"The more I feel
The more I die
Nothing to give
Nothing inside
Everything I touch I break
I scratch and tear
Until it bleeds
I do not want
I only need
Everything I touch I break
I want to break you
Everything I touch I break
And I'll break you down"

"Daddy?" I questioned. I had always wondered if my father would actually show up for dinner. I waited for his reply with my breath held deep in my little lungs. He never turned, never looked at me, only continued with his work. "Daddy?"

I asked again, more insistant.

He started and instinctively slumped his shoulders against the weight of my need; his personal burden. "Not tonight, Rei-chan. I've work to do. Now get ready to go home, you've got to pack tonight for your grandfather's."

I had to pack? I had to pack. My belongings were all packed up already, so there was nothing left to do. He was shrugging me off. My mother shrugged me off onto him, and now he was shrugging me off onto my grandfather. I couldn't wait to see who I got pawned off on next.

Rather than argue, I assumed an air of submissiveness, and replied, "Yes, father." His shoulders slumped even more. I couldn't honestly say why.

So I readied my schoolbooks and coat, and went to the elevators outside my father's office. He was currently running for some political office or another.

I can say I really cared.

I descended, and met the chauffeur outside, who promptly opened the door for me. Once inside, I allowed a tear, then sniffled it away as the man sat in the driver's seat. He gazed sadly at me for a moment in the rearview, shook his head, and started the car. We made our way to my father's estate in silence.

"Grandfather!" I cried as I ran up the remaining stairs to the shrine. I hadn't seen my grandpa in a couple years now, and my father wouldn't give me a reason. Grandpa hugged me and ushered me inside, where he sent me to the kitchen with his apprentice to eat. He closed the door partway and met my father at the entrance of the shrine. I peeked through the partially open doorway to listen.

"So you can no longer bear the pain of knowing you killed my daughter," my grandfather started. "So you take your child, your only living memory, and push her so far away. Do you not see her pain?"

My father rubbed his hand through his hair in agitation and looked at the floor in chagrin. "I would really appreciate it if-"

"I'm sure you would. Your ego can't take it anymore. Your politics won't allow a single father. Forget your daughter, she never existed. You wouldn't allow it. I'll see to her needs now."

Rather than argue, my father nodded in defeat and gave my grandfather information. "She'll be attending catholic school during the day, only due to the course load. They'll challenge her. I'll send money every month, and pay the tuition of course. If there's any other necessities that arise-"

"There won't be. Your role has been sufficient. Now leave." I had never seen my grandfather be so defensive. Of me, no less. My father wouldn't put up a fight on sacred ground, even if he didn't practice the religion. So he just left. No 'Goodbye Rei-chan, be good.' He just left.

I watched my grandfather's back heave in a sigh before he began to turn.

I ducked back into the kitchen and began to nosh my snack. Grandfather entered with a fake smile plastered on his face.

This was the second time in my life I had broken a life with my little inexperienced fingers. I could never atone for this.

Oooooooh yeah, this one's short. I pretty much just formatted this into rtf. It was txt. The story gets more interesting. These first two chapters are for you, dear reader, to see what an asshole her father is.