As the sun slowly peeked out from under the night sky, Flora knew she didnt have mich time left. She looked at the clock, 6:00am, she had to get up now, no matter how tired she felt.

Gently, Flora slowly got out of bed, she didnt want to disturb her sister who laid beside her, but she knew that the chances of her not waking up were little.

“Flora?” Dahlia called out.

“Wh…where are you going?” Her voice was worried, as if scared something bad had happened, cause something bad always did.

“Just going to shower” she did her best to reassure her and slowly Dahlia’s face eased.

As Flora turned to go to the bathroom, she felt a sharp pin in her lower stomach and stumbled back, clutching the side of her dresser to stay upright

“Flora!” Dahlia yelled as she ran to her.

“Are you ok?” She asked as she looked at her worryingly. She looked down only to see that her sister was bleeding.

“Flora….im so sorry, this is all my fault…i should have stayed put…i should have…im sorry” Dahlia said as she cried and shook with sadness.

Flora’s heart ached, she never blamed her sister and she would never blame her.

“Hey…look at me” She took Dahlias face in her hands forcing her to look at her

“Its not your fault, it was never and will never be your fault, you hear me?” She said as softly and firmly as she could manage.

Dahlia nodded and wiped her tear as she knew they would only upset her sister more.

“Good, now go and sleep some more, ill wake you when im done”

“Flora…”Dahlia called out as Floras hand reached the bathroom door

“Yes”

“Did we….did we do something wrong”

Silence enveloped the room as the weight of the question hung in the air.

How many times had she asked that question herself, how many times had she wanted to ask and failed to, how many times had she given up on the possibility of ever getting an answer.

“I wish….i wish i knew” she said her voice barely audible but loud in the thick silence.

Flora walked into the bathroom and locked it.

It was a new day but oh how it felt like every other day, dreadful and with enough blood to make a vampires mouth water.

It hurt….

It hurt a lot more than id like to admit

But i had to endure it, no matter what.

As the cool water ran on my bare skin, i had to force myself to remain quite. The water hit the cuts on my body, forcing me to feel the pain and every ounce of violence unleashed on my body.

The water had turned red and slightly clearer than i entered, i knew i didnt have much time left, so this would have to do.

As i left the shower, i caught a glimpse of my reflection in ny bathroom mirror and i had to force myself not to sob at the sight.

The only parts of my body that weren’t scarred were my face, hands and feets, the rest were a different story.

Wounds and scars clearly visible on me, some old, some new, some…very new. It was a sight that would make anyone want to vomit and i hated it.

I hated my body.

I hated how it looked.

Scarred and mutilated.

I hated how it made me feel.

I hated it all, but i had to endure at least for her.

Dahlia, my sister deserve everything good in life and id make sure id give it to her, no matter how hard it might be.

Desmond Arthor was a man who’s name held more fame and power when mentioned than most men combined.

A business tycoon and a multimillionaire, an even rumored billionaire, he was the man every man wanted to be and since the death of his wife, the man every woman wanted to marry.

But little did they know how that wish was more of a curse should it be graanted.

This great man was actually a demon in disguise.

Why? Because the “death” of his wife wasnt an accident as the media knew it as, no, she was killed, by him.

Hit her, abused her, forced her into submission and sent her death threats when she tried to leave with her kids.

The only reason she stayed was because of them, but in the end she didn’t survive.

That woman was my mother and right now, the man sitting in front of me, was none other than my father, Desmond Arthor.

—————————

I hated mornings.

Most people werent morning people but the reason i hated mornings had nothing to do with the waking up early.

It was why i woke up early.

Every morning i woke up with a new bruise or cut.

A reminder of the way things had gone.

The way my life had changed.

Every morning, i wanted to end it all.

But every morning, i held myself back.

I had to be strong.

But not for myself, but for her.

My mom.

She had died to protect me and my sisters.

Dying….just didnt feel right knowing how much she sacrificed for me.

So i pushed on….or at least forced myself to.

There were days were it felt difficult.

Days like today.

All i had to though was to look at Dahlia and id feel a bit lighter.

I would endure it all for her.

—————————

Today was a Monday, meaning another day of school.

Most people didnt like school.

I didn’t either, too many eyes and too many stares, too many whispers and talks that i just didnt need.

But i didnt hate it though.

To me, school was my hiding place, my little fortess that i could use to hide from the devil, no matter how short the time was.

As i looked at the mirror, i made sure nothing was obvious.

I wore a black turtle neck long sleeve top and loose jeans. I paired them with sneakers and kept my hair in a low ponytail

This was my signature look.

Clothes that could cover me.

Hide me.

Protect me.

As little as they could.

I wanted to hide.

I wanted to disappear.

I wanted to be alone….or at least that how i should have felt.

I didnt have any friends, i never tried.

The abuse started shortly after my mom died, and not a day had gone by did her stop.

Once it got bad to the point id thought id die.

I wanted it.

I welcomed it.

But atlas, the devil himself didnt grant me death.

No, my father took me to a private hospital, and once I recovered the beatings continued.

This was my life.

And i hated it.