Her saving Grace

Chapter 1- The Monster Living With Me

was terrified all the time.

I couldn’t go on like this. I was even afraid of my ovn shadow.

I heard a noise downstairs and I knew Allan was h me. He was probably searching the cabinets for his stash of alcohol. He was more violent when he was dr nk.

I heard my stomach grumbled again. I was really angry, but 1 couldn’t go downstairs, because he would see me and find a reason to hit me.

I really don’t know why my mother had married h . What had she seen in him? I don’t know why I ask that question, because I already knew the answer. He as rich and my mother needed the money.

Dad died when I was ten and we started to have oney issues. My mother had to do something in order for us to get by, so a year later she married Allan. She idn’t love Mtn and I knew he didn’t love her either.

Thinking about my mother, I touched the locket t at was around my, neck. My mother had given it to me when I was twelve. That was when she was healthy. T o years later, she became sick with lung cancer. Allan didn’t even care. He didn’t try his best to take care of h r and paylor her medications. She died a year later when I was fifteen.

I opened the locket and looked at the picture insid . It was a photograph of my mother and I. We were both smiling widely at the camera. I was really happy at day. I sighed. I really miss you, Mom. I knew you would never allow this to happen.

I closed the locket and went to lay on my bed. I w s really thankful that tomorrow was the first day of senior year, so I don’t have to be home all the time with him anymore.

I remember clearly the first time he hit me. It was six months after my mom had died. ** Flashback **

my homework and I went dowristairs to make myself a

in the kitchen, Allan, my stepfather, was leaning on the counter, a bottle of whiskey in his right hand. I didn’t say anything because he was like this most days. He didn’t

fridge to retrieve the

him. I waited for him

my room

a next time, I want you to answer me.” He said, stepping closer to me. I scrunched up my nose from

really didn’t hear you.” I said, confused about his behaviour. It happened so fast and took me by surprise, but the next thing I know is

you hear me?!”

really be drunk. I would never thought he would hit me. He had never before. “Yes.” I said

you to go to the store and get me some.” He said, slamming

End Of

since my life was normal. I had thought that he had hit me because he was

have

single thing and then it got worse. He had become a monster. I really

that day was the first, but not the last.

As usual, I put on a lot of foundation and concealer to hide the bruises. I

on the couch, an empty bottle of beer hanging loosely in his hand. He was fast asleep and snoring loudly. I tiptoed through the living room and head to the front door. I was really hungry, but I didn’t want to risk him waking up if I cook breakfast.