Chapter 1

A light knock vibrated on the decorated door of Kailyn’s room, but she didn’t move to open it. “Kailyn, do you wanna go outside?” Katelyn asked pushing the door open to see her older sister sitting on her bed facing the wall. “Are you okay?” she asked walking closer. “Go away!” Kailyn yelled causing the younger to flinch. “But, I want to play. I want you to play with me.” Katie said with a small smile inching closer to the bed. “Play by yourself. I’m very busy…” Kai said sighing deeply. A frown painted itself on the younger’s face and she spun around to leave. “I’ll be in my room, if you change your mind.” She said walking to the door, slowly. “Kai, why’d daddy—” Before she could finish her question a pillow smacked her to the ground. Kailyn looked out the door to see her mother standing there.

        She grabbed the crying girl from the ground. “Shh, Katie, let’s go play outside…” she said carrying the sad girl down the hall. Just like that night. Kailyn’s heart began to beat faster and her vision began to blur with tears, as she replayed that night in her head. She shut her eyes allowing the tears to flow down her cheeks. She touched her foot to the floor and pushed off the bed. It was almost breakfast time and she knew her dad would flip out if she was late. She fixed her shirt and ran down the hallway. “Good morning, Kailyn.” A lady said as the girl rushed down the hall. “Hi, Sam~” Kai said pulling her sleeves down a little more. She decided to cut through the living room. “Kailyn, are you skipping out on family time?”

        Kailyn froze in her tracks. Her palms started to sweat and she turned towards the voice. Her dad smiled down her. “No, sir. I was on my way right now, actually.” She said lowering her head to avoid eye contact. He nodded and walked over to the young girl. She looked at him questioning him in her thoughts. He didn’t say a word, but simply waited beside her. “A-are we going to-together?” He nodded and she turned to walk. Following behind her as she hurried to meet the rest of the family. When they reached the dining area the table was set and the food was all laid out. Kai sat in her favorite seat and looked at her mother. “Good morning, Kailyn.” Her mother said with a warm smile that made her sick. “Good morning.” She said softly looking over to Katheryn, who smiled at her.

        They ate while discussing the plans for the day. “Kailyn and I are going to get her ears pierced for her birthday, tomorrow.” Her mother said. “Amanda, I already told you that I don’t want her to pierce her ears.” Her dad said through gritted teeth. Kailyn rolled her eyes and finished her sausages. A heavy, yet soft object hit her in her forehead. She looked across the table at her father. “Why did you hit me?” She questioned her voice shaking slightly. “Don’t roll your eyes at me and don’t you question my intent!” he yelled throwing another strange object, this time hitting her in the nose. Her head dangled and little drips of blood fell on her blue jeans along with tears. “Kailyn.” He called his voice soft. Katelyn’s eyes widened in horror.

        “Charles!” her mother yelled getting up from her chair. He put up a hand and she sat back down. He focused on the bleeding girl. “Kailyn” he repeated. The girl sat with her head hanging low allowing the blood to run and drip with the tears of humiliation. “Kailyn Seimera Bibbs!” He yelled. Amanda gasped and looked between the two. “Don’t call me that!” Kailyn yelled getting up and running out of the dining area. “Kailyn!” Amanda cried out as the girl made her escape. Kailyn ran through the hallway, wiping the tears from her eyes with one and the blood from her nose with the other. She ran until she was stopped in her tracks by Sam. “Oh, Kai, what happened?” Sam asked leading the girl to the bathroom.

Kailyn didn’t say a word, but Sam knew instantly what happened. “He’s hitting on you again?” she asked turning the water on so that it was cool. Kailyn leaned over the sink as Sam washed the blood off of her face and from her nose. “It’s your 17th birthday tomorrow and you’re not happy?” Sam asked putting a towel to Kai’s nose. She nodded and held the cloth in place and walked out of the bathroom. Outside the door stood her mother with a fresh pair of pants and a new shirt. Kailyn grabbed the clothes and made her way, slowly, to her room. Sam thanked Amanda and followed behind Kai. Once in the room, Sam began to treat Kai’s nose again, but it didn’t bleed anymore. “It hurts a bit.” Kailyn said softly while Sam wiped the dried blood away.

“I see, there’s a bruise.” Sam said to the saddened girl. She nodded and sighed. “Arms up.” Sam demanded. Kailyn moved away and looked at Sam with a horrified face. “I can get dressed on my own. You may leave.” Sam questioned her in her head whilst walking to the door. Once at the door the shadow of the girl changing caught her attention. She turned and looked to see scars and cuts running down her side. Sam gasped and hurried out of the room and dashed off to find Amanda. Kailyn dressed herself in the black and white striped shirt and blue jeans her mother gave her. Once finished she left the room and headed towards Katie’s room to get her. Katie followed her sister to the car where they waited for their mother to come out of the house.