Chapter 1-

Lexie rolled up her sleeves. She swept away the sweat that was beaded on her forehead. It was the middle of summer and she was stuck inside, again. Her parents were abusive and acted as though they were the lords and she the slave, the beggar. She sighed and finished up the vacuuming. God it was hot in here. She did the usual synchronized movements of up and down, up and down. The sucking noises of the vacuuming left the emerald carpet clean wherever it left. I squinted out the window to see my friends screeching in happiness with their bathing suits on whilst they threw weak water balloons at each other. I was looking out the window at our street. I lived in a cul-de-sac in Bunratty. I was almost eighteen, almost to freedom, and I couldn't wait. To be free from my parents would be free from your kidnapper.

I don't usually moan because I know there are people who have much worse parents out there, so I generally keep quiet about the beatings they give me when I don't do things up to their standards. I stood on the off button and was relieved by that annoying machinery sound. I closed my eyes and looked at our living room. Old paintings hung on our newly wallpapered wall, our carpets were accompanied with Persian carpets . Our furniture was man made. We obviously had enough money to get a whole fleet of maids, yet the choose me?

I asked myself this question everyday, afraid to ask the people that decided my fate. I heard the door key fumble and I set off to quickly put away the vacuum. I tugged the wire out the wall and pushed the button to slurp it up. I yanked open the storage door and pushed the vacuum in. I closed the door behind me and turned around to see my dad looking amused. Amused at my fear.

"Hi, father."

"Lexie, a bit late are you?"

"Yes, sorry I had to go to a school meet." my words came out all fumbled and I was talking quickly in my fear.

He smiled the 'I win' smile he did when ever he thought I was going to pee my pants when I saw him. He slung his jacket over his shoulder. He looked me up and down like I was lunch.

"your wearing that for tonight?" I looked down at my self. I wore slacks and a small red top and I was barefooted.

"Tonight? I didn't see anything else on the list?" I started to shake. Not another senseless beatings. I had only just recovered from the other one.

"ah, yes. I forgot. We are going around to my friends, the Barans."

"Are they new?"

"yes they are. They are just renting a house here for a while I believe. I want you to wear something nice. Something to impress. I put some new dresses on the stairs. Be ready to go at eight sharp."

"Of course." I said wearily. The disappointment nearly blinded me. I was going out for a movie with Erin, Sara, Mark, and Frank. I bowed my head as I walked past him. On the stairs I found three dresses to choose from. I hugged them to myself as I walked up the stairs. I took the usual left and went to the last door on the left. I opened the door to my only refuge in my house. My walls were purple. I had a bay window where I write all my songs on my guitar. My room was yes, quite big. I put the dresses on my double bed so I could see them. After much pondering I went with the purple silk strapless dress. It clung to my body and covered my feet. I put on small silver heels and stood up, and almost fell over.

"whoa, son of a.." and my phone rang.

"Lex, its frank where are you?"

"Ugh Frank, I'm so sorry, I'm trapped. My parents are taking me out to a dinner."

"Shit Lex. Aw man. Its alright I guess."

"Frank, please. I'll make it up to you."

"Ok. Ill see you tomorrow."

"Bye."

"Bye"

Now I felt really bad. All I did was moan. And look, my parents cant be that bad. They gave me this room, and this dress. I breathed out and went to my dressing table. I but my wavy brown hair in a messy-but-neat bun at the back of my head. I gave my self smoky eyes to go in contrast with my rare lavender eyes. I but a little blush on and topped it off with lip gloss.

"There." I looked at my self in the mirror.

My mom practically floated in with her new channel silver dress.

"Darling, you look, umm, ok, I guess."

"how do you like this dress?"

"Its very nice mother."

"mm yes, what make is yours again?" a cruel smile slid across her face.

"It doesn't have one." She laughed her cruel laugh. This really didn't bother me. I didn't care what make a dress was. I just wanted her for once not to rub it in my face.

"Hurry up. We are late because of you." I got up and stumbled. She continued to laugh every time I fell whilst showing off her six inch stilettos. Bitch.

At The Barans rental house we were greeted by a butler. We were in a huge mansion, fountains and all. My dad put an arm on my moms lower back and stood away from me. Whatever, I would bite him if he tried to do that.

" Welcome Potrad family." a man about dads age came out and shook hands with my dad and mom.

"its been too long Victor."

"Ah yes Ronan It has, and this is your new wife?" my mom chortled and replies with a flirtatious voice.

"Ronan you are still as funny as you were the last time I saw you."

He looked back at me. Fascination in his eyes.

"and this is….?" my dad laughed.

"Our daughter, Lexie." my dad looked clearly into Ronan's eyes. It was like a click took place.

"ah, yes." he walked over to me and took my hand. He kissed it and my skin crawled. He had a deep hunger in his eyes.

"Hi, Mr. Baran." my voice was close to a squeak. I felt like a trapped mouse. Something was going to happen. i could do nothing but watch whilst they all began to advance on me. Shit.