"What the....ahhhhh!" Madonna, my step mum screamed at the sight of dad in the pool of his blood.
She just walked in.
"What...how ....." She stuttered as she sight the knife on my hand.
She looked at me with wide eyes.
I shake my head slightly.
She let out a breath.
My heart beat has never been so loud
"What have you done?!" She yelled.
"I..I....didn't...it wasn't me"
"Liar!" Mark snapped.
Tears rolled out my eyes.
"Oh God! Vince!" Madonna screamed as she walked towards dad.
She kneel towards him, trying to touch him.
My heart clenched severely as I stare at my poor dad.
Lifeless in the pool of his blood.
"You little bitch!" I heard Marco yell. Next I felt an aggressive grab on my hair.
"Ah!"
The knife fell off my hand.
"You fucking bitch! You killed our father!" He yelled at me as he tightened his grip on my hair.
"No please...I wasn't me. It was Ma...."
"Shut the fuck up!" He snapped.
I closed my eyes.
His grip on my hair is very painful.
I cried silently.
"We should kill her for this shit she just did!" Leo said as he held his crying mum.
"Let's do it right away!" Mark said.
I shake my head. "No please...I didn't kill him. He is my father too. I loved him"
Leo scoffed.
"I knew you are a fucking bitch the first day dad brought you into our home" he said. "Dad was very foolish. I did tell him but he wouldn't listen. Now look how he ended up. Because you little snake!"
Tears rolled out my eyes the more.
"You killed my husband! Bitch!" Madonna yelled.
I cried out. "I didn't kill him. It was Mark who did it"
"Shut the fuck up!" Mark yelled.
Madonna walked towards me and I got a stinging slap from her.
"Ah!" I whimpered.
Everything went blur. My cheek was on fire.
I tasted blood.
"How dare you accuse my son?!"
Tears rolled out the more.
I look at her.
"You will pay for this. Call the cops Leo " she said.
My heart sunk.
"No mum. I suggest we deal with her ourselves " Marco said gripping my hair the more.
A whimper left my mouth.
"That's a good idea. Getting her locked up will be going easy on her. She deserves to suffer severely for this" Mark said.
"That's a good idea" Leo said.
I feel cold shivers all over my body.
My heart sunk deeper.
"Okay then. Take her to the basement" Madonna said.
Marco dragged me out.
"No please don't do this. I didn't kill him. Please!"
"Shut up!" Marco snapped as he head towards the basement.
My legs are weak and my hands are shaking. His grip on my hair is giving me a headache.
I feel so scared.
We got to a door, he opened it and pushed me inside.
"Ah!"
I meet the floor.
I felt an ache on my ribs.
He closed the door.
Tears rushed out of my eyes.
I bring my knees to my chest and hug it.
My heart broke into pieces as images of my lifeless dad filled my head.
Why did Mark kill him?
What did dad do to him?
Did they have a misunderstanding or something?
Dad was sick. He could hardly speak. Why did Mark kill him?
He killed dad and lied that I did it.
They all believed him.
God what are they planning to do to me?
I didn't kill my dad.
I didn't....
Tears rushed out the more.
I thought about not seeing my dad ever again.
It hurts so deep
I shouldn't have left him.
He promised he will be okay once I wake up.
He promised.
But he is dead.
My dad is dead.
I have no one. No one in this world.
It hurts so bad.
I sobbed silently.
I look around me. It is indeed a basement.
It so scary in here.
Oh God please save me.
I sense something run pass with speed, making me flinch.
I shudder to the thought of rats. I don't like rats.
I rest my head on my knees, sobbing.
I can't believe my dad is gone.
Gone forever.
*************
A large quantity of cold water, splashed on me, making me gasp loudly.
"How dare you sleep after what you did?" I heard Madonna's voice.
The water is very cold. Like it was gotten out of the refrigerator.
My whole body stiffened.
Wiping my face, someone grabbed me by my hair.
"Get up!" Marco's voice.
A whimper left my lips as he lead me out of the basement.
It was nightfall already.
We got to the living room, I see Leo and Mark standing there, holding whips.
My heart dropped.
"Pathetic bitch" Mark said.
"Murderer" Leo spat.
"Lash her whole body" Madonna ordered.
"No..." A stinging lash hit my back. "Ah!"
Leo smirked.
My whole body took the pain.
It was agonzing.
I got another lash from Mark.
