My name is Lisa Thorne and my life was perfect. I have a father, a mother, a loving sister named Renee and God. Well, I'm not too sure about the God part but father always used to say that God was our true benefactor and He was always present in our lives, protecting us. It's clearly understandable that my father would say such things since he's a priest and most of the townspeople admired his vast knowledge on religion. They would only attend to his sermons. Perhaps he knew God better?…I don't know. Well, enough about him, I would like to tell you about my sister and…me. Renee, my elder sister was much more attractive than me. Her hazel hair was soft like the silk tapestry that hung in our church and her eyes reminded me of the serene ocean. I simply admired her. I, on the other hand, was not as pretty as Renee was: my chestnut hair was usually in a mess, my clothes would regularly be encrusted with dried up mud and…that was all, I was not pretty.

As a family, we were a very happy one. We loved each other and took care of each other and I was thankful to God for giving me such an affectionate family. However later, things changed immensely and I didn't remain the same person as I was before…

You see, it all started when we would hold these ostentatious annual Thanksgiving parties in our home. Dad always loved the Thanksgiving parties and would invite lots of people to feast with us and how could they not come? They loved their town's priest. I was not very attached to father since he was always strict. He would always order me to stay away from youthful boys and would command me to pray before I eat, drink, sleep and the list went on and on. I wasn't even allowed to wear red lipstick to parties however my sister was since she was sixteen. I was only thirteen.

One thing I used to hate about our Thanksgiving parties was that father would invite these peculiar wealthy men to our home. You could tell that they were strange because they never mingled with the other guests except with father of course. They would sit and have dinner in another room, isolated from the gathering. I don't even know who they were and I didn't want to know. They were quite…intimidating.

Once, in one of our Thanksgiving parties, Father introduced Renee to them and they were all astounded by her beauty as their mouths were left gaping. Father left her to converse with them about common talks but I could tell that she was feeling quite uncomfortably shy. Renee never liked strange men. She only liked Edwin, the boy in her school. When everyone had finally left, Renee and I escorted ourselves to her room and began to blabbermouth. I really loved gossiping with Renee. She was such a great actor when came to imitating people. I really loved her… But soon things got worse for us.

In the morning, I woke up to see how Renee was doing. I really wanted to talk with her and wanted to discuss with her about her genuine relationship with Edwin but unexpectedly, the door was locked and I could hear her cry. It was a terrible one, filled with melancholy and pain. I tried twisting the knob and began calling her name however she did not respond to me. I was anxious now "Renee, what happened? Please open the door!" but she only shouted "GO AWAY FROM ME!" For second, I felt terrified since I had never, in my life, heard her scream to me in such a manner but I didn't give up. I decided to question mum and dad about her behavior and what had caused her sadness but they only said that she was probably going through a phase. I doubted that. Soon weeks passed and Renee was nowhere in sight. She kept to her herself in her room and I was beginning to miss her presence. Once I attempted to unlock the door but father caught me and severely scolded me. Only mum and he could visit Renee and that was unfair, to me at least.

Weeks later, Renee approached us. She looked very feeble and was holding mum's hand for support. I knew she wouldn't want to hug me but I hugged her anyway for I had missed her terribly. To my surprise, she hugged me back and whispered "Happy birthday" in my ear. Dad instructed me not to ask about the cause to her despondency and I didn't. I didn't care about that anymore…I was happy that she at least was back in my life. From that day, things became a little better: Edwin approached and proposed to her. Dad, initially, wasn't in favor of their marriage but after knowing that Edwin was a modest lad, he changed his mind. They were married happily in the cold night of October.

Thanksgiving had come in like a breeze and I helped mum with the roast. The smell of corn, chicken and gravy wafted in the air and I was literally starving. Renee and Edwin were sitting on the couch, discussing about love and what all married couple do. As for me, I was getting ready. After praying and dressing up for the party, dad came in to give me something special. A thing that I always wanted to experience…the red lipstick. Thanking dad, I gracefully outlined my lips with the scarlet stick and started filling in the center. Soon, guests started pouring and our whole living room was jam-packed. Everyone commented on my beauty and of Renee's happy marriage. I silently thanked God for making this Thanksgiving party a delightful one.

All of a sudden, Dad advanced towards me and lightly placed his hand on my shoulder saying, "Lisa, there is someone I would want you to meet."

Behind dad was a man who was wearing professional clothing. His hair was smoothly brushed and his face was clear except for the wisps of a moustache upon his upper lip. The aroma of his perfume was too strong that it my nose tingle. We introduced ourselves and began sharing insignificant details of our life. I didn't want to make conversation with him since I was feeling reluctant to share my life history with a stranger.

Thank God the party had ended later. All the guests left including Renee and her husband but before leaving, she hugged me and wished for my safety. I waved goodbye to her and went upstairs to pray to God but that night, someone had gagged my nose with a cloth. I couldn't respond but soon realized that piece of cloth reeked of drugs. I felt faint and slumbered.

