Chapter 1

I

"There's nothing I can do! Quit looking at me like I can stop them! Maybe you should try standing up for us for once!" Sara shouted, then stormed off. I stared at her retreating back, and fought the urge to start crying as I slowly walked to homeroom. I knew, however, that I wouldn't last long when I sat down and felt the first tear slip. There's no reason to be ashamed, Elizabeth. Soon enough, you'll be gone and won't be a bother to anyone anymore, the demon inside whispered to me. I wiped my eyes with my jacket sleeve as I tried to ignore the voice. I knew that what it was talking about was not something I wanted. I heard my name from close by, and I knew that it was time. I picked my bag up and headed for the door, listening to the laughter that echoed around the room and trying to ignore it.

My entire body was shaking by the time I got to the office, where my father stood waiting for me. I could barely look at him as we made our way out to his car. He looked over at me but said nothing, oblivious to the fact that this was my parents we were burying today. He didn't know the whole story the way that I did. He never would, either. That was the only bad thing about him: He didn't care. However, I closed my eyes as the car started and remembered.

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"Shut up, will you! You don't know anything about us! You walked out three years ago, and never looked back! I had to find a new husband to help me take care of our daughter because you walked out on us and left us with nothing!" My mother shouted, loud enough to be heard three floors up. I hid under all my blankets in an attempt to block it out, but sat crying as every hateful thing they said hit my heart harder than they thought it could. No matter how my day would have been going, it was always ruined when my father would walk in and try making up with my mother.

The day finally came where he stopped coming over. I was so happy that I could come home and go to bed without hearing screaming matches.

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My father tapped my shoulder and I shook my head to clear it before getting out out of the car. I just wanted to get this done and go home. I was 18 as of two weeks ago, but spent my birthday in a hospital as the life left my mother and stepfather.