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Seventy-one: She's dead
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A Thousand Lies Seventy-two: I'm happy to be here
I stand completely still, my hands behind my back as my posture tightens."Is this fun for you?" My father asks me, shoving his pointer finger at me. My head gets knocked back and my body follows before catching myself with a stumble."I-is what fun?" The corners of my lips threaten to turn downwards."Watching me take care of you while you stay completely selfish. Do you not understand that I'm suffering because of you?" He squats down, bringing his hands to his face.Tears fall down his cheeks and onto the floor. Light sobs fill the room and I can't help but copy his crying.My hands come up to my face to wipe my tears away.I don't know why I'm crying because of him. Maybe it's this love I still have for him that makes me upset when he cries."I-I'm sorry." I hiccup, watching him lift his head. He crawls towards me, bringing himself upwards and wrapping his arms around me.He places his chin on my shoulders and softly cries.Maybe this is a turning point? Maybe he will finally real
A Thousand Lies Seventy-three: the lies
Alec"You think this isn't hard for me?" Chris runs his fingers through his hair."I didn't say that." I grit my teeth, my ears ring with annoyance.I slam my hands on the table, snapping everyone's attention back to me. "Even if she's happier gone, did you guys forget that she was almost taken a few weeks ago?"I can almost see her small body fighting off her attempted kidnapper. If he would've overtaken her I swear I would've shot him right then and there."So you think she's in danger?" Chris grits his teeth."I'm saying I don't know what kind of trouble she's in!" I want to yell at everyone, telling them to search until the bottoms of their feet are rubbing off."I have something you need to see!" Bee and Rea bust through the door. I watch as Rea slightly glances at Connor before pushing her long hair out of her face.I stand to my feet, glancing at everyone at the table before leaving with the two girls. My heart races in my chest as we enter the security room."So... you're not
A Thousand Lies One: Welcome to my life
Temperance My eyes flutter open. The cold, hard surface against my back reminds me that I am still in the living room. My head buzzes from nausea rising in my throat. I shakily stand, every nerve failing my efforts. I feel pain all over. My body wobbles on the spot, almost collapsing. The stinging sensation in my chest increases with every breath I take. Perhaps my stomach suffered another internal bleeding. Memories from last night fill my mind as I shrink in my position, feeling the shivers upon my barely covered body. Every slap, punch, and kick crashes back engulfing me in sorrow. Is it worth having his daughter raped? All for the drugs that didn’t do him any good? Everything hurts so bad that I have to limp to my room. Jolts of numbing pain hit my lower stomach with each step I take. I bite my lip, forcing the flashbacks of that unknown man's brutal force to disappear. I'm not okay at all. My emotions have become stagnant. The battle I fight has blurred. Whil
A Thousand Lies Two: Cigarette burns
Temperance I used to think I would be okay if I acted like everything was okay. But the truth is, it didn't work. I tried it for seven years. Since I was barely ten. It was a few months after my mother's death. I am always blamed for her death as I was in the car with her. I tiptoe to my house. My shoes skim the sidewalk. I don't want to see what's going on in my own house. Even though I've always known what's going on in there.I stand in front of the small house. My house. Our family had a large house. One that may belong to a Millionaire. We were millionaires. I frown. That ended long ago. Everything was perfect until my mother's death. I got a few thousand. Unfortunately, I can't access it till I turn eighteen, which shouldn't be long as I'm past seventeen at present. Most of the funds went to charities. And another larger share, of course, went to father. He eventually blew all his money doing drugs and alcohol. At that time, we could not afford the bills for the h
A Thousand Lies Three: delicate and fragile
Temperance I sit in the back of the class again. Everything is worse today, worse than the other day. I haven't been to school in three days. I keep checking to make sure my hair covers the burn I have by my ear. "Woah, are you ok? You look sick." I hear Alec. "Do you have any Advil or literally any medicine?" I ask him in my raspy voice. I originally didn't wish to talk to him, and still don't, but if he has medicine, then it would be worth speaking a few words to this handsome guy. He is a dangerous bully... Well, I don't really know about him being a bully. I have never witnessed him bully someone. But everyone says that he is in a gang. Everyone says he isn't afraid to beat anyone to a pulp if you mess with him. So I really shouldn't be talking to him, but I really need some medicine at this moment. He digs in his backpack and drops two pills from a pill bottle onto my hand. I grab my water bottle and plop the pills into my mouth. With one sip, they are gone. "Why
A Thousand Lies Four: get out
TemperanceSo warm and comfy. I snuggle deeper into the sheets. And that's when I realize it. I'm not in my room. I immediately sit up, scanning the room I am in.I am sitting up in an unfamiliar room, on a king-size bed. Alec sits at the end of the bed that's presumably his, looking at his phone. I checked myself. I am wearing an oversized black t-shirt and shorts. I'm not in the clothes I wore when I got to school. Meaning... Alec saw everything on my body. I immediately freak out. Alec looks at me, watching my facial expressions. He forms a weak smile on his face. "Hey." His voice is soft. "Hey," I answer, trying to stay calm, but my heart is beating a million miles an hour. He moves closer to me and gets under the covers with me, like a weirdo, and sits beside me.I inch back from the stranger that has kidnapped me. "I put my number in your phone. In case you need help." He informs me. I nod, staying silent, not knowing what to say. "I didn't dress you." He a
A Thousand Lies Five: hideaway
Temperance I'm falling. Waiting for someone I barely know to catch me. To my surprise, he does with a grunt from impact. "We need to l-leave," I tell him. I get out of his arms, ignoring my dad's screams. I open the passenger door, placing myself in the seat as he runs around to the driver's seat. "What was that?" He asks, concerned about the new wounds covering my face. I sigh and lean my head back in the seat. "Just drive," I respond. He starts driving down the road, and I relax. "You better start talking before I take you back there." He threatens, bringing himself back to an asshole. I look at him in fear. He wouldn't... would he? I don't know what to tell him. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I'm abused and raped a lot. But that's okay. No, I can't tell him that. So I make up a lie. “See... I was about to get grounded. So I ran out of the window. Because I didn't want to be grounded." I know my lie didn't sound believable. It is obvious it is far from true.