It was dark and I could only see the faint light of a lamp which was unrecognizable to me. As my eyes fluttered open, I realized that I was naked, standing in someone else's house, wearing a black plain mask and fresh red lipstick. I was so shocked of my state and was petrified yet even more when I saw a man sitting on a divan, facing me. It was him, the man who I met in the party. Did he kidnap me? But why would he?...He stood up from his seat and gently strode towards me. I tried to back away but I was practically numb, his presence and expression was quite threatening. As he came closer, he cupped my chin and began fidgeting with my body. I squeezed my eyes shut and my legs shuddered due to the feeling. Why was he doing this to me? I didn't want this…wasn't there anyone to help? Father? Mother? Anyone?...oh God… yes, God would help me but…he wasn't there…why wasn't he here? I weakly called for help but his long index finger sealed my red lip.

Now his lips were near mine and I could feel his vapor breath. What was he trying to do? As he attempted to kiss me, I noticed a tea kettle on the table. I rapidly grabbed it and struck it on his forehead. He was bleeding massively and most of his blood had covered my face. He began cursing and lunged himself at me but I hit him again and this time harder. As he fell unconscious, I continuously struck the kettle on his head. I was so scared that my pants became hysterical and warm tears began to flow from my eyes but now wasn't the time to cry. I had to get back to my sanctuary.

As quickly as possible, I ran back home and suddenly found my father standing outside. He must have looked everywhere for me. He must have been so scared of realizing that I was kidnapped. As I wrapped myself in his arms, sobbing away, he noticed the blood on my face and could only give a slight gasp. "Lisa, what have you done?" he gravely spoke "Why have you returned? Mr. Parker was going to pay us handsomely if you would have stayed…" and the truth made me cry even harder. I realized it now.

For weeks, I secured myself in my room the same way as Renee did. Now I understand everything…about Renee, the mysterious men, my father…the truth. The reminders made me cry even harder and I didn't want to see anyone. I couldn't face them for what they had done. My father, a sincere priest, craved for money so he invited these men every Thanksgiving to discuss about dealings. They proposed the idea of fucking us and dad agreed to it. First it was Renee and then it was my turn. Renee kept it a secret from me but probably told Edwin and that's why he decided to quickly marry her so that she could remain protected…but I was left out…nobody wanted to protect me. Dad, who I always believed in, sold me off. I couldn't forgive him for that. Soon, Renee found out and pleaded me to come with her but I refused. I felt that if I ran, I was a being coward.

On the 27th of December, I visited the church and wondered about God. God…why didn't you help me or Renee? Why isn't our life perfect the way it was? Why did you abandon me...Why…God?... There was no God! He never helped us, helped me! He wanted us to be fucked! He abandoned us! Why would he ever smite dad? Dad's a priest, his favorite…

I completely had lost my mind but for a strange reason, I felt happy, in fact contented. I didn't needed God, not anymore. Someone else would guide me and would protect me. I went back in my room and located the scissors and with it, I cut my index finger, spilling blood so I could outline a pentagram on the floor. As I kneeled, I prayed to Satan that I was willing to sell my damn soul to him and that I was devoted to his miserable cause. In return, Satan was pleased and gifted me immortality. Nothing could kill me now.

I continued this practice secretly until after some time father found out. On one night, he entered my room (which I had forgotten to lock…hehe my bad.) I calmly turned my head, directed my gaze to his pathetic little face and began reading his expressions, he was indeed horrified. But believe me it was quite amusing to see him like that way. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" he screamed and began pulling me back. I squirmed, trying to escape his clasped arms around me but it was impossible. In one of his hand, he held one of the black masks and tried placing it on me forcefully. "Lisa. Lisa! You listen to me you wretch! There is another man who is willing to give us a great deal of money if you do this and now I don't want any mistakes. Do you understand! There will be no mistakes Lisa!" he panted as he attempted to place the mask on my face. But he made the biggest mistake of his life…he made me very angry. I grabbed the scissors and struck the blade into his chest. Blood squirted from his mouth and he dropped to the ground, with a wounded look on his face.

It's funny that I should've cried but I didn't. I didn't cry at all…I only laughed. It was such a malevolent one that I, myself, felt shivers running down my spine. The moon shone brightly and now it was time to do the devil's work. After killing mum, I began to create a new image for myself. I wore my father's priest robes and the black mask but I added a tiny detail to it: the left part of the eye was smudged with my father's blood. I walked towards the dressing table to take a look at myself until my gaze suddenly glimpsed at the red lipstick. I painted my lips with the scarlet color and then insanely painted a smile across my cheeks. I made a mess of myself but that didn't stop me from smiling. "There is no God," I said as I vigorously applied the lipstick, "There is only me and death."