Chapter One

Olivia wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead. The sun was scorching hot and the bags in her hands were getting heavier by the second. She just knew her sister was making her wait on purpose. She searched the empty road, anxiously waiting for the cab driver they had called to arrive. She sighed in relief once she saw the yellow and black car pull up.

" Sorry for the wait, ma'am." A middle aged man with dark eyes grinned apologetically through the window.

" It's alright. Could you wait here a little longer? There's someone I'm waiting for." Olivia didn't wait for a reply as she began dumping the shopping bags into the trunk.

" I'm telling you Jenny, I know the bouncer. Don't stress girl. We met at the same bar one night and let's just say we've become acquainted with each other..." Her sister giggled on the phone.

Olivia waited for for sister to get inside the car before joining her. She told the driver the address and stared out the window as they drove back.

" Where are my bags?!" Her sister screeched, snapping Olivia out of her thoughts. She turned to find her sister frantically scanning the car.

" They're in the trunk, Miss Alyssa. " Olivia informed her. This made Alyssa relax in her seat before she returned to her call.

" Yes! So all you need to do is get ready, look fabulous and I'll come pick you up, Okay?.... Bye." Alyssa hung up the call.

By this time Olivia was too deep in her own world. The only thing on her mind was her mother. It had been so long since they last met each other and she was worried deeply. Her chest tightened as she thought about the situation her mother was in. Had she eaten? Was she feeling good at all? Olivia made a mental note to meet her mother once she got back. She was so lost that she hadn't even heard her sister's rambling.

" Are you even listening to me?" Alyssa screeched.

" I apologize Miss Alyssa. I didn't get you." Olivia hung her head low.

" I said I want you to wash all the new clothes we've gotten because you know very well how I react to nee things. I also want my room cleared up because it's still a bit messy after last night's party. You also have to find my purse, that red one my boyfriend got for me. Understood?" Alyssa quirked a brow.

" Yes, Miss Alyssa." Olivia nodded. She could see the cab driver send her a sympathetic look through the rearview mirror but it only made her feel irritated. She hated it when people pitied her.

Olivia sighed, returning her gaze to the window. With all the chores she had it was impossible to see her mother. But she'd have to deal with it. She stiffened as they approached the house where she lived. The place she was meant to call home but always left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Alyssa didn't say anything and went into the house immediately.

" Do you need help, ma'am?" The cab driver asked as Olivia began lifting the heavy bags out of the trunk.

" No, it's fine. Here's your money." Olivia handed him some cash with her free hand before lifting all the bags with a grunt and heading inside.

~ ~ ~

Olivia leaned against the wall and released a sigh. She had been working nonstop since she got back and her body was aching all over. She continued scrubbing the edges of the living room carpet till she was sure it was clean. She took the bucket beside her and dumped the dirty water in the bathroom sink.

The sky outside was very dark and Olivia frowned when she saw her stepfather's car parked up in the front of their house. She wondered how on earth she hadn't seen him come in.

She had finished her work quite early and it made her smile to know that she would be able to see her mother tonight. She dried her wet hands on her apron before heading towards her stepfather's room.

Olivia stood in front of the huge wooded door. Her insides clenched as she struggled to muster up the courage to face her stepfather. This was something she did every day but she could never get that fear of him out of her. With one deep breath, she knocked firmly on the door.

" Come in." Her stepfather's gruff voice came.

Olivia's nose scrunched up immediately as the foul stench of sweat and alcohol met her nostrils. The floor was littered with bottles of alcohol and her stepfather laid almost naked in the middle of it all. He looked at her tiredly, his whole appearance taking her off guard. Olivia had never seen her stepfather in such a state. He looked exhausted, anxious and... dishevelled.

" What do you want, Child?" He slurred, making her flinch.

" Dinner is ready, Father." She whispered, loud enough for him to hear her. Her stepfather only nodded and dismissed her.

Olivia wasted no time before bolting out of the room. She quickly went over to her stepsister's room and informed her that dinner was ready. It took only a few minutes for her to reach the small storage room where she slept. She quickly grabbed the container of food and a bottle of water she had stolen from the kitchen and sneakily went out of the house. Neither her stepfather nor Alyssa was ready for dinner so she had some time for her mother.

Olivia headed to the back of the house where she hoped to see her mother. She spotted the shed at the far end of their house and smiles when she saw that her stepfather had forgotten the keys on the door.

The door creaked loudly as she got in. Olivia held her breath as the smell of blood filled her nostrils. It wasn't something she'd ever get used to. The shed was dark but for the moonlight that came through a window at the end of it. That was where she'd escape from. She could hear the sounds of chain being dragged against the floor.

The light coming from the window cast itself on her mother and Olivia knelt beside her. she felt a sob tear at her throat as her mother weakly lifted her head to meet hers.

" Olivia? Is that you?" Her mother's voice was hoarse, probably from her screaming too much.

Olivia engulfed her mother in a tight hug. She had missed her mother dearly and now she couldn't hold back. She brought out the food she brought and began feeding her mother.

" Have you eaten yet?" Her mother frowned when Olivia began feeding her. Olivia nodded her head. She knew if she told the truth her mother would never eat the food. She relaxed her shoulders when her mother accepted the food.

Olivia fee her mother in silence, relishing the fact that they were together after so long. She narrated the events of today to her mother, leaving the part where she worked too hard and focused more on how she had seen her stepfather so drunk.

" Something is definitely wrong. He's never like that." Her mother sighed.

Olivia nodded. She was more worried with the fact that her stepfather would definitely carry out his frustration out on her mother.

" Mother, I-" They gasped when a loud bang came from the door.

" He's here. Leave!" Her mother whispered harshly.

" But-" Olivia began to protest.

" Now !" Her mother gave her push. Olivia sniffled but obeyed nonetheless. She grabbed the empty container of food and ran out through the window.

Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran down back into the house. This had to stop.