A Thousand Lies Six: let's make a deal
TemperanceI sit in the car with the five boys, the bulletproof vest Alec made me wear is making me feel claustrophobic. While Connor drives, Alec is in the passenger seat. Zander and Ethan are sitting on either side of me with Damien in the back. Alec and Connor are having their own conversation in the front while me and the boys have ours in the back. Although it’s mostly just them talking and me listening I still find it comforting. After about thirty minutes of driving in the dark Connor stops the car. Everyone gets out of the car with their guns and I follow blindly like a lamb to its slaughter. If I am being fully honest I would tell you I'm scared. But I'm a liar so I'll say I'm brave. "If anything goes south shoot to kill. And Flower. Remember what I told you."He refers to me staying beside him or Zander. I nod, the nickname of flower still irking me. Alec leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, "Stop trembling. I won't let anything happen to you." I didn't even rea
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A Thousand Lies Seventy-three: the lies
Alec"You think this isn't hard for me?" Chris runs his fingers through his hair."I didn't say that." I grit my teeth, my ears ring with annoyance.I slam my hands on the table, snapping everyone's attention back to me. "Even if she's happier gone, did you guys forget that she was almost taken a few weeks ago?"I can almost see her small body fighting off her attempted kidnapper. If he would've overtaken her I swear I would've shot him right then and there."So you think she's in danger?" Chris grits his teeth."I'm saying I don't know what kind of trouble she's in!" I want to yell at everyone, telling them to search until the bottoms of their feet are rubbing off."I have something you need to see!" Bee and Rea bust through the door. I watch as Rea slightly glances at Connor before pushing her long hair out of her face.I stand to my feet, glancing at everyone at the table before leaving with the two girls. My heart races in my chest as we enter the security room."So... you're not
A Thousand Lies Seventy-two: I'm happy to be here
I stand completely still, my hands behind my back as my posture tightens."Is this fun for you?" My father asks me, shoving his pointer finger at me. My head gets knocked back and my body follows before catching myself with a stumble."I-is what fun?" The corners of my lips threaten to turn downwards."Watching me take care of you while you stay completely selfish. Do you not understand that I'm suffering because of you?" He squats down, bringing his hands to his face.Tears fall down his cheeks and onto the floor. Light sobs fill the room and I can't help but copy his crying.My hands come up to my face to wipe my tears away.I don't know why I'm crying because of him. Maybe it's this love I still have for him that makes me upset when he cries."I-I'm sorry." I hiccup, watching him lift his head. He crawls towards me, bringing himself upwards and wrapping his arms around me.He places his chin on my shoulders and softly cries.Maybe this is a turning point? Maybe he will finally real
A Thousand Lies Seventy-one: She's dead
TemperanceMy legs threaten to give out as I continue to pump them, trying to find my destination. In some sick way this reminds me of the times growing up that I was forced to run away from my father. Through my life with him, the familiar pain I would feel in my bones would cause me to sob as my legs continued to sprint.After years of the abuse I suffer with complex ptsd. I have a slight limp in my left leg where my knee is. Every-time I run like this I feel fire ignite in my knee. Not only that but my eyesight has also faltered through the abuse. From constantly pouring alcohol into my eyes as a form of punishment I was forced to get eye surgery two months ago. Even with the surgery I will eventually need glasses since my eyesight is still poor. My body is littered with scars from that monster. I got out alive but with the cost of my leg, my eyesight, and my skin."S-she's dead Temperance!" Danny yells at me, dragging me out of my thoughts.Her breathing is rigid as she slows down
A Thousand Lies Seventy: Lack of understanding
AlecI thin my lips out, wanting to crush the note she's left me in my hands. I've read it over and over.I love Temperance with everything in me but the notes she always leaves when she runs away are starting to get annoying.I've never understood her reasonings for running away aside from right now. In the past, she knew I could protect her. She knew she didn't have to go back but she still did.Now, she thought I was replacing her. I almost did replace her."Dear Alec, I don't know why I bother with these notes anymore. They seem like such a childish thing. How else would you know I left on my own will Vs if I was kidnapped?Anyways, I can't stay here while someone else is in my place by your side. I can't watch you be happy with another woman while I'm simply cast aside. I know you say this is for me but I never asked you to do this. I love you dearly and I want a future with you so bad but now I know that I can't have one with you. As soon as you picked a stranger over me is when
