SPOV

I walked to my front door and opened it.

"I'm home!" I called.

"Good, now why did you run off like that?" I heard a gruff voice say.

I spun around to face my step – father. He was wearing ripped, stained jeans and no shirt. His chest was extremely hairy.

"I didn't. Where's Mom?" I asked.

"Get the tool!" he screamed. "Now, bitch! Hurry up! Don't sit on your ass all day!"

I stood there, looking at him. "No! I won't put up with this anymore!"

"GET IT NOW BITCH!" He screamed.

I ran to the secret drawer and got it. I handed it to him and he lashed it. I wailed in pain and tears streamed down my face. He cackled and lashed the whip again. My arm throbbed in pain. It bled and blood trickled down my arm. It landed on the kitchen floor.

Suddenly, a band of police officers came rushing in through the door. One of the officers pointed a gun at my step –father. A medical team came to my attention. They bandaged my arm. Chad came running over to me. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"George Smithson, you are under arrest for child abuse and murder."

"Murder?" I squeaked.

"I'm sorry Miss Munroe, but he murdered your mother…"

"WHAT?" I choked out. I began to sob. I burrowed my head in Chad's chest and cried my eyes out.

He picked me up and carried me to his limo. Yes, he got a limo. He lay me on the seat and put my head on his lap. We rode back to his house and he put me in bed. Chad sat on my bed and held my hand. I lay my head on the pillow and remained silent. We sat there for a long time. In silence.

Finally Chad said, "I'm sorry Sonny. I didn't know. I'm sorry."

I looked at him. "It's not your fault. It's mine. I was afraid to face my fears and I let her die. I let her slip through my fingers like sand. I didn't even get to say goodbye."

"Sonny, it's not your fault. You did everything you could. You suffered for her for three years. She is very proud of you right now, wherever she is."

I nodded and looked at him. I knew he was right, but I didn't want to face the facts. I wanted to run away, but look where I had ended up.

A dead mom and dad and a criminal step – father. On the bright side I had Chad, but then again I had no place to live.

"I guess you're right Chad. If I don't face my fears, I'll end up like I am now." I smiled a weak smile at him. "But at least I have you." I added.

"Why don't you go to sleep now, Sonshine?" Chad suggested, covering me with a blanket.

I lay my head on the pillow and fell asleep.

Later that night…

I woke up to find myself lying on a bench in a small garden. A woman wearing a white robe and white moccasins sat next to me.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Sonny, it's me. I'm so sorry, honey."

"Sorry? For what? I let you die Mom!"

"Sonny, listen to me. It's not your fault, darling. It was my own mistakes. I was too blind to see what George really was. You put up with suffering for me for three years. You did it just to protect me, but I didn't protect you. I'm sorry Sonny. Please understand that I am truly sorry…"

"She's right you know." A voice I hadn't heard in years said.

"Dad!" I squealed and ran over to hug him.

"Hey Sonnybunny." He said, stroking my hair.

"Sonny, we are very proud of you. Don't blame yourself for something you didn't do. Also, stop living in the past. What's done is done, and you can't change it. But you can care for someone who cares about you a lot. That is what's important. Your mother and I will always be with you and watching you. Never forget that."

I hugged each of my parents and they walked away into the sunset together.