Chapter one

SOFIA'S POV

TWO WEEKS EARLIER...

He wrapped his large hand around my neck, pinning me to the wall. I gasped, struggling to breathe, but the pressure only increased. I could feel my life slipping away.

"If I ask you to do something, you comply immediately, or I'll kill you!" he growled, his voice filled with venom. His hand tightened around my neck, choking me even more.

I managed to nod weakly, hoping he'd let go. And after what felt like an eternity, he finally released me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my throat and gasping for air.

I stared at his feet as he walked out of the room, his heavy boots echoing with every step. Tears blurred my vision, and my breathing became ragged. For a moment, I thought I was going to die.

"Sofia! Sofia!" someone shook me gently, pressing on my chest. My eyes fluttered open, and I sucked in a deep breath. My mother's worried face came into focus, her hands gripping my shoulders.

Relief washed over me as I realized it was just a dream- no, not a dream, a memory. The haunting recollection of being pinned to the wall and struggling to breathe.

"Had a nightmare?" Tam asked softly, stroking my hair. Her touch was soothing but the unease still lingered.

"I'm sorry I disturbed your sleep, mom" She didn't reply, she just gave me a small reassuring smile, nodding her head.

"I'll go back to sleep now. Goodnight, Mom." I said, turning away to hide the tears that was about to spill.

"Goodnight," she replied, leaning down to kiss my cheek before standing up. She left the light on, knowing I hated sleeping in complete darkness.

I turned over, closing my eyes and willing myself back to sleep.

*********

The shrill of the alarm clock, dragged me from my sleep.

Groaning, I slapped my alarm clock as it blared for the third time. "Why don't you just shut up? I'm up already," I muttered, glaring at it like it was a person.

The bright red 7:00 AM on the screen made me jolt up from the bed. I had only an hour to get ready for work.

Rubbing my temples, I sighed, dreading the headache that was starting to brew. I ran into the bathroom quickly and managed to finish getting ready within thirty minutes.

Rushing to the kitchen, the enticing aroma of pancakes filled my nostrils. My mom was already cooking breakfast, I hugged her from behind with a huge grin on my face.

"Good morning " I sang.

"Sweetheart, morning. "Tam turned to me and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Hmm, this is tempting, but I can't eat breakfast"I said staring at the pancake in the plate.

"Come on, Sofia don't do this. I don't like it when you go to work without food "

"I eat at work mom, I just don't like eating early " I shrugged as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and a cup from the plate rack.

"When last have you eaten my food?"

"Last night mom, I can remember vividly. It was so delicious " I teased, grinning.

Mom sighed giving up and turned back to the egg she was frying. Seeing her sad expression I dropped the cup on the counter and moved closer to her then grab a piece of the pancake off the plate, I then took a bite and waved the remaining in her face. "Happy now? "

"Its for your own good Sof, I know my cooking is-"

"Don't say that mom, your food is the best I'll ever taste in my entire life."

"Yeeeeesssssss!!! " A victorious shout echoed from the other side of the house.

It was undoubtedly from my seven year old brother, Tyler, probably celebrating a win in his video game instead of getting ready for school.

"Don't tell me Tyler is not ready yet cos if he's not-God knows I am so angry right now, and I swear to God- I'm so gonna beat the fuck out of him if he makes me late for work again!" I huffed angrily, storming out of kitchen ignoring my mother's frown.

"Tyler!! " I yelled, my voice echoing through the room.

"Sofia, come back here now! " Mom called after me, her voice firm but gentle, making me stop and turn grumpily.

"Mom!"

"Now I say! "

Grumbling, I trudged back into the kitchen.

"I'll take care of him, just go back and finish your food and you owe me a dollar for cussing at your brother "

"Fuck! "I muttered remembering my slip up.

"That's two dollars " She smiled wryly, referencing the makeshift "swear jar" on the counter.

It was a rule in this house to never swear, and I was the only one always falling victim of the goddamn rule cos I can't keep the bad words from slipping out of my mouth.

I grumbled under my breath, depositing the money into the jar. I hated being late, and Tyler's carelessness was testing my patience.

Checking the time I realized I only had twenty minutes left. I wouldn't like to stress mom by letting her take Tyler to school so I waited until he was ready.

"Hey Sof, I love your makeup" Tyler appeared at the entrance, grinning at me, but I glared at him in return.

"What are you talking about, I have no makeup on" I snapped.

"You do, you don't look this good without makeup" he winked before walking ahead of me, his backpack bouncing behind him.

Urgh, Annoying, cute, little kid.

***

"Late again, Ms. Butler," Mr. Andy said as I walked through the door, entering his office to sign attendance.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, keeping my head down.

"What's your excuse this time? Your brother again?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I had to take him-"

"For goodness' sake, Sofia!" he bellowed, making me flinch. My body tensed, my mind spiraling into panic. Was he going to hit me?

"Go. Leave my sight," he said, his voice softening slightly.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. "You have to help me deliver something to this address," he said, handing me a slip of paper. "Use the map if you get lost. If you'd been here on time, James would've done this job. Just be careful and call if there's an issue."

I stared at the paper in confusion. Delivering goods wasn't part of my job description as a mall cashier. Why was he asking me to do this?

Without any further explanation, he handed me a small parcel.

I walked out of his office, still confused as hell when I bumped into Bianca, my best friend. She immediately pulled me into a hug.

"I heard him yelling. Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched across her face.

"I'm fine," I said with a forced smile. "I mean, the yelling part isn't surprising, I'm used to it."

"Then what is it? You look pale, like you've seen a ghost or something."

"He wants me to deliver this," I said, showing her the paper.

Bianca frowned, examining the address. "Where is this? I've never heard of it."

"Exactly," I sighed, biting my lip nervously.

"Let's put it in the map. It should show us," she suggested.

"Yeah, I was planning to do that anyway," I replied, pulling out my phone and typing the address into the app, hoping this strange task wouldn't lead to trouble.