I hid in my closet, whimpering slightly. I covered my mouth and attempted to stop breathing. My breathing came out in harsh puffs through my little nose. I desperately tried to block out the noises from the other room. Flesh hitting flesh, muffled screams and sobs, begging for him to stop. I gave a nearly silent sob of my own, wishing he would just stop. She didn't deserve this, neither of us did.

Finally, after what seemed to be forever, the noises ended. My tears continued to stream down my face as I waited for him to look for me. It was the same every time he was drunk, which seemed to be nearly every night now. I prayed, as I did every time, that this would be the time he didn't find me and instead would be taken away forever, never to hurt me or mummy ever again.

But alas, it seemed it would not be the time. The door slammed open, and I thought numbly, another hiding place ruined. He sneered, an awful face, as he roughly yanked me up and dragged me down the hall. I glanced slightly at my unconscious mum before looking away. She was tied to a bed post and covered in nothing but her blood.

I tried to blank my mind as he began his torture, telling me what a good slut I would be when I was older. I concentrated my mind on the memory of when he was my caring, loving father. I desperately held onto that image, almost floating away from my overly abused body. But I was abruptly dragged back to reality when he stopped.

I looked at him fearfully. Something was different, he was changing the usual way. And change isn't good. Whenever something changes, something bad happens. He was looking to the window, as if listening to something. I tried to hear it, but nothing came to me, it was like every other peaceful night, an immense contrast to the inside of this house.

A moment later he was dragging me and my mother to a closet in the hall. He locked the door with the promise that if he heard anything he would kill mummy. I fearfully nodded, even after he left and the door was closed. I listened closely as I heard him talk to the men below.

"Good Evening Sir. We are the police. We had some of your neighbors complaining that they heard screaming coming from your house. Could you possibly help us and clear up this mess?" He sounded truly nice and as if he genuinely wanted to clear this all up. I couldn't stop the feeling of hope that welled up in my chest, maybe he would save me and mummy.

"I'm sorry to say, but I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about." He sounded sad. I froze in fear, what was he doing? "I thought I was the only one to hear the screams…maybe I'm not losing my mind." I could almost see the officers surprised look. I shivered in anticipation, covering my mouth as a whimper tried to escape.

"I'm sorry, but what are you speaking of?"

"You see, my wife and little baby girl, she was only six years old, died in a car accident a little of a year ago. I couldn't even change their rooms." I heard him start to sob, speaking incoherently. No! What is he doing?! Me and mummy were suppose to finally be free today! No, don't say good bye! Don't apologize! He's lying!

I thought this desperately as the officers walked away. I wanted to yell out my thoughts, but I was to afraid of the consequences. I shivered as I heard a low, evil laughter. It echoed up the stairs as the source drew closer. I couldn't suppress the whimper as the door was thrown open. I stared up into the once warm eyes of my father, now filled with cold hatred.

I was once again dragged to my fathers room, my mother left behind. The torture was resumed, he was more vicious in the hits than before. He seemed to execute them with almost reverent air about him. This frightened me, he looked as if he needed this.

I looked to the window, wishing the officers back. But I knew they wouldn't come back. And I knew this wouldn't be the only time my father lied to them. I also knew this wouldn't be the last I would hide my wounds. I once more concentrated on my old image of my loving family, floating from my broken body, wishing someone out there would save from this hell.

"Sleep now Hermione, we will continue this when you are able to stay awake, you weak little bitch." Those words, spoken with such hate and malice, were the last things I heard that night.