Chapter One - 'Your Kind'

Ophelia tries to escape her father's prison but comes face to face with a pack of wolves who reveal her the truth about her inner strength and she uses it to fight back against her father.

Before the entire world went to s**t, there used to be peace among us all. Between the mundane and the magic community. Yeah. Witches are real. Apparently, so are vampires, werewolves, faeries... Everything we've learned in fairy tales except... They're not all peaceful and they don't just simply go 'bump in the night'. They've started wars and they've conquered many territories. And those of us who are humans had to bend to their will to give them a place in this world.

I don't blame them...

They've been oppressed for centuries and the worst part about it, is they were exploited by the very government we're supposed to expect to keep us safe. But I guess that the magic community got tired of it and started to build up a rebellion. The war was worse than anyone had expected. And when the supernaturals began to turn on each other, that's when something had to be done... Witches stepped in to help. After all, they're mostly human... Right?

It happened when I was younger. My father's part in the community had always been strong, and even now, when the supernaturals took over the community, he still holds his title in power. How? Well, that's a question I'd like an answer to as well. By the many men we have prancing through our large home and the amount of drugs and weapons that come through our house, I'd say he's some kind of mafia head. Never did I think running this kind of thing out of your own home was smart. But anyone who knows my father knows that he's got an ego larger than life itself and acts as though he's indestructible.

But we're human... Right?

Sometimes, I think he's a bigger monster than the ones that run the streets in town... I'm a prisoner here. Not his daughter. My mother left me when I was six, claiming she would be back to get me. But the abuse my father imposed on her was too much for her to handle. I can't tell if I hate her, or if I find her lucky for getting away.

Don't get me wrong. Up until the day my mother disappeared, my father had treated me like a princess. Spoiled with the finest clothing, newest toys, and anything I wanted. But after? I became someone he hates with a burning passion. Someone he wants to control and beat on, now that my mother is no longer around for him to act against. Some could look at my house and my attire and think I have the perfect life. When we have parties, I'm forced to cover the bruises, put on a smile and act like I love it here. But I hate it. Sometimes, I feel like there's a fire within me, ready to erupt and destroy everything in it's path. But there's nothing I can do... I have bars on my windows, locks on my bedroom door. Guards at every entrance to make it impossible for me to leave. This home is a prison and it's not where I belong.

It's charity night tonight though. Occasionally, my father holds these events to keep a 'noble appearance.' If only they knew who he is behind the mask. I'm not sure what this charity event is for. Something about building a soup kitchen in town? Who knows. All I know is that it's my chance to venture out into the world and get away from this life for just a moment. Surely, with all the people around, the guards would have a hard time keeping track of anyone in the house, right? They're mostly here for muscle right now anyways.

I stayed for a while. Mingled with those who came and put on that smile, raised my glass to the toast my father gave... Some speech about working together rather than dividing. Funny. He's the one promoting the violence in this city behind closed doors. Providing guns to the streets, drugs to the kids on the corner, and God knows what else. After a while, I slipped out the side door and ran around to the window just below my bedroom. I manage to slip a backpack through the bars of the windows full of clothes and some money. This is my chance leave.. But I know he'll find me. He always does.

Being a prison in my own home, there's a lot about society that I didn't really know about. How this city is divided by factions and how the government created several groups to keep both humans and supernaturals in line. There's no computer access and home and the only television we have is in my father's den. On occasion, I'd pick the lock while he isn't home and turn on the TV. God, when he caught me last, I was stuck in my room for days. I'm so out of touch with the outside world, that I have no idea what's really happening out there. Part of me wonders if he does this in a way to protect me.

I finally got to the north side of town. It's close to 8pm and I still have so far to go. My goal is to get as far away from this city as I possibly can before dawn. Part of me tells me I wont make it. But I have to try while he's distracted by his house guests. It's the best shot right now. Stopping by a coffee shop for an espresso shot, energy is going to be something I need if I'm going to get through this night. People are staring though, and the barista looks genuinely disgusted with me. I'm not sure why. Maybe they know of my father and aren't blinded by his hero facade and they're projecting their hatred towards me. I don't care. I'll be away from this place, soon.

Once I paid for my drink I had intended on sitting down for a moment, but someone grabbed my arm. My body jerks, bringing me down from my thoughts. He's a tall man with some fancy suit. Is this one of my father's people?

“What the hell?! Let go of me!” Pulling my arm away, I start heading towards the door before he cuts me off. Looking around, no one is concerned by this. They're all just standing idly by and watching it happen like it's normal. But something tells me this man is no friend of my father's.

“You don't belong here.” He simply states, letting go of my arm. I can feel my jaw tensing up and that fire within my stomach is starting to boil. “And who the hell are you to tell me otherwise?” Shoving him away, I walk out the door. But people on the streets are starting to stare as well. Watching me... He followed me out and I spin around, chucking my drink at him before hauling it down the street. Of course, I don't get far before I'm cut off. Three other men stood in my path and the one from the shop comes up behind me, “That wasn't very nice. I'm trying to be nice, here.”