"Ahhh!!! Please....!!"
"Another!" Madonna yelled.
Leo lashed me again.
I turn to run out but Marco pushed me back.
Leo lashed me again.
"Stop please!"
Mark hit me again.
"Ahhhhh!"
"Ma'am Madonna!" I heard Max's voice.
"Max" I cried.
They all look at him.
He is looking at me with wide eyes.
I was a crying mess. I held the part of my body they lashed the whip with my hand.
The pain is unbearable.
"Ma'am..."
"Get back to your post. This is none of your concern" Madonna said to Max.
"But..."
"Are you deaf?!" Marco snapped.
Max stare at me.
I pleaded with him with my tears filled eyes to save.
But he walked away.
My heart clenched.
"No Max don't leave me...." I make steps to follow him but Madonna grabbed me.
She back handed my cheek.
I whimpered.
I tasted blood like before.
Next she tore my clothes and pushed me back aggressively.
I fell on the cold floor.
"Ah!"
"Whip her!"
"No please!" I begged
Leo and Mark lashed me at the same time.
"Stop! Please!"
"Harder!" Madonna yelled.
"AHH stop! Please I beg you?"
They continued.
"Harder damn it!"
They obeyed.
They were relentless.
I screamed my lungs out.
I twirled on the floor as they whipped me heartlessly.
My whole body was on fire.
Dad please......save me.
Please....
I can't take.....I can't take it anymore.
Darkness took me.
********
I open my eyes slowly. The ray of the sun is hitting my face.
Sitting up, I winced to the pain coming from my entire body.
I saw marks all over my naked body as I cover myself with my hands.
I recalled what happened last night.
Tears rolled out of my eyes.
I could help but sob bitterly.
Looking around, I recognized where I was instantly.
The basement.
I must have passed out.
The way they were lashing me without mercy makes me feel so terrible.
How could they be so heartless?
Mark was the one who killed dad not me.
Still he joined in whipping me.
He is so heartless.
They are all heartless.
They hate me so much.
Now they have found the opportunity to do terrible things to me.
God please help me.
Please...
The door flew open.
I flinched.
Marco came into view.
My heart sunk.
"Bring her" he said.
Mark and Leo rushed towards me.
"No no please..." I move back towards the wall but they grabbed me and head out.
My heart pounded to the thought of what they are about to do to me.
My body can't take anymore lashes.
Getting to the living room, they threw me on the floor.
I cover my naked body with my hands. My head is down but I can sense the four of them complete in the living room.
My head remained down. I don't want to see their faces.
They are all heartless people.
I heard a sound of a whip.
I flinched, shuddering.
"Lash her" I heard Madonna say.
I move backwards but Leo grabbed me by my leg.
He took hold of my both legs.
My whole body stiffened.
"Hmm. Mark take her both hands"
"No please. Don't do this to me! I didn't kill my dad!"
"Hold her!"
Mark took my both hands. They both turn me around.
My whole world crumbled at that moment.
I sense foot steps towards me.
It was Marco.
Next my body took in a lash on my bare back.
I got a very agonizing pain.
Another lash.
My head spinned.
He hit me again.
I begged to die instead.
I got another.
And another.
I screamed all through till darkness took me.
*********
"Valeria"
I arched my brow.
"Valeria"
It sounded like my dad's voice.
Could it be that I was having a nightmare all these while?
Is dad still alive?
"Valeria wake up." The voice came again.
But different this time.
No that's not my dad.
I open my eyes, I see Max.
"Max" I barely whispered.
"Valeria"
I couldn't help but sob.
"Shhhh you will wake them up" he whispered as he cover me up with a blanket.
"With the cook's help, i managed to give them sedatives. So they are all asleep"
"Max they....they having been using whips on me" I cried.
"Shh I know kiddo and I am so sorry about that" he said, caressing my hair.
"They said I killed dad but.... that's not true....it was Mark who did it"
"Mark?"
I nod. "yes. I met him with dad and he was holding a knife filled with dad's blood"
"Fucking bastard"
"Max you have to help me .... don't let them hit me again please...." I begged holding his hand as tears rolled out of my eyes.
"Shh I am not going to let them hit you again."
I believe him.
I feel so relieved hearing him say that.
"But you will have to help me to help you"
I arch my brows. "How ..?"
"You are going to escape "
"Escape?"
"Yes. You have to escape "
I nod. "will you come with me?"
