'This was never what I wanted, I never dreamt of a life like this suffering, pain, agony why me? is this really what life has for me? I keep asking myself this same questions over and over again, why me? Why can't I be like others why the suffering? Why the hatred? I never get an answer to any of my questions Instead it keeps causing me pain as the day goes by.'
Athena kept on thinking, she got frustrated and threw the cup she was holding out of anger and depression, she immediately flinched out of her thought when she saw her aunt shrilling in pain, that was when she realized she was doomed the cup she threw had bashed her aunt's head.
"Ahhhhhh my head I will kill u today ahhhh"
"I'm sor.. sorry please aunt Zara I didn't mean to it was a mistake I...I...uhm"
"Shut it just shut it you pig, how dare you huh? You intentionally threw that cup at me and here you are spitting trash from your mouth... I will make sure I teach you a lesson today but before that go and rewash those clothes again sweep the house and mop it all over again am I clear?"
"But I...I swept the house and I mopped it clean and also with the clothes I did all what you asked me to do so I..."
Before Athena could say anything else she felt a hot slap on her face she immediately lost her balance and fell on the floor as tears flodded her eyes.
"Wait there I'm coming for you" zara said and hurriedly went out of the room.
Athena knew something was going to happen immediately her aunt made that statement, she wanted to run out of the room but it was already too late, getting to the door she felt a hot liquid on her body, she shouted and fell on the floor crying in pain her whole body was burning.
"Ahhhh ple... ple...Please it's hot water what did I do to deserve this what? Ahhhhhh"
"Shut it shut up I don't want to hear anything from you not even a word"
Zara immediately used her hand to close Athena's mouth to subside the loud noise she was making when she noticed the neighbors might soon get alerted and come to her aid again.
"You witch you will keep suffering like this till the day your heart stops beating; you and your family think you have money right? hahahahhah now they're gone I'm so happy the wealth is now mine and I will squander it the way I like... and you won't even have a little taste of that wealth again hahaha I'm Soo happpy."
Zara left the room afted her mischievous laughter and hurtful words, leaving Athena alone flodded in her own tears and thoughts. Her whole body felt numbed her skin had started to peel off due to how hot the water was. She thought about her parents and the tragic death they all passed through before finally leaving the her alone in the wicked world. Her aunt had claimed the wealth leaving her with nothing. Lacking proper medications she just decided to pour a little cold water to subside the pain for the mean time.
The next morning Athena woke up as early as she could even though she was tired and exhausted, she has no choice the pain she had endured the previous day was enough, she wasn't ready for another psychological trauma. she gently pulled herself out of the bed revealing parts of the thighs she looked down and saw her body had peeled exposing a fresh injury, a drop of tears fell through her eyes but she quickly wiped it off. She knew honey could solve the problem but she dare not enter her aunt's room neither can she ask for it so she just left her room to begin her chores for the day.
"Good morning aunt"
Zara pretended not to hear what Athena said and continued watching her favourite show. Athena was about to leave when Zara saw her swollen hand and how her skin had started to peel off, she knew it was the outcome of her wicked deed. Instead of her to show some humanly sympathy a devilish smile crept through her lips like someone that just had a mischievous plan.
"Mummy I'm hungry"
Zara's little girl Esperanza cried out
"What do you want darling? Tell me Athena would make it for you"
"I want a hot coffee" Esperanza said in a sexy tone just the way her mother always tells her to behave. Her mum had always told her that Athena was a witch and that she burnt her whole family because she was scolded for keeping bad company so she doesn't deserve any sympathy. Esperanza was just ten years old she didn't have a father; she was a mistake her mother Zara was a whore and is still one; but Zara never told her daughter the truth Instead she kept filling her daughter's head with lies, deceit and sinful words.She told Esperanza her father was involved in an accident nine years ago, and due to how fatal the accident was he lost a lot of blood and didn't make it. she was gradually luring her daughter to adapt her dirty way of life and to talk sexily to boys when she is approached. Zara's full of pride even though she doesn't have anything. Everyone knows money's her weakness, she's despised by everyone along with her daughter who's much more worse and rude than her mother. People aren't ignorant of the suffering Athena's passing through since she lost her parent and her only sister Eliora. Zara lives in a big compound with up to ten people all living together in the same compound, each room facing each other. Many people wandered what she was doing with all the money she was extorting from rich men after selling her body.