A Thousand Lies Sixty-nine: Strength
TemperanceTossing and turning through the night.My sleep has always been weary. The only time I ever got a full night of sleep was whenever my father would knock me unconscious.Being by Alec would help me. All I would do is put my hand on his chest. His chest moving up and down would help lull me to sleep.I turn towards the wall on the stained twin sized mattress. I look at the door, staring through the fist sized hole.Alec isn't here anymore. It's just me.My sheets and pillow smell like my room. Our room. They smell like Alec.I inhale the scent, letting a tear slip down my scarred cheek.I feel disgusted letting my wonderful sheets touch this disgusting mattress. It's the only thing blocking my skin from touching the stains but it still makes me cringe.People have no doubt had sex on this mattress. This is a whore house after all. My only question is how long will I be able to stay here?I have to pay up someday and they will make me do it with my body.I don't want that.I'v
A Thousand Lies Sixty-eight: Another note
Alec I sit uncomfortably in a seat in an empty meeting room. My heart aches in my chest. I feel physically fatigued from the pain I feel mentally. Who knew a breakup could hurt like this? I can't help but want to cry as I replay the events from hours ago. I can't forget the pain in her eyes as she screamed. There was so much emotion built up. Her eyes showed so much pain... so much anger. I was almost afraid she would punch me. I never would've imagine she would throw things at me. Arellas words play in my head over and over again. "You took her in and killed her father. The day you took her in is the day you signed a contract to protect her. That girl is more of your responsibility than I am." I've always thought of Arella as my responsibility. Temperance too... but not in the way Arella has put it. I have taken everything Temperance has never known away from her. I've stolen her old life and basically forced her to live with me. "Alec, what the hell are you doing?" I feel a
A Thousand Lies Sixty-seven: Gracelyn Sinclair
Temperance"He might not even go through with the marriage." Connor states, leaning on my dresser beside me as we stare at the wall opposite to us.I shake my head no, giving a sad smile, "The fact t-that he's e-even going is enough d-disrespect to me. I'm... I'm not-not staying here." I try to twist my ring around only to get a stab in the heart when I find nothing there.Connor turns towards me, "You're leaving. What about us? You'll be leaving everyone. Me, Zander, Ethan, Damien, Rea, Bee, and Ella. Can you really handle that?"I have made amazing friends while being here... but I can't just walk around this mansion like it's mine whenever Alec will take a wife soon."I c-can see you... and Z-Zander-no not him. Chris, I can see him. No o-one else." I love them all but I know I'll only be able to keep a tight circle if it means leaving. I know Alec will look for me when I leave and I'm not planning to let him find me.He tries to speak, trying to get me in my right mind before I beg
A Thousand Lies Sixty-six: Temperance
AlecI watch in shock as the woman I love throws things at me, glass cutting my face as she screams.She looks insane as she screams. In her eyes there's an emptiness. Like she's not all there. Somethings different about her.Connor has watched this whole thing play out, I can tell he's clearly on Temperances side. He watches with a hint of interest as she screams at me. Like he's studying the human emotion on someone who is severely angry.Ella turns the water off, pulling Connor back as Temp makes her way to me.Temperance isn't after Connor. She wouldn't hurt Connor. She's after me.She doesn't understand my reasons. I'm doing this for her. I love her so much that I would marry another woman just to keep her safe.Her safety is my main priority.There's multiple eyes from our friends on her. I feel almost embarrassed to be screamed at by her in this manner.Zander stands in front of the crowd. Rea clings onto his arm. Damien and Ethan stare dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.I ca
A Thousand Lies Sixty-five: Just like you
TemperanceI thought everyone is supposed to have character growth. Not just in books but in real life. Yet it's been a year and a half and I'm still stuck on what happened during my adolescence.I stare in the mirror I stand in front of. Things are definitely different from back then. My looks included.Back then my hair was long and thin. Now it's thick and short, down to my shoulders. My eyes used to be dull and lifeless but now they are bright. My thin and honey body is now healthy and I'm never starving.To think I almost killed myself.If I would have I wouldn't be where I am now. Both of my parents are dead, anyone who's wronged me is gone, I'm surrounded by a loving husband and amazing friends.Several times my mind has gone back to the one person that escaped my grasp. The one person that slipped through my fingers.Emaline.My best friend.I see her every time I closed my eyes. Her face is morphed now, it's blurry. Her face has faded from my mind. I haven't forgotten her, ju
