Chapter 1


    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 An was h me. He was probably searching the cabs 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 yearter she married An. 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 yearster, she became sick with lung cancer.


    An didn’t even care. He didn’t try his best to take care of h r and paylor her medications. She died a


    yearter 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 toy 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. ** shback **


    I had just finished my homework and I went dowristairs to make myself a sandwich.


    As soon as I stepped in the kitchen, An, 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 even talk


    to me anymore.


    I went over to the fridge to retrieve the cheese, tomato and mayonnaise.


    “Ka,” I heard An called. I closed the fridge and turned around to face him. I waited for him to


    speak. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?” He asked.


    “No. I was in my room doing homework.” I replied.


    “When I call you a next time, I want you to answer me.” He said, stepping closer to me. I scrunched up


    my nose from the stench of alcohol on his breath.


    “Okay, but I 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 that I was folding my cheek. He had hit me and it hurt like


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    hell.


    “Do you hear me?!” He roared.


    I looked at him in surprise. Man, he must really be drunk. I would never thought he would hit me. He


    had never before. “Yes.” I said quietly.


    “Good. Now, I’m out of whiskey. I want you to go to the store and get me some.” He said, mming the


    empty bottle on the counter.


    ** End Of shback **


    It had been two years since that happened. Two years since my life hasn’t been the same. Two years


    since my life was normal. I had thought that he had hit me because he was drunk and that it would be


    thest time.


    I couldn’t have been more wrong.


    He continued to hit me for every single thing and then it got worse. He had be a monster. I really


    can’t take it anymore. I can’t wait until I’m eighteen so I can get the hell out of here.


    He hitting me that day was the first, but not thest. It was just the beginning.


    I got up early the following morning and quickly got ready for school. As usual, I put on a lot of


    foundation and concealer to hide the bruises. I took up my bag and the house key and went


    downstairs.


    My stepfather was sprawled out 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. I opened the door quickly and


    ran down the porch steps and began my journey to school.


    The Monster Living With Me


    Since I got ready early, I reached school with a lot iof time to spare. I walked passed the parking lot


    where a lot of students were gathered and went into the school building. I then head down the hall to


    my locker.


    “Ka!” I heard my name being screamed. I knew exactly who it was immediately. I turned around with


    a wide grin on my face.


    “Jazzy!” I greeted one of my best friends; Jasmine homas. She finally reached me and flung her arrtis


    around me.


    “Girl, I missed you so much!” She eximed, sque zing me tight.


    “I missed you too.” I replied, then pulled away. “H w was Thand?” I asked. “It was great. I can’t


    believe summer’s over.” She s id.


    “Yeah, me too.” I sighed.


    “Hey, have you seen Kevin or Lucas yet?” She aske


    “No,” I replied. Kevin Harris and Lucas Martin we my other best friends. It has always been the four of


    us since middle school.


    “Hey, hey, hey. Look who’s here.” I heard a familia voice behind me. Jasmine and I turned around to


    see Kevin strutting towards us.


    “Speak of the devil and he appears.” Jasmine tease , grinning widely.