Chapter 2: Already accept my fate

Mia tightened her grip on the paper bag holding the banana milk and bread as she trudged toward her house. The streetlights flickered, casting shadows that danced around her. Her footsteps echoed faintly in the stillness of the night. She felt a pang of unease, her instincts screaming at her to turn back, but she pushed forward. She had nowhere else to go.

The house came into view, the dark silhouette of the run down building looming over her. The porch light was off, and the curtains were drawn, as always. Mia paused at the gate, her stomach knotting with dread.

'Maybe he really is asleep,' she whispered to herself, trying to muster up her courage. The small comfort of her small meal gave her just enough strength to push the creaky gate open and step inside.

The living room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the stench of stale beer and cigarette smoke. Empty bottles scattered across the floor. She held her breath as she tiptoed inside, careful not to make a sound. Her eyes darted to the sofa, where her father usually passed out after drinking, but it was empty.

Her heart pounded. 'Where is he?' she thought, panic setting in.

Suddenly, a low, raspy voice cut through the silence. "You think you can sneak in here like a little thief, huh?"

Mia froze, the bag slipping from her hands and hitting the floor with a soft thud. She turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting the menacing figure of her father standing in the doorway to the kitchen. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot, and a half-empty bottle dangled from his hand.

"Dad, I—" she began, but he silenced her with a glare.

"Don't call me dad," he growled, taking a step toward her. "Where have you been? Who were you with?"

"I-I was just with Katie," Mia lied hesitantly as she backed away. "We were studying, that's all."

"Studying?" he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think I'm stupid? You think I don't know what you've been up to?"

Before she could respond, he lunged at her, grabbing her arm with a bruising grip. She winced but didn't cry out. She had learned long ago that showing weakness only made things worse.

"You think you can just come and go as you please?" he spat, shaking her. "You're nothing without me, you hear me? Nothing!"

Mia clenched her jaw, tears stinging her eyes as she tried to pull away. "Please, Dad, I just—"

His slap came fast and hard, sending her sprawling to the floor. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she struggled to sit up, her vision swimming.

Mia pressed her trembling hands against the cold floor, forcing herself upright despite the dizziness. Her father towered over her, his shadow engulfing her like a dark storm cloud.

"You're pathetic," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "Just like your mother. Always weak. Always running away from responsibility."

The next thing I could hear was dad taking off his belt ready to hit me, while I was thrown on the ground ready to accept on what was gonna happen.

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