Prologue – Escape

The moment I got the opportunity, I ran away. I darted out of the house as fast as I could to escape my stepfather. Through the city, across roads and pavements not stopping or even daring to meet the eyes of the other people in front of me, some of them even trying to stop me. I knew they would never understand seeing as they never did. Reports of the abuse were ignored or treated as childish and non-existent because they came from a kid no older than ten who doesn't understand what is being said.

I thought the injuries on my back would be sufficient evidence but they took everything with more than your regular pinch of salt and carried me back home, despite my desperate protests. They reported what occurred to my parents and left without even an interrogation or at least a search of the household. I knew from the fire in my stepfather's eyes and the smell of alcohol permeating off of him that tonight would be painful to both me and my mother.

After he had dealt with me, which consisted of me being his personal punching bag and target practice for perfecting his aim using his beer can and random pieces of glass, he moved unto my mother. I bore witness to things no eight year old should ever see, yet, right before my eyes, I saw my stepfather rape, torture and murder my mother. I never thought it would happen that I would see the day that he would just go past the abuse and step into the art of murdering. Somewhere in my heart, I knew, despite my stepfather's hatred for me and my mother that he would never do this sort of madness and I knew some sort of outside source was responsible.

Originally, he smelt like pure alcohol, but now he had the scent of grapes mixed in. I knew there wasn't any grape wine in the house so I was left a bit confused. I never understood why my senses and instincts were so much higher than the average humans' but I never bothered to question it either. My vision was sharper than most, I could see the littlest thing from a greater distance. My hearing was the same but the difference is with hearing rather than seeing. Taste, smell and touch were the same as well. I react to things faster than other eight year olds and I always seem to know when something is going to happen by getting this buzzing feeling throughout my body.

I ran and ran until I dropped from exhaustion by a random creek in the forest. I stared up at the starless night sky. The dark foreboding clouds drifting aimlessly through the sky and I found myself wondering why I couldn't be as free as the clouds. I stared at it angrily, silently demanding the head of who was responsible for my misery. The slash my stepfather made on my back burned making me feel very uncomfortable. I knew I had a concussion as well and several bruises around my body from his 'target practice' session.

I needed to get off my back but I seemed to lack enough energy to move even my fingers. Breathing was getting harder and harder from me and left me wondering if I was going to die now. At least I will be with my mother now I thought to myself as my vision began to grow darker.

I began to feel water dripping on my skin, as if someone when lamenting the loss of life but I knew it was impossible. I simply wasn't worth the time or the tears. Oddly, the rain seemed to give me strength and was reducing the pain from the slash on my back. I regained my self-awareness but I still couldn't move.

Suddenly, there were several flashes of light towards the corner of my eye. With great effort, I turned my head towards it.

Seven people sprang into existence when the light faded. I looked closer, using my enhanced sight, and distinguished the difference of the people who had just appeared.

Three men, four women? I questioned myself. They drew closer and my answer was confirmed.

I couldn't make out any facial features but I could hear their voices. It seemed like they were arguing. My body spasmed and I let out an involuntary groan my I realized my back was hurting again. This silenced their argument. One of the males, the tallest of them judging by his silhouette being the towering one stooped down towards me and touched my forehead.

I tried to shake him off but my body wouldn't move.

"Don't worry son, we'll take care of you," the man said while using his other hand to caress my hair. I was officially creeped out but was hit by a wave of tiredness before I could do anything.

I resisted it as much as I could and I could feel an intense tugging in my gut followed by a roar of what seemed like water.

The man chuckled and said, "Relax Perseus, I am your father and I am here to help you."

I internally gasped but lost control of whatever I was doing. The tugging in my gut receded, the sound of the water vanished after making a crashing sound, and my vision faded.

I managed to whisper out; "Dad?" before losing consciousness.