Innocence – Scarred for life

Chapter 1

"Why do I blame myself for everything that happened to me? Why did my protector become my perpetrator? Is this really my fault?" My eyes welled up with tears as unsolicited thoughts surrounded me.

It was my 13th birthday and my entire family was down in the hall enjoying my birthday party while I was alone in my room, suffering with endless pain. I kept on thinking how I was trapped in the hands of a hideous monster with no way out. Suddenly, my eyes struck on the pointed knife which was kept on the nightstand. I took it and held it to my wrist as I walked down my agonizing memory lane.

"Meredith, you are a brave girl." My father, Mr. Jacob Gibson praised me as the six-year-old me stood up bravely after falling from my bike.

My mother, Mrs. Marlene Gibson cheered as I got onto my bike and rode off.

I was riding past my eldest brother, Timothy Gibson's café'. Suddenly my eyes caught on the biggest ice-cream truck which was parked right in front of the caf����'. I immediately grabbed a note from my pocket and rode towards the truck.

"Meredith!" Timothy called out.

I looked back and saw my brother Tom Gibson standing right next to my eldest brother. He was holding my favorite chocolate ice cream. I rushed towards them with excitement, unaware of the sorrowful events which were about to ruin my entire childhood.

Soon my parents also arrived at the café'. We intended to have a happy family moment.

"Timothy! We are proud of you. You managed to build up your own business at the age of twenty-one. That's a big accomplishment." My father praised him.

"Tom! Why don't you work with your brother and learn from him?" My mother requested.

Tom wasn't into business. He always dreamt of being an actor.

"I'm just nineteen and too young to start a business. I want to become an actor first so that I can start my own production company" Tom began to explain.

He also imitated some famous Hollywood heroes to prove that he was a good actor. We laughed so hard. He also bragged about winning third place in the acting contest that he participated at his college. He was obsessed with his movie fantasy.

I was having a great time with my family when one of my family friend, Mr. Alex spotted me. He came to our table and sat beside me. He was a nice and a kind man. I remember him from my 5th birthday party which was held at aunt Lauren's lodge. He gave me the best gift which was a mini pink iPad.

"Do you want an ice cream scoop?" He asked me with a huge smile.

I nodded and yelled delightfully, "Chocolate ice cream scoop! My favorite!"

We ordered a chocolate ice cream scoop with extra chocolate chips. As we were waiting for my favorite dessert, he began to compliment on my clothes and my appearance. I was wearing a rosy pink and glittery sleeveless top with a dark red skirt.

"Meredith, do you know that you are the most beautiful little girl in your family? Jacob, you are so lucky to have her." Mr. Alex continued complementing me.

I was overwhelmed with joy as I was labelled as the most beautiful girl and on top of that, I was about to have my favorite dessert.

All of a sudden he touched my thigh from under the table and told me how pretty I was. He held my hand and made me sit on his laps. I smiled at him, unaware of his true intentions. My father immediately got up from his chair and held me in his arms.

"Let's go home and have your brother deliver the scoop for you." My father tried to convince me.

"Please daddy! I want to stay with uncle Alex. Can I please?" I begged.

However, my father ignored my request and started walking towards the door, still holding me in his arms as if he knew that I was being targeted by uncle Alex. My mother followed him without any questions.

I had no idea that the small cheerful moment at the café' was about to turn my life upside down and make it a living hell.

"Timothy, send Meredith's ice cream scoop when Tom comes back home." My father commanded with frustration.

My brothers stared at each other looking tensed. I was confused and wondered why I had to go home. I kept looking at uncle Alex because I wanted him to convince my father to stay longer.

"Goodbye Meredith" Uncle Alex murmured in a shaky voice.

He kept his head down and walked out of the door. My parents kept staring at him furiously. I wanted uncle Alex to come home with me, but I kept silent as we never had the courage to talk back to our father due to his strict parenting tactics. Despite of his strict nature, he was a loving and a devoted father. He bought us everything we needed. Especially for me, because I'm his one and only girl. Sometimes my brothers used to envy me cause my father favored me.

My mother was completely the opposite. She relied on a permissive parenting style. We never hesitated to pour our hearts out to her. It was her daily routine to hear us complain and to tolerate our frustrations.