The grinding of my teeth starts to hurt my jaw. My anger is boiling up to the point where I'm seeing red, “Nice?! You confront me in a coffee shop and begin to insult me. That's not nice. With all-due respect, you don't know me. I'm leaving, so f**k off.” I've never been so vulgar. It's like something within me is snapping and these words are pouring from my mouth. I almost instantly regret it. But he's just standing there, staring at me with a stern look that's not left his features. “With all-due respect... Your father, his men, nor you are welcome in this part of town. Your kind isn't allowed here and it's my job to make that known.” He takes a step forward towards me and gives me an animal-like growl. I froze. His eyes changed with his demeanor. He's not human. Nor are the three behind me. But there's something he said that struck me.. My 'kind'? What does mean by that?

For a moment, I stood silent in front of him. My mind is blank and my heart is pounding. That burning feeling in my stomach isn't going away. Why am I being punished for his faults? “What do you mean, 'my kind'? I'm human. My father is human. What thread could we possibly pose to you and your people?” They're the ones with the magic and super strength, right? He smirks, shaking his head to me. I'm being back up into a wall while his buddies move to the side with their growls. Wolves... He must be the alpha? As my back hits the wall, I jump. His hand came to be placed next to my head while he moves closer to me, “You father isn't human. And neither are you,” He begins, letting his eyes roam over me. My body seems to visibly shake and I look away. I can't tell if I'm scared or angry. “You're insane...” I respond, bringing my hands up to shove him back away from me, but he doesn't budge.

“Push a little harder, princess.” His voice is terrifying. Finally, I face him, “What are you trying to accomplish here? You want me gone? Then move. I'll leave.” I never thought I'd wish for my father's men to come here and find me, but here I am.. Hoping someone will help me. Am I prisoner out in the real world, too? He pushes off the wall and backs away, throwing his hands into his pockets while staring at me. I finally have a chance to get away from them, but there's a part of me that desperately wants to turn back and ask him what he means by me not being human. Does he know something I don't? I've never known otherwise... Looking back for a second, they're already gone. But little do I know they're still watching me.

I get to the bus station and buy my ticket. The next ticket out of town. Somewhere along the line of waiting, I must have fallen asleep. I only wake up when I feel a slap on my shoulder �" a firm grip that I knew all too well. Jumping up, my eyes stared up at the man I despise most. My father. That look of blood lust on his face and the disappointment I only ever see in his eyes anymore. I'm nothing but property to him. A puppy who gets loose that he has to beat into submission. My heart sinks into my stomach. Looking over at the clock is an even bigger mistake. Ten minutes.. And I would have been gone. Gone from this place that hates me. Gone from my father's abuse. But he's here... Ten minutes before my chariot to safety comes. S**t...

The car ride home is excruciating. The driver's constantly looking back at me while my father avoids looking at me at all. I'm sure the driver can see the look of desperation on my face. The look that's pleading for help. I'm bracing myself for the lash-out when we get home.

Walking through the front door, I start to look around for those who might still be here. But all of the guests are gone and my father's men clear out, leaving just the two of us to stand in the foyer of the large mansion I'm supposed to see as home. “You're an embarrassment to this family, Ophelia.” Of course, the firs thing he says to me is punch to my fragile ego.

“Family? What family? As far as I'm concerned this family died when you push mom to leave!” The words just seem to pour out and again, I instantly feel regret for what I've said. Except this time, I'm not talking to a patient stranger. I'm talking to my father. A heavy-hitter. The monster of my life. His hand raises and I can feel my body tensing. The sharp pain as it came crashing into my face caused me to scream. He grabs a fist-full of my hair and begins to pull me up the three flights of stairs to my room. Despite my kicking and screaming, pleading for him to stop, he doesn't. Not until he reached the door way and yanked me up by my hair and physically threw me to the ground.

My heart sinks every time he hits me. I miss the man I knew before he became obsessive. I miss the man I used to call my father before my world came crashing down when I was six years old... He came closer to me, pulling me up by my neck and pushing me into the wall while his grip restricted my air. And then those words came flooding back from when I talked to the stranger in town...

'Push harder, princess.' 'You're not human.' 'Your kind isn't welcome.'

I scream, pushing my hands against his chest and it's like all of my anger came out with it. My father flies across room until he hit the wall opposite of me. Clearly, we both have a look of shock on our faces. Looking at my hands, I'm wondering if the wolf was right. Maybe I'm not human.

Author's Note

!!TRIGGER WARNING!! This book contains potential triggers in relation to abuse and contains vulgar language. Please read with care.

Reviews

[Dee Cole]

Incredibly well done, I'm definitely in awe of your ability to make me hate a character instantly, keep up the writing, and I'll definitely keep up my reading. Definitely adding it to my library!

[Lea Sheryn]

Very well written. I have enjoyed reading this chapter of your story and am looking forward to continuing it.