Thanks for those who did follow and favorite. This one is for you!
Same TW from Chapter 1.


Home.

It was a foreign concept to Emma. A home just isn't a house, it is a place to were you belong without a doubt or question. At the age of 4, she became a punching bag and meal ticket for the greedy bastards who circumvented the system. No matter how hard she tried, she was never enough and she believed it.

Unwanted. That she knew all too well. She never stayed in one place to make friends, to get to know her fosters or the others who were prisoned like her. She wanted to disappear.

Feeling the buzz from the liquor was a curse and a blessing. Emma wanted to stay in that limbo, but soon found her stomach growling and realized she forgot her snacks. Her random encounter through off her groove for the day. Pulling out a packaged bear claw and water, she ate and drank to ease her hunger to hold her over until dinner. The blonde threw the wrapper in the trash can and put her frazzled out hair in messy bun since the wind was picking up. Still early in the afternoon she decides what her plan is. Time to go back, she thinks to herself.

She made her way through the city block by block until she reached her destination, her foster's house. The husband and wife were decent to the public, but Emma knew all too well appearances don't mean shit. Mr. Wallace had a temper and would strike when the situation called for it, even something as not speaking up loudly or something he simply didn't like. His wife would dote on him as if he has done nothing wrong or find what they were doing unethical. Being in the system, you learn to play by the rules to get to next day and take what you can get, but amongst trying to survive you try not get caught. Knowing the mister and misses were away at work, the blonde went in the house to relax and maybe have another go with her gin.

Emma makes it to her upstairs bedroom and unpacks her spoils, making sure that the liquor had a proper place for safe keeping. Tossing her bag in a corner she makes her way downstairs to watch some tv and unwind. Shi-, the door clammers opens with Mr. Wallace making his way through with shouts and hollers; he doesn't pay attention to Emma or the sound the door makes crashing to the wall. Emma tenses and looks at him to make sure hasn't been spotted before she can start to ascend the stairs to her room, but she was seem.

"The fuck are you doing here?", tossing his jacket to the chair.

"Last period was gym and let out early", she lied and slowly liked away. She knew the smallest thing would blow up and wanted to avoid him at all cost.

"So what?! You come home with making any effort of doing dishes or minding the trash! You lazy piece of shit.", screaming to her. Advancing towards the bottom of the stairs, grabbed hold of her upper arm and dragged her down a few steps to the kitchen, shoving her towards the sink. Emma wraps her arms around herself closing her eyes for a moment.

"I just got back, there hasn't been enough time to do anything!" Apparently that was not the reaction he was looking for.

"Ungrateful bitch. You can't even appreciate the things we do for you and can't do anything right in return," exclaims before a sickening crack permeates the air. Emma hits hard on the dirty floor holding her cheek and jaw, she tries not cry out from the pain or look him in the eye. She knew this was a power play and was hoping it would be temporary. Too pissed off to deal with the blonde, Mr. Wallace made his way over to the sitting room and pouring himself a brandy.

Emma took this time to pull herself together, immediately noticing the bruising starting to form. She starts on the dishes and empties the garbage, finishing up her daily doings. After 20 minute have passed, Emma heads back to her room. Closing the door, Emma leans against it hoping the worst was over. She listens quietly to hear if he was rounding the staircase. After a few minutes, the gin is liberated and Emma drinks up a hearty amount before she is able to place it back to its sanctuary, distant footsteps creak louder.

Turning to the now opening door, Emma stashed the bottles as quickly as she can. Mr. Wallace is only seeing red and charges toward the scared blonde by knocking her down. "Stealing are we? Where did you get the bottle from?" Emma refused to answer. "ANSWER ME!" Nothing. Next thing Emma sees is the man towering over her with his belt in hand. Emma freezes and knows what is going to happen and shields her face from the blows. Belt in hand, he slings the buckle repeatedly against her. When the assault ends, Emma is marked with bruises across her body while in tears and attempts to stifle the sobs from coming out. "You will stay in this room and will not come out even for dinner. You need to know your place and I'm going to make sure you know it soon enough," he snarled as he left.

Emma closes her eyes and lays there. Uncurling herself from the floor she makes it to her bed and places her head between her knees trying to maintain a steady breath.

1.. 2.. 3..

1.. 2.. 3..

Emma lays back counting the same numbers as he breathing evens and falls asleep.

She wakes up to a dark room. She didn't think she was asleep for that long. 2:46 AM the clock shown. Emma closes her eyes and hears the most quiet household. Emma reaches in her pocket and pulls out the card with his information on it. She recalls every word he said to her, as it was ingrained in her mind. She holds on to that card for dear life thinking what she can do to help herself. Finally, after an hour of mindless thought, she finds a solution. She found her way out.

In the morning, Emma got ready and headed out the door. She didn't wait for the usual 8:30 am alarm. She left hours before. She didn't go to school, or leave a note for her fosters. Emma hitched a bus downtown to make milestones for herself. Holding her head high, she walked into the courthouse and filed the forms to emancipate herself. She would prove herself for the first time, she can do anything all because it started with her.