On the way home, we kept mum about what happened at the café'. My parents didn't say a single word. I kept staring at the sky and the huge trees. The leaves rustled with the cold evening breeze. Birds were twittering from the treetops. Just before we reached home, it started drizzling. My parents started walking at a quick pace to reach home. Luckily we were able to reach home before the heavy rain. In no time, my brothers also came home with my chocolate ice cream scoop.

"Hey princess!" I heard My grandfather Michael Gibson.

I went and hugged him tightly. I began talking to him about uncle Alex and how nice he was. I also told him how much I loved Uncle Alex. My parents and my brothers were listening to every single word I said. Soon my brother Timothy gave me the ice cream scoop. I hugged him and continued my conversation with grandpa.

"Let's call uncle Alex and invite him for dinner." My grandpa said.

I nodded merrily. Soon, my mother asked me to go to my room as they wanted to have a grownup conversation.

"Bye bye grandpa!" I muttered softly and ran to my room with my favorite ice cream.

I heard my parents talking from the living room while I was enjoying my scoop. I wasn't sure what they were talking about as their conversations weren't clear. Besides, I wasn't even a bit concerned about what happened at the café' as my innocent and childish mind was unable to think outside the box. I trusted and adored each and every person in my life. I had no idea that a hideous monster was hiding among my beloved people. I was just 6 years old when a two- faced monster ruined my entire childhood and took away my innocence.

After sometime, my parents came into my room. They giggled when they saw me all covered in chocolate ice-cream. My father gave me a hug and my mother kissed me on my cheeks. Timothy and Tom were standing near the door laughing at me. I frowned at them because they were picking on me but they wouldn't stop laughing.

"Stop laughing!" I screamed at them with frustration.

My mother held my arms and walked towards the bathroom. My father glowered at my brothers and they quickly left. I heaved a sigh of relief.

My mother forced me to take a shower despite of the cold weather. I came out of my bathroom wearing my bathrobe, shivering with cold. By then grandpa was already in the room with my father.

"Gr-and pa Wh-en is Un-cle Alex Co-ming?" I stammered as I was shivering.

"Sorry princess, uncle Alex would not be able to come, but we have a better surprise for you at dinner." Grandpa explained.

I felt bad that uncle Alex was unable to come. On the other hand, I was eagerly waiting till dinner time to see my special surprise. I spent the whole evening imagining about my gift.

"What would it be? Is it the princess doll house which I always wanted or my favorite meal, pasta with white sauce?" What if I get a new bicycle? I'll definitely show it to aunt Lauren." My innocent mind came up with a bunch of possible surprises.

I never thought that the surprise I was waiting for, would turn out to be the beginning of my sorrowful and agonizing childhood. I was just an innocent 6-year-old who had lots of dreams and hopes. I was full of love and happiness until everything was snatched away from me.

Later at night, I rushed downstairs to have dinner with my family. I sat on my pink chair next to my brother Tom. I was so impatient awaiting for my surprise.

"Grandpa! Where is my gift?" I yelled as I couldn't hold it any longer.

"Meredith my princess! Your surprise is on its way. Till then, let's start dinner honey!" My grandpa said.

My mother poured orange juice into my glass. She also served me rice and vegetables. My face turned blue as soon as I saw brussels sprouts on my dinner plate. I hated it because it tasted bitter. However, I decided not to react on it, fear of losing my surprise. As I began to eat, everyone chuckled. They knew why I was eating dinner without any complains.

My brother Timothy teased me, "Do you want more brussels sprouts?"

I stared at him angrily but he kept on teasing me anyway.

Soon Tom joined him, "Mom! Bring her more sprouts."

I didn't say a word as I was so much focused on my surprise. Luckily, my father and grandpa stopped my brothers from picking on me. I kept staring at the door impatiently, while I was having dinner. Suddenly I heard the doorbell ring, my heart skipped a beat. I stood up from the chair involuntarily.

"I think it's the surprise that you have been waiting for." Timothy said.

My father walked towards the door. I was holding my breath and it felt like he was taking forever to reach the door. Being unaware that it was going to be the last night of my happy childhood, I ran towards the door as my father opened it.

END OF CHAPTER 1