Hi welcome to my story, it is quite a dark beginning. please leave me a review and let me know what you think and if I should continue writing it.

Thank you x

It was late, the stars were trying to shine through the glare of the street lights; but their eerie orange glow just swallowed up the beauty of the night. I sat on the window seat next to my little brother's bed. my new sketchpad resting against my knees. It had been a gift from my parents, along with a new art set, because today had been my 16th birthday. 'Today you become a woman.' My dad had chimed this morning over breakfast. I sighed as I gazed out the window, enjoying the quietness of the house, because I knew it wouldn't last.

My little brother asleep next to me mumbled something in his sleep and I glanced at him to check he was ok; but he didn't wake he just rolled over and carried on sleeping. I wish I could sleep like that. I wish I could go back to being 5 years old, back then life had been good, we'd been happy. Sadness washed over me as I watched Sebastian sleep, knowing he had never known it. His life has always been tinted with darkness. I tried to protect him from it as much as I could, but it wasn't enough. I sighed again watching him sleep. The differences in our appearance were startling. Seb looked just like dad with his pale skin and platinum blonde hair; and I took after our mom with my fair skin and fire blazing red curly hair. I gazed out the window one more time before I slipped off the window ledge, may as well try to sleep. though I had slept many nights here on this ledge watching over Sebastian tonight had been a quiet night so I headed to my room, closing Seb's door quietly behind me. I threw my sketchpad onto my desk and crashed onto my bed fully clothed, staring up at the now faded glow in the dark stars on my ceiling. My best friend Simon had put them up when we were about 8 years old when our camping trip with school had been cancelled due to weather, 'see we can still sleep beneath the stars' he had said as we laid on my bed wrapped in our sleeping bags listening to the storm blazing against my window.

CRASH!

My eyes opened with a start as I heard a scream, and I bolted upright in bed. He's back. I was just about to rush to Seb's room to check on him when my door burst open and Seb came running in carrying his favourite dinosaur teddy. He ran to my bed climbing in. I heard mom scream again and him shout as something smashed.

"It's ok buddy." I said as I stroked his hair trying to comfort him as the screaming and shouting raged on. "Stay here! I'll be right back." I said to him as I slid out of bed.

"Don't go!" He pleaded his eyes wide with fear.

"I've got to check on mom. Hide in my closet if you want, the torch is still n there. I'll come right back I promise" I said as I walked towards the door. Seb slid off the bed and ran into my closet pulling the door closed behind him. "Seb remember don't come out! no matter what you hear, I will come and get you when it's safe. Ok?"

"OK," I heard his scared voice call and once I was sure he was safe I headed out towards the noise.

They were in the kitchen; mom was on the floor; her lip was bleeding and there was a smashed plate and glass all over the floor. Dad had his back to me so mom saw me enter first and she shook her head to try and tell me to stay out of it. He noticed and turned to see me standing in the door way.

"Ah! Here she is. The birthday girl." He slurred smiling as he held his arms out. he was clearly drunk. Again.

"Go to bed Clary." Mom said as she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth streaking it with blood.

"Today you become a woman Clarissa." He slurred as he walked towards me clearly choosing to ignore my mom. I felt my fear rising as he got closer, my body readying itself for the blow. He grabbed my face in his vice like grip and tilted it up so I am looking him in the eyes. "And want a fine woman you are turning out to be." He breathed into my neck as he leaned into me, suffocating me with the stench of alcohol rolling off his breath. His other hand snaking up my body, my stomach twisted in fear as his hand explored my body, I felt my panic rising.

"No!" I said and pushed him, shocking myself and him into releasing my face. He looked at me menacing and his hand went to his belt. oh god, not the belt.

"Leave her alone Val!" my mom said finally standing.

"I think you need a lesson on showing some respect!" He said menacingly as he wrapped the belt round his hand for better grip, leaving the buckle end dangling. And he swung it and all I could see was red as pain lashed through my body, again and again. I didn't scream as I knew that would just make it worse, I clenched my mouth shut trying to keep from making any noise as tears streamed down my face.

"STOP! VAL!" My mother screamed trying to pull my dad away from my crumpled body on the floor. He backhanded her forcefully and she staggered back from the force of it, but it had done the job.

"Get out of my sight!" he said as he pointed a threatening finger at me, "Next time show some respect!" he spat the last word before turning on my mom "And you! HOW DARE YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" he yelled as he advanced on her, I got up cautiously wincing at the fresh welts from the belt that stung the side of my face, arm and back. I had just managed to pull myself into a standing position when it happened.