Chapter 1: Bad start

I can't fathom how things got here, to this point. I could hear the cries from my mother, sitting next to me from my bed. I could hear the shouts from my father, condemning mother as she pleas for us to leave this house. I could hear the breaking of furniture as mother is pushed by father. And I could hear the chocking, as father squeezes mother's neck so hard she's turning blue.

It's loud, very loud. Louder than any other time mother was abused by father. Because, for the first time, there is no cry after the beating. There is no cry for mercy, and there is no cry for forgiveness. Silence. Silence is all I hear. Excluding the many heavy breaths from father, and the throbbing of my heart, this is the most silent our house has gotten.

I could see father throw mother like garbage, mother doesn't seem to be breathing. Father turns to me, his eyes unfocused. He walks towards me, I could feel his rage. Grabbing the chain around my neck, he yanks me forward. Our faces come too close, close enough to where I can feel his breath on me. He smiles, that same damn smile he uses to assure me everything is ok.

"Now Esther, you know you promised papa you wouldn't try to leave anymore right?"

Father points to mother, his smile quickly distorting into a frown.

"So why did you break your promise?!"

I just sit there, not knowing what to do anymore. My eyes devoid of all emotions and any hope of ever leaving this place. Father seems to take my silence as disrespect as he slams me onto the bed.

"I have one rule, ONE RULE! NEVER, try to leave papa."

Father rubs my hair, he takes a whiff of it and grins.

"Ah, the smell of money~."

That seems to bring me back to my senses. Tears run down my face, father seems to take pleasure in that.

"That's it my boy, keep making me money!"

My tears quickly crystallize into diamonds. Father lets go of my chain and scurries to grabs all the diamonds he can find. To me, he looks like a beast taking pleasure in knowing he doesn't have to do squat to get his pay. I turn to look at mother, who is still laying on the floor. Her skin looks pale, and I can still see the bruise marks on her neck. I stare intently at her chest, hoping to see it move up and down. That wish doesn't come true.

"Oh you poor boy."

I turn to look at father, he looks at me with a sad face.

"You know, this wouldn't have happened if you and that trash didn't try to leave me."

Something inside me snapped, I could feel my emotions closing off. Scratch that, I couldn't feel it. It's as if I've never had emotions in the first place. My only light was now gone. I couldn't accept that, so I didn't. Was that fooling myself? Yes.

The muffled sounds of yelling can be heard outside. Father seems to be jumpy at that. He points to me as he tucks in the diamonds into his pocket.

"Don't make any sound. Got that?"

I nod, he seems to be happy with that response.

"Good, now. Papa won't be long."

Father walks out. I jump off my bed and run to mother. Checking her pulse, no heart beat. She's dead. That realization hits me hard. Falling down on my knees, I clench my palm so hard it bleeds. The sound of soft crying and the falling of diamonds is the only noise that can be heard in my room. I can't fool myself anymore.

My heart pounds, I clutch my chest. It hurts, it hurts so much. I lay down on the floor, still grabbing at my heart. With my eyes wide open, I heave in and out quickly. Sweat pouring from me as I look at mother. Many thoughts race through my mind, but the one I keep coming back to is why. Why did mother die? Why did father kill mother? And why am I here?

Contemplating on these questions, I hear father yell outside. Followed by a dripping sound. I turn to look at the door and see it open, someone is standing there. He's holding a sword, blood drips from the tip. He stares at mother, then at me.

"A Kemonomimi, never thought I'd see one here."

He walks towards me and looks down. I'm still heaving, clutching my chest. He looks at the chain around my neck connected to the bed. He smiles.

"If I sell you, I'll make a fortune."

Taking his sword, he stabs at the chain. Breaking it apart. He picks me up as I growl. I try to bite him, but my heart continues to worsen.

"Since you can't talk, I'd assume you're only 5 years old."

Five years old, not once have I celebrated my birthday. It has always been give father what he wants, help mother run away, there was never time for such trivial matter. Turning towards the door, I see mother one last time. She looks lonely, laying on the floor. Leaving the room, the smell of blood hits me. Glancing at the floor, I see father laying in a pool of blood. The man laughs, I look at him. He smiles.

"I just love my job. Really. Being a hunter is the best, I can get away with anything."

Walking outside the house, I smell smoke. Lingering between opening and closing my eyes, I see my house being engulfed in flames. The man laughs while continuing to walk without looking back. He looks at me and says something but I couldn't hear it. Everything around me becomes dark and silent. I can't remember what happened next.