"Athena Athena Athena" Zara yelled Athena's name like someone who's high on drugs Athena came running from outside she couldn't walk well because of her injury it was as if she had been affected internally but she dare not complain.
"Ma ma ma I'm here sorry I was..."
"Sorry for your damm self don't let me call you more than three times again in this house I've been telling you this"
"Sorry ma I was..."
"Shut up I'm not done talking; and keep your apology to yourself I don't need it, you stink just like your mother... now go make some coffee for my dear Esperanza."
"Okay ma"
"witch wait,"
Esperanza called out Athena wasn't surprise because that's what Esperanza always calls her
"Least I forget make the coffee hot I need something hot do u hear me?"
Athena nooded and left, the word Zara said to her (you stink just like your mother) kept creeping through her mind over and over again her eyes was flooded with tears making her sight blury she quickly wiped her tears and proceeded to make Esperanza's coffee before she gets smashed.
Athena brought the coffee and gave it to Esperanza, she rolled her eyes before collecting the coffee, taking a sip she looked at Athena with a disgusted face and immediately spitted the coffee out messing everywhere that Athena had cleaned.
"What is this huh? Do u want to poison me? why is this coffee tasting salty answer me now"
Esperanza screamed out alerting her mom who was dressing, her mom quickly ran out with a towel tied around her chest.
"What is it dear!!!? Why are you shouting? Are you okay? Did this witch hurt you? Come on talk to me dear.
"Mother the coffee she made for me is tasting salty she wants to poison me ahhhh"
Athena was boiling with anger, it was infuriating to watch a little girl lie at her, she knew nothing was wrong with the coffee Esperanza just wanted to make a fool out of her and create a scene.
"You witch you wanna poison my angel huh?
Athena didn't say anything instead she just kept staring at the stained rug awaiting any punishment that would be given to her.
"As you can see I'm in a hurry to go out but before then you're gonna suffer greatly you have three options. First you start dancing till I get back from where I'm going and Esperanza would keep a watch over you till I get back. Secondly my dear Esperanza is gonna cane you for thirty minutes. Thirdly you're gonna cut off your precious hair. So you have sixty seconds to decide make it snappy."
Athena wasn't surprise by the options she was given she was expecting it; but even at that she was pained because she's been punished for nothing.Tears immediately flodded her hazel eyes.
'ohhh heavens come to my rescue I'm in a state of dilemma... which one do I choose? I can't start dancing till she comes back this little girl is gonna frustrate me and only heaven knows when this wicked soul is gonna get back... I also can't allow that tiny demon flog me never she's just soo heartless...ahhhh never will I cut my precious hair. God help me I need an idea can I trick them? but how uhhmm yes I have an idea I'll just dance after fifteen minutes I'll pretend to faint that would scare this heartless rat I pray this goes well my burns still hurt'.
Athena was drifted out of her thoughts when she felt a hard slap on her back.
"What are you thinking about fool? Plotting another way to hurt my little girl huh? So what option do choose?
"Uhm... I'll da...dan...dance till you get back"
Athena said finding it difficult to stop stammering.
"Good so start Esperanza dear keep an eye on her I'll leave in the next five minutes."
Zara said and went into her room, Esperanza immediately gave Athena an eye signal without saying anything Athena already knew what Esperanza was trying to say so she started dancing. Exactly five minutes later Zara came out dressed in a gown high above her knee that exposed her fair and straight legs everything she was putting on was blue, it made her beauty exposed. Her shoe, bag, dress and jewelry were all blue same with her sparkling eyes she glanced at Athena who was dancing and smirked.
"Mum you're beautiful...wow I'm so proud to have you as my mum safe journey mum"
"Thank you darling I'm blushing"
They both gave each other a brief smile and Zara left.
"Jump... jump... jump I said jump shake your buttock shake it, shake your breast is that how to shake ur buttock? jump and twerk make it fluffy like a bread whoa."
Esperanza kept directing Athena on how well she should move her body, she played a very loud music disturbing everyone In the environment, Athena had no choice than to keep on dancing. Ten minutes later, she was already exhausted and weak it was as if the plan she conceived in her heart was what was really happening. Her eyes were blury and she was slowly loosing her balance
"Continue dancing you pig... dance."
'Boom'
A loud noise was heard which left Esperanza's mouth wide open she was as stiff as a statue.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh she's dead mummy somebody help come and take this witch out of here!!!"