Chapter 1

"GIRL! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT GOING TO THE PARK!" Rose's father bellowed as he ran to the door as she walked in. Before she could say anything, he was coming toward her, removing his belt. She went for then nearest corner and tried to make herself as small as possible, hoping that he would leave, but he didn't. She closed her eyes becuase she knew what was coming.

All too soon, the belt was upon her. It felt like a flame upon her skin each time she was hit. After about five or six times, she couldn't take it anymore. She tried to move out of the way, but that caused the belt to hit her in head. She instantly felt the blood flowing. With that, she grabbed the belt. When she grabbed it, she yanked it out of her father's hand.

For a second, all he could do was look at her. She would grab the belt every once in a while, but it surprised him every time. He gathered himself quickly and then grabbed her by the hair. He pulled and she stood. He gave her a shove toward the kitchen.

"Get in there and make me and your mom some dinner. And you're going to bed without it!" he called after her.

What did I do? Every kid is suppose to go to the park. And I AM going to get dinner, Rose thought as she cooked. Before she set out the for her mom and dad, she went to the pantry for some of the food she hid there for when she got hungry. She shut the door and went to the cabinet for the plates. She set the table and went to the kitchen door.

"Mom, dad. It's time for dinner."

"You go straight to bed, you hear me?" her father asked in a stern voice.

"Yes, sir." Rose answered as she turned to go upstairs.

"You didn't eat anything, did you? It wouldn't be punishment if you ate something."

"Yes, sir, I know." Rose answered with her back to him, for she didn't want him to see the smile on her face.

"Go to bed. Now, Rose." her father said when she didn't comply immediatly.

"Yes, sir." Rose asnwered as she walked upstairs, the smile still on her face.

Upstairs, after Rose had finished the dinner she wasn't suppose to have, she was lying in her bed, thinking about the open wound on her head. She was sure her parents were done with dinner, and was wanting to talk to her mother. Her mother always told her stories that were fascinating to her. Her father always told her that her mother wasn't always all there, but Rose didn't care. She liked the stories. She loved her mother with all her heart. Rose knew her mother stayed up late, so she waited for a little while longer so that she knew her father would have gone to bed.

Rose tip-toed downstairs to the living room where her mother sat in her favorite chair. She looked more focused tonight. Rose thought her mother was in the best of moods when she didn't seem so sleepy.

"Mom?"

Claudia jupmed and looked at Rose. Rose looked just alike. Long, beautiful black hair, large blue eyes, and fair-colored skin. Rose also had a great power sleeping within her, Claudia could feel it.

"Yes, Rose?" She answered.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure. Come sit next to me." Claudia invited, patting the chair on her right. "What is it you want to talk about, honey?"

"Daddy hit me," Rose said quickly, "and made me bleed."

"He what?" Claudia asked, alarmed. "Rose, let me see where daddy hit you." Rose showed her mother the gash that the belt had made on her.

"Rose, I want to ask you something."

"Ok, mom."

"Do you want to get away from daddy?"

"Do you mean it?" Rose asked, a glimmer in her eye. It was then that Claudia realized that Rose hated her father. Even though Claudia was never abused, she could see why Rose hated her father. Claudia never thought that John would do that.

"Rose, I think we might be leaving."

"What? We are?"

"Yes. Are you up to a long car ride?"

"Anything to get away from him, mom. I just don't want to get hit anymore."

"I understand."

"Are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Why not now? Go get your suitcase packed and we'll leave when we're both ready, ok?"

"Ok." Rose said as she jumped up and walked to the door. She got there and turned around.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Where will we go?"

"I think I know. Just go get packed."

"Ok." Rose answered as she turned and went back upstairs.