Chapter 2

"Hey are you okay?" The mystery guy stared down at me with those piercing green eyes, I looked down shyly and just nodded my head. He put his finger under my chin and again I flinched, slightly less this time. He again noticed, yet he lifted my head to look up at him. I saw him look at my face before he gently brushed my hair behind my ear. I knew I had to be fire truck red at this point.

I quickly step away, send him a small smile and nod before scurrying away to check out. I could feel his stare on my back the entire time. I walked home with a small smile on my face, no one has ever shown me kindness like that before. My smile immediately dropped, that little moment took up more time than I had.

My heart sped up as I neared the house, knowing I would get punished for taking so long. As I walked through the door, bags strung across my arms, I immediately get hit with the stench of alcohol. They were drinking. I hurried and put all of the food away in the kitchen, I was closing the fridge when i got yanked backwards by my hair

*Abuse*

"What the hell took you so long?" He knows I won't talk, he slams my head to the cold wooden floors and for a minute I see stars. Once again he yanks me up, but by the back of my neck. That will leave marks. I feel warm liquid dripping down my head and I know it's blood, see why the hard floors are a good thing now?

"When I tell you to do something I expect it to be done quickly, do I make myself clear?" He screams at me, grabbing the front of my throat and squeezing until I'm sure my eyes will pop out of my head. I try to nod, I'm gasping for air. He drops me to my knees, kicks me in the stomach, and walks away.

*End Abuse*

I stay on the floor for a good five minutes before I can breathe again, I crawl downstairs to my little room and curl up on my bed. My clock reads 6pm. They'll be expecting dinner soon. I go to the bathroom and clean up my head before I go upstairs to prepare them dinner with the things I bought from the store.

I decide on something easy, it's hard to move around right now. Chicken noodle soup. I get set to work when I hear the door slam, I flinch, knowing it's probably Nathan.

"We're having company, clean up and make yourself scarce." I nod my head in response and finish up diner as quickly as possible. I clean up my mess and see beer bottles littered around the living room. As soon as I have the place clean enough I'm heading downstairs when I hear the knock on the door. Neither one of the others get it, so I take a shaky breath. I can't just leave them outside, they're guests. I let my hair fall over my face and open the door, there he stood. The man from the market. Next to him is a slightly shorter man with a kind smile.

"Hello, I'm David and this is my son Cameron, I believe your father invited us for diner?" His smile is so kind I have to wonder, why is a man like this meeting my father? I smile lightly and open the door for him to enter. Cameron hasn't taken his eyes off me. I point to the table, set with diner and plates already and they take their seats. I give them the 'one minute' sign before I run off downstairs. I already know I'll get punished, but I'm glad I didn't let David and Cameron wait outside.

I hear my father greet them in surprise, a slight hint of anger in his voice. He knows I let him in. I decide to get some sleep, the minute I closed my eyes I feel like I opened them right back up. I almost screamed when I saw Cameron right in my face. I press myself further into the mattress, I know a look of fear took over my face. He put his finger to his mouth, shushing me. What the hell?