Sophia

My body was on fire, burning as my fingers softly caressed the bruises that littered over my body. As the scolding water touched them, I winced and began to wash my hair and body even quicker than before. The sorrow and pain I felt as I ran my hands through my short black locks was another reminder of my disgusting "parents." A shudder went down my spine as I thought of the glassy looks in their eyes as each blow landed on my body, the stench of alcohol on their breath and the sharp pain that covered my body for days after each beating. As tears fell from my eyes, I wiped them away and continued to rinse out my hair, going as fast as possible.

Once my hair was clean, I turned the taps off and wrapped a towel around my small frame, careful to avoid putting pressure on the angry bruise that stained my right side. I was almost certain I'd broken a rib, my defenceless body was no match for the corner of the coffee table.

After drying off I pulled on a purple top and a tattered pair of jeans. I caught sight of myself in the mirror, but the girl staring back wasn't me. Not willing to see my sorry state, I hurried to the comfort of my bedroom.

Keeping my ear out for any noises I curled up under my blanket, looking out at the stars that littered the night sky. A few moments later I pulled out the small leather-bound book I had been reading, enjoying the escape from my pitiful reality. After what seemed to be hours, my eyelids began to droop, I closed the aged pages and let my body pull my mind into the dark abyss of sleep.

…

A loud blood-curdling scream jolted me out of my dreamless sleep, I clenched my eyes shut holding my hands over my ears. I wished for the day my parents would stop screaming at each other all the time. A stranger's voice emerged after the screaming had stopped, in an instant I was on my feet and running to the lounge room. I stopped in the doorway as a scream ripped its way out of my throat.

Four sets of red-rimmed eyes turned towards me as I took a quick step back in horror. They seemed to glow in the moonlight streaming in from the now broken window, their skin deathly pale. Blood dripped from their mouths and ran down their chin. A tear dribbled its way down my face as I saw what remained of my parents. The puncture wounds that scattered their skin spewed out blood and their heads were sharply twisted to the side. They were too far gone to save now. I shook my head to try and pull myself together, I could feel the adrenalin pulsing through my veins. I had to get out.

I slammed the door to the living room before running back to my room, almost instantly I could hear a pair of footsteps following.

"Jarod, stop playing with your food. Let's finish of in here and then we can all get dessert." Slowly, the footsteps retreated.

"Fine, but I get first bite." He replied in resignation.

As quietly and quickly as I could, I packed a few things into my backpack. Just as I pulled on the last zip, there was a commotion downstairs. Moving faster than I thought possible, I slung the bag over my shoulder and opened the window. The cool air came as a shock to my adrenalin-fuelled body.

"Shit," I murmured. The only jumper I owned was in my parent's room, and it was in tatters thanks to my last beating. I looked around frantically, desperate to find anything warm.

"Check upstairs, I'm sure there's more lurking around." I froze, the only rooms up here were my room and the bathroom. It wouldn't take long to find me, and sure enough, within seconds my door creaked open. I wasn't sticking around to see what was there. I swung my legs over the window seal and jumped.

"We've got a runner." I heard the person in my room say. I landed on the ground with a loud thud, pain ricocheting through my body. I looked back up towards my room to see a pair of legs dangling down, acting on instinct, I ran.

My house backed onto a forest, the perfect area to hide. I sprinted with everything I had in me, the sound of my pursuer landing on the ground only making my run faster. I got to the first tree I could find, and climbed, thankful for the thick layer of darkness that the night brought. I perched myself on a branch, just below the canopy. A few moments later I saw a figure running below me. A small smile spread across my face.

A/N

Hey guys,

This is my first Fanfic, just thought I would say that I am Australian so the spelling and phrases in here will be Aussie ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or any of the characters involved.