Author's Note: To some of my readers that have read Broken, thank you for supporting me. To all the new readers of this, please read my story, "BROKEN". Hope you guys enjoy this story.

CHAPTER 1- Noticeable

I and Dad went home when we heard that there was a lady in trouble at the port. They said that her boat has sunk and she landed in shore. There were a lot of people crowded up all together. They were formed up in a circle.

I saw dad help the people out. Next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. I watched as the girl had beautiful long, golden hair. She was beautiful. She looks like she's the same age of my dad.

She looked like mom, only mom's hair was brown. I just wish that mom was here. I miss her. It's been 5 years since—the accident.

When I saw the accident on this girl with golden hair, it reminded me of what happened to my mom.

This is what happened...

Mom was on the way home one stormy day. Well, she rode a small boat to get back here.

We were waiting for her in the port—me and dad.

But then, a wave hit the boat. The boat flipped over. We saw mom struggling. We noticed that her life vest was loose so it slipped out. I shouted for help.

Dad looked for a boat to get there.

She was too far.

I was crying and crying. I didn't want to stop.

Until- someone brought her body. They tried to rescue her by performing CPR on her, but, it still wouldn't work. My mom has hard time breathing.

Because of mom's accident, I'm not allowed to swim in the beach. Even if I were, I wouldn't. It would remind me of mother.

Well, I don't want to think about that since its five years now.

We've moved on- kinda.

Well, back to the lady with the golden hair.

She got hospitalized for a few hours.

We went back home and we rested.

Dad woke up early. Because of his noise, I woke up too.

"Dad, where 'you going?"

"Oh. I'm going to check up on the girl who had an accident yesterday." He said as he paused. "Just go back to sleep, okay? I'll be back in a few hours."

I didn't leave the house—at all. I was afraid that there was a kidnapper or something. I never trusted this village. It seemed so strange. I have weird friends. Yeah.

I looked at the clock.

Yep. That was a few hours alright. He left at 7 am.

Guess what time he came home?

10 pm. Not even close to just 'a few hours'.

When he came home, I was sitting in the couch as it faced the door.

"Why'd you stay up so late?"

"Oh, dad, I couldn't sleep without you. What took you so long?"

"I had to guard Claire."

"Claire?"

"That's the name of the lady yesterday."

"Dad, couldn't someone else guard her?"

"No one else volunteered."

"Oh, so it's voluntary work now." I said, sarcastically.

"I don't like the tone of voice you're using."

"Dad- I just don't like it when you come home late. I had nothing to eat the whole day."

"Didn't you go to the Inn? Ann was going to give you some food."

"What am I, a dog? Dad—I'm 10. I don't get fed by other people. I want food made by my parents. Or at least some food eaten WITH my parents."

"I'm sorry, okay?"

"-"

"I promise I'll come home early tomorrow."

"Oh, so you volunteered for tomorrow too." I replied, sarcastically still.

"Danny, I'm coming home early. I'll be home by lunch."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Tomorrow came.

His promise?

Was broken.

Thanks, dad. You did promise, right? Hahahaha. I'm so glad you came home at 11 pm.

I was sitting in the couch again. Waiting for him to come home. More promises, more excuses. It's been days already.

1 week passed.

My question: Dad, why'd you break your promise?

Dad: Eum—Uh, Claire needed me to get some things for her.

Then I ask him why does he keep making promises if he's not going to fulfill them.

His answer?

Because I know I'm going to do them some day.

I'm too afraid to tell him,

Dad, why do you prioritize this girl more than me? I'm your kid. She's just the girl you met a week ago. And guess what? You just stay with me 5 hours a day. Yeah—when you sleep.

When I wake up in the morning—He's not there.

When I stay up late in the night—I still can't catch up to him.

When can I see my dad? The only way I can see him if he comes home early or when I stay up the whole night.

I don't want to leave the house because there's nothing else to do.

I'm struggling to cook. I make my own food. I have to force myself into watching the cooking show. I practice and my food tastes like crap.

I'm getting better and better but I still feel bad for not having any parents to make my food or to eat my food WITH me.

2 weeks pass.

I'm struggling through the 3rd week. And hey, it got me thinking. Since it's the third week, isn't this Claire person supposed to be okay already?

Finally, for the 3 weeks Claire has been here, dad goes home early.

He came home at 7 pm. That was early for me because he usually came home at 3 am.

"Hey dad! You're early! Do you want to eat dinner with me? I made my own dinner. Well, I started from the last few days."

"No thanks. I've eaten out already. Um—son?"

"Yeah?" I sensed that something was going to go wrong. Like my life was going to get ruined.

He moved to the side, showing the person beside him.

It was Claire. The person who stole my family. My one and only father. My one and only family.

"Huh? What? I don't get it. Why is she here?" I looked at dad like I didn't know anything. He made his angry look which means he doesn't want me to talk like that. I continued it. I was realizing the anger I had stored inside.

"Claire's low on cash for the Inn so I'm letting her stay here. She's going to stay in your room."

He hasn't even informed me. I don't even know who she is.

I slept in the couch. Like a visitor. Thanks, dad. Thanks a lot.

He made me feel bad. He made me cry. I was the person who stayed with him for 10 years thought thick and thin. And now he treats me as if I just met him yesterday. Instead of letting me stay in my room and Claire stay outside, he lets the person he just met 3 weeks ago be replace by the one with him for 10 years.

I just wanted to warn the girl that I sleep walk or talk loudly at night.

I moved my things to the living room. Feeling sad and lonely, I fell asleep.

I thought about the things I should be happy about. At least dad won't leave anymore.

I fell asleep. Then, I sleepwalked. I entered my room. I kicked Claire.

She screamed with all her might, then, I woke up. Dad doesn't know that I sleep walk. I was too embarrassed to tell him.

Dad ran to the room. He shouted at me.

Since dad owns a farm from mom, he let me stay in the animal shed. I slept beside the cows.

He let me stay outside because Claire complained about me. She said that I "ATTACKED" her.

What am I? A boogy monster?

Heh. Well, let's just see what's up for me tomorrow.