The streets were alive with the hum of desperation, but tonight, they seemed to whisper secrets to the shadows. Abigail's feet pounded the pavements, her breath rugged as she fled from the only life she'd ever known. The fight with Olivia still lingered in her mind, her mother's words cutting deeper than any physical blow. She didn't know where she was going, just that she had to get away. As she turned a corner, the cities neon's light blurred together, casting a colourful glow on the wet pavement.
Abigail sprinted down the alley, her breath coming in ragged steps. She had to get away. Behind her, she heard the pounding footsteps of her pursuer. She darted between trash cans, her eyes scanning for a place to hide. Spotting a narrow gap between two dumpsters, she dove into the shadows, holding her breath. The footsteps grew louder and then paused.
"Where'd she go?" the pursuer muttered. Abigail's heart pounded in her chest. She spotted a rusty metal pipe lying nearby and gripped it tightly. The footsteps approached, and she swang the pipe with all her might, connecting with a loud thud to her pursuer.
He crumpled to the ground groaning. Abigail stood over him, panting, feeling a surge of triumph. She'd outsmarted her pursuer. But as she turned to leave, a hand clamped over her mouth and nose.
"Mmph! mmph!" she tried to scream, but her voice was muffled. A low menacing voice whispered in her ear, "Shh, calm down. You are not going anywhere."
Abigail kicked and bucked, but her attacker held her firm. She felt the cloth pressing harder against her face, and her vision began to blur. As she lost consciousness, she vaguely heard the voice say, "Got her. Let's get out of here before anyone sees us."
When she came to, she was in a dimly lit room, her head throbbing with pain. A figure stood over her, shrouded in shadows. "Welcome to your new life,"the figure sneered. "You're going to be with us for a while."
Abigail's eyes adjusted to the dim lights, and she's saw the outline of a room with no windows. Panic set in as she realized she was completely at their mercy. "Wh-what do you want from me?" she stammered, trying to keep her voice study. The figure chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "You'll find out soon enough."
Abigail's eyes weld up with tears as she thought about her situation. "Not again," she whispered, her voice cracking with despair. She felt like she'd been given a glimpse of freedom, only to have it snatched away.
As she looked at the dimly lit room, she couldn't help but think about her past. Her childhood had been a never-ending cycle of oppression, her parents and sister controlling every aspect of her life. They'd belittled her, made her feel worthless, and treated her like a servant. She'd finally mustered the courage to escape, to break free from the shackles that had bound her for so long. And for a brief moment, she'd felt alive, felt free. But now she was trapped again, her freedom taken away from her.
Abigail's thoughts poured out in an anguished whisper, "Why does this keep happening to me? Why can't I just be free?" She felt a wave of helplessness wash over her, and her body slumped in defeat. The figure standing over her seemed to loom larger, its presence a constant reminder of her captivity.
Abigail's mind replayed the memories of her past, the pain, and the suffering. She thought her about the brief moment of happiness she'd experienced before being caught again. Tears streamed down her face as she realized she'd never truly been free.
Abigail's mind wandered back to the argument with her sister, Olivia. She remembers the hurtful words, the pain, and the anger.
As I stood before Olivia, I could feel the tension between us. Her eyes blazed with anger, and her voice was low and menacing.
"You're destined to be alone, so stop dreaming. The only thing you can dream about is my wedding with Jake, " she spat, her words cutting deeper into my heart.
I felt a surge of pain and frustration as I realised she was talking about Jake, the heir to the influential Reed Corporation, who had once seemed like the epitome of success and stability.
The memories of our relationship still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal.
But now, the memories felt hollow, replaced by a sense of relief. She was grateful to have dodged a potential disaster, realizing that Jake's charm had masked a toxic reality. The weight of what could have been lifted, Abigail felt a strange sense of liberation wash over her. Her anger simmered, but Olivia continued.
Her face turned red with rage, and she screamed, "What did you just say?" Her
perfectly manicured nails dug deep into my skin, and I winced in pain. But I refused to back down, meeting her gaze with a steady look.
"I said a bitch and a dog makes a perfect pair", Abigail repeated, her voice steady.
I could see she was fuming in anger at my response, but I had had enough of her ridicules. "I'm going to make you regret that," she said, her voice low and menacing. As she raised her hand, I felt a surge of fear mixed with a spark of anger. For the first time, I found the strength to resist my arm instinctively rising to block the slap. Olivia's eyes widened in surprise, her grip on my other hand tightening as if she couldn't believe I'd dare to defy her.
I usually tolerated her abuse to avoid a bigger issue.
"What do you think you are doing?" Mom's voice rose sharply as Olivia tumbled to the ground with a suddeness that made my heart skip a beat. "Mom, it hurts so much... please help me,"she whimpered, her voice trembling. She took a few unsteady steps before collapsing into my arms.
"What did you do to her?"
Mom's voice demanded, her tone firm and accusatory.
Growing up, I was always the responsible one. My sister Olivia would often get into trouble, and I would be blamed for not taking care of her. I remember times when she would lose her toys, and I would have to use my saved-up money to replace them. If she was late for school, I would have to walk to school for a whole month.
I literally did everything for her. I gave her anything she wanted until she asked... no. She took the one thing I held dear to my heart.
She took my first love, now my ex-boyfriend Jake.
I had confided in her about my feelings for him, and she had promised to keep it a secret. But she went behind my back and started dating him anyway. I felt betrayed and heartbroken.
Looking back, I realize that I need to set boundaries and prioritize my own needs. I deserve to be happy and fulfilled, and I won't let anyone take that away from me.
As I stood in the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal wash over me. My sister had taken my first love, Jake, and now he was my ex-boyfriend. The memory of their relationship still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of hurt.
Mom's responding slap echoed throughout the hall, leaving a stinging sensation on my cheek as I was brought back to reality.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I whispered, "Mom. " But she was unforgiving, her words cutting deep into my heart. "Don't you dare call me that. You're a constant thorn in our side, always looking for ways to harm your sister."she said, her voice trembling with anger.
I tried to defend myself, but she wouldn't let me. "I didn't-." I started to say, but she interrupted me.
"Don't even try to deny it, Abigail," she said, her voice firm but laced with sadness. "I know you've never liked your sister. You are always trying to harm her. I wish your father could just send you on the streets for you to die out there. "
I felt a surge of anger and hurt at her words. "MOM!!" I exclaimed, my voice shaking with emotion. "I said don't call me that, I am not your mother," she responded, her words cutting deep into my heart.I felt a lump form in my throat as I whispered "I'm sorry." I looked at my dad's face, but he just stood there quietly watching, as he always did.
"I'm sorry,"I said again as I ran out of the house, not knowing where I was going or what I was doing. All I could ask myself was whether this was really what my home feels like?