"No kiddo. If I do, they will suspect and come after us. But if you go alone, I will be able to hold them down from going after you" he said
"But...wh...where will I go?"
"Take this" he placed something that looks like a train ticket on my hand.
"You know the train station at Niccan street?"
I nod slightly.
"Go there and board a train heading down south"
I open my mouth to speak...
"This money will be enough " he placed some dollars on my hand.
"But...I can't...."
"I know you can't do this on your own but you have to kiddo" he cuts in.
I sniffle.
He is right. I have to.
I don't want my stepmother and brothers to hit me again.
I can't take the pain anymore.
"Thank you so much Max"
"You don't have much time. Here are some clothes." He hands me an oversized T shirt and a short.
He turn around and I quickly put it on.
The t-shirt is very oversized and the short is not short at all. It stopped at my knee.
With his help, I sneaked out of the house.
Getting out of the gate, I run as fast as I could.
No doubt my whole body is aching but i ran regardless.
I didn't stop till I got to the train station.
I thought I won't be able to locate it but i actually did.
I guess when it comes to life, your legs can take you anywhere.
I got into the train. It delayed for almost an hour.
My heart pounded at every minute.
I would look out the train to see if my stepmother or brothers came after me.
But I don't see any sign of them.
Max said he will hold them down. I trust he will.
Not long, the train began moving.
The train is a bit scanty but few people are in it.
I think the hour is the reason why people are not much.
It is late.
I can't tell what time it is. I don't have a watch niether am I with my phone.
The train is moving faster as I want it to.
I feel my nerves relaxing.
I thought about my dad.
Tears rolled out my eyes.
The way he was laying lifeless with blood all over his body.
God it is so terrible.
My body ache so bad. I don't even want to think about the marks.
I wipe my tears as I relax my head on the window.
The ride took what felt like hours before it got to final destination.
I don't think they will be able to find me here.
I think I am quite far away.
Max said it's the South.
It sounds far away.
Thank you so much Max. Thanks for saving me.
All I have to do is to be brave.
I have not been in this situation before. I feel scared but I have to be strong.
Dad will want me to be strong.
Taking in and out a deep breath, I head out of the train.
The south is very busy.
People are moving to and fro. No one cares about anyone.
I sight a huge clock on the streets, it is pasted 1pm in the afternoon.
I walked for almost an hour.
I checked some places to ask for help but they were so rude.
Some yelled at me irritatedly.
Must be because of the clothes I am wearing.
It is really oversized.
Sighing, I kept walking. It will soon be nightfall and I don't have any place to sleep.
I kept walking and walking, getting lost in my thoughts till I got lost somewhere in the woods.
Oh no.
How did I get here?
I look back, and I don't recognise where I am.
The day is getting dark.
I am so scared.
I kept walking till I was tired.
I feel so hungry.
I haven't eaten anything since all these started.
I decide to rest on a rock I found.
The rock seem comfortable as I lay on it.
Not long sleep took me.
***********
"You killed dad"
"Yes I did" Mark said.
"Why did you accuse me?!"
He scoffed. "Well you are the perfect person to pin it on"
My heart ached.
"He deserved what came to him. He has made my mother suffer ever since. He cheated on her with your slut mother and brought you to our fucking house! You deserve this! You deserve everything!"
"Lash her!"
"No!"
*************
I open my eyes immediately.
"No!"
The bright day hit my eyes, calming my nerves.
It was just a dream.
Sighing, I wipe my face.
I look around me.
I am in the woods.
I remember getting lost in the woods.
The trees are so high. I can't see any fruit on them. The sound of a stream hit my ear. I sight it, not far from me.
With excitement, I quickly rush towards it.
My throat is so dry.
I kneel beside the steam and bring up some water with my hand to my mouth. I drink it all up.
I bring up another and drank again.
I repeated till I was satisfied.
I bring some water again and wipe my face.
I wipe my face again.
Bringing my hand down, I am stunned by what I saw in front of me and on the opposite side of the stream.
A white dog looking animal.
Oh God. It's a.... it's a wolf.
"Ah!" I let out a scream, falling on my butt.
It stared at me.
My heart pounded.
God a wild animal.
It is going to kill me.
Or....eat me.
Terror washed me.
Oh God.
The next time that happened claimed my consciousness.
The animal transformed into a human being.
A tall good looking guy without shirt but had trousers on.
Oh my God.
Darkness took me.