1 The ill-fated pass

Warning; This chapter contains violence and strong language that may be upsetting to some viewers. Viewer discretion advised.

I looked up emotionless towards my father as he slapped me repeatedly. My younger sister, what was her name again? She was holding onto my father's shirt, tugging on it, and crying for him to stop. My mother took her place in the hall. I could feel her eyes staring at me as they watered up in terror, terrorized from her husband beating on her only son. "You worthless trash, I can't bear to stare at you any longer." He punches me to the ground as I lifted my hand to my mouth slowly. I smiled as my vision goes in and out then blurry as tears form into my eyes.

"That damn bastard made me bleed. Again...." I mumble in Japanese "What?" My mother's husband shouts as I turn my head and stare him up in his face as I lay there. "I said, How can I go out with all these bruises, I do have a job to take care of your daughter and wife. Remember? Guess I'll have to make an excuse. " He starts shouting at me, racial insults and other nonsense about my biological father as I fade away into my thoughts.

My mother's husband is my stepfather of 3 years. Mom got the bright idea to divorce my father out of nowhere to marry this abuser. Was it for the money? The sex? Why did she have to marry a douche. "Hey! Listen to me when I'm speaking!" He finally kicked me and pointed as I tried giving him my attention while holding myself up. "You will never be anything! You fucking hear me! You worthless piece of shit. Your mother should've left you with your loser of a father. Get your shit and get the fuck outta here!" With that, he walked out the door as my mother rushed in with my little sister tugging on her. She tries to help me up but I pushed her away. "Big brother? Wh..why does he keep hurting Jojo?! Why are you frozen up!" I smile the best I could and pat her head as she yelled at our mother. "I'm okay, see. You just go back to bed with mommy while I get ready for work."

"Jonás... You can't go, your hurt..." I ignored my mother as I walked my little sister to her bedroom. "Jojo! Do we have to leave now?! He'll hurt you again! I can't stand here and see that anymore." My sister sniffles as I grabbed her face causing her to look up at me. "I have a plan, for the both of us. Okay? Just you and me."

"What about Mom, she is helpless but she can't live without you....."

-

I jumped up as I look around my bedroom. I haven't dreamt about that little girl in a long time after she disappeared. Should think of something else productive. I looked up at the time as my eyes widened. I jumped out of my bed so fast causing me to trip as I rushed to my bedroom door. "I'm going to be late, Arienne going to be disappointed! Our date is soon. Though she is working on our date, I'm disappointed in her.

I hope in the shower, dressed in my best shirt and jeans, grabbed my bag that had my notebook and other important things then my jacket. Before leaving, I went towards my parent's door. "Hey! I'm going out." I banged again. "Mom," It was complete silence. I frown and kicked the door and slammed my hands on the door. "Answer me! Enough with the silent treatment! Your daughter- your daughter-in-law would hate if you do this!" I bit my lip and shake my head.

That's when the door opens. My mother, a short woman, with green eyes, long black hair, and pale skin walks out of the room. Her bandages unravel to where I can see the bruises that she made. "D..daughter? Where is she? I miss her... Us being a happy family. After I-" I covered her mouth before shaking my head. "May I remind you, I have a date and I must not miss it. Now, how about you clean yourself up. I'll bring a doggy bag up. Hm?"

I move back as my mother smiles and tilts her head. "Don't be out too late, you know how I get if you disappear for too long." My mother stares to play with her fingers before messing with her hair. She twitches before entering her room. I shrugged before heading for the door and placing my shoes on. That's when I hear some glass crashing from in my mother's room then her screaming.

I leave the apartment quickly. "I should really get soundproof walls for her room, it's not helping if I only have it in my room. " I mumble to myself in a casual tone.

Arienne, my neighbor. The door is literally across from my own apartment. I followed her around since I saw her. Since we have a lot in common, for example, family issues, being an outcast, blah blah blah. I really fell in love because she is so kind and ready to save these tainted adults when she could. She usually works part-time at a restaurant.

I'm happy at how independent she is. I sat inside at the best view where I could see her post. She was the waiter today, passing people their food.