Her saving Grace

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 Allan was h me. He was probably searching the cabinets 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 year later she married Allan. 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 years later, she became sick with lung cancer.

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

year later 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 to lay 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. ** Flashback **

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

As soon as I stepped in the kitchen, Allan, 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.

“Kayla,” I heard Allan 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

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, slamming the

empty bottle on the counter.

** End Of Flashback **

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

the last time.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

He continued to hit me for every single thing and then it got worse. He had become 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 the last. 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.

“Kayla!” 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 exclaimed, sque zing me tight.

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

believe summer’s over.” She s id.

“Yeah, me too.” I sighed. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“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.