground.

Words garbled helplessly in her throat and her emeralds eyes bulge from the lack of oxygen.

"How hard is it to stay out of my office you retarded girl?" The blonde snarls his hazel eyes glassed over with rage.

His large hand tightens around her throat once more before she was discarded to the ground gasping for breath.

Her father slams the door right on her foot causing a loud pop followed by a sickening crunch.

She withdrawals her foot with a yelp before he can do it again.

The muscular man stares down at his nose before pushing up his glasses and closing the door behind him, "Pathetic."

She crawls toward the door and hosts herself up onto her sound side.

Curiosity drives her as she peaks through the keyhole and observed her father bending down to remove one of the baseboards.

His large body blocks her vision.

At the time she assumed it was an alcohol stash.

*Lillian POV*

My eyes snap open and my body jolts causing me to start hyperventilating.

"Hey. Hey. Shhhhhh." A large arm wraps around my waist and a hand cards through my hair, "I am right here. You are safe with me."

I grasp muscular forearm and lean into the firm torso beside me grounding myself, "Thank you Ace."

"My pleasure." He hums tucking my hair back into place. "What were you dreaming about? You passed out pretty hard. I was expecting you to start drooling on my shoulder."