I was so pissed. Just so done with everyone. My moms new boyfriend,Steve, had taken to treating me like a slave and slapping me when I didn't worse than slapping. Only minutes before, he had smashed a plate on the ground. When my mom came running in, he told her I did it in some sort of fit. "Mother, I didn't do anything!" I told her over and over. She just sighed and left to get the broom and dustpan. The second her foot was out of the room, I felt a sharp pain in my cheek. "Next time, tell her you did it! Pig!" My eyes filled with tears but I would not let them fall. I wouldn't let him see my pain. I stood silently and wiped my eyes as my mother walked in. She looked at the red mark on my face questioningly buy was only met by silence. I swept up the mess and ran up to my room. I studied my face in the mirror. The mark on was even more visible due to my pale skin and long blonde hair. My gray eyes went over every inch of my face, catching every imperfection. I counted 6. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in trying to calm down,"Come on Serenity…" I stared at myself in the mirror thinking about my name. Serenity. I had never liked it but mother said that was the name I had when she adopted me. I slipped on my old very worn out converse and went outside. It was cold but I was never bothered by it. In fact, I almost enjoyed it. I breathed in the winter air and sighed as I let it out allowing a small smile. The roads were empty except a few cars that drove past. I pulled out my wallet and found a few dollars so I turned down the alley that led to the closest corner store. I had gone about halfway down when I heard a voice growl behind me, "Where are you goin' pretty lady?"