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My eyes slowly open to the dark ceiling and dark room. I slowly sat up and ran my hand through my orange hair. I look around and see that I was on the floor, about two meters away from my bed. I slowly stand up, letting out a yawn.
Suddenly I hear loud thumping sounds headed towards my door. My breath stops for a moment as the door bursts open.
The man, tall and broad. Pale, short orange hair, eyes with bags resting under them, small hairs on his chin and under. "There you are~" He says in a slurred tone, "been lookin' all over for you~"
He hiccups and stumbles towards me. I flinch at his touch, he reeked of alcohol, as per usual. I freeze at the sight of the nearly empty bottle in his other hand. My breathing quickened and I gulped.
"What? Not even a hello to your dear old man?" He asks in an offended tone.
"I-I'm s-sorry... father..." I stutter as my body quivered. He steps back and I see the frustrated expression plastered on his face.
"Didn't I teach you better, you little brat!?" He growls and smacks me hard on the face making me fall to the ground. I look up at him, tears blurring my vision and my hand resting on my cheek.
"You must really love to feel pain you worthless piece of shit!" He yells as he undoes his belt that was wrapped around his waist. The belt hangs down, just gazing the ground.
It slowly went up as my father wrapped it around his hand a few times. I screw my eyes shut, waiting for the pain to come.
Why? Why is it like this? I wish... I wish everything went back to how it once was. When mother was alive when we were all happy. A true, happy family.
The belt slaps my leg hard, leaving a bright mark on it. The wound immediately begins to bleed, and I let out a cry. It hurts. It hurts so much. Even if I've been through this so many times... it still... hurts...
The pain continues, it seemed like it would never stop.
More and more wounds appeared on my legs and back, even my arms. Some began to bleed, and others were merely a mark. A mark that reminded me of what will happen, for maybe the rest of my life...
After what seemed like forever, he stops his movements and drops the belt. He clasps his hands over his mouth. I look at him in concern and confusion and before I knew it, he ran out of my room and towards the nearest bathroom.
I hear gagging sounds which make me sick to my stomach.
Everything soon quietens.
I slowly make my way to the bathroom and there I find him, unconscious. I have a sigh of relief and trudge to my room, limping on my right leg that contained the most wounds.
As I walk, I pass Natsu's room. The door was open, only by a little though. My breath stops and I burst into the room. "Natsu!?" I exclaim, scared.
Please tell me he didn't...
"Natsu?! Natsu!! Where are you??" I yell. "This isn't funny!!"
I look around the dark empty room and see the window open, the curtains flying as the wind blows through it. I run up to the window and see a wooden lander placed against it.
"Natsu?" I call again.
I climb down the ladder and look around the area. It was surrounded by trees, an old red fence blocking the trees, a small pathway leading to the backyard. I wander to the back.
The backyard was covered in grass that already reached my waist. Old toys and an old tree house remained, a mere reminder of the past. I walk near the old tree house and manoeuvre under the little space between the floor of the tree house and the tree.
There I see a rusty, iron double door. The old, rusty chain was undone. I slowly open the double doors, as it let out a squeak, I peer in immediately seeing a small light. "Natsu?" I ask again.
I climb down the small wooden stairs and venture inside, closing the doors behind me.
My mind settles and so does my breath. There upon the little table that had a picture of our mother, with a candle on each side was Natsu. She was curled up in a ball, an old blanket wrapped around her and an old stuffed toy in her grasp.
She's safe... I'm so glad.
"Hello mother," I greet bowing to the picture of a chestnut-haired woman, beautiful chocolate brown eyes and a simple dress that still made her look stunning.
It had been the only picture of our mother that had survived. When she died our father burned all the family photos and items that belonged her. He made it clear that he didn't want anything to do with her.
He didn't want to remember her, no, he wanted to forget everything about her. Blaming me for the everything. I frown, maybe it is my fault? What am I thinking? It is my fault...
It will always be my fault. To make up for my mistakes, I'll do whatever I can to protect her. As long as Natsu survives, I'll be fine.
It's not worthwhile going to school today. These injuries will do me no good if I show up to school looking like some sort of punching bag. I don't need to worry anyone, and I don't need anyone in my life.
They'll only judge me and leave me... like always.
I walk up towards Natsu and pick her up as gently as possible, trying not wake her. I place her on my lap and hum a little song, a lullaby our mother once sang to me and her. As I hum, I remember the laughter and squeals filled with joy and happiness that once filled the merry house.
"You're safe and sound, Natsu." I say closing my eyes as I lean against the wall, resting with my little sister.
