Trigger Warning: This chapter has a graphic depiction of violence against a minor. So please don't read it if you suffer from PTSD or panic attacks.
Special thanks to my beta, Frannie (Fran S. Flower), and my pre-reader, Angela (AngelaAbbot) for the way they have carried this story and made it what it is.
Loads of thanks and love to all the lovely readers who have reviewed and favorited this story. You all are Rockstars!
Chapter 31
'My demons,
Though quiet,
Are never quite silenced.
Calm as they may be,
They wait patiently
For a reason to wake,
Take an overdue breath,
And crawl back to my ear.'
-Sarah Boswell
The woman stumbled, taking a generous swig of amber liquid.
Her shoulder bumped the open panel, banging the cupboard shut.
"Oh, my poor baby, feeling so cold!"
"Momma, please," The girl whimpered, clutching a threadbare blanket to her bony frame. Frantically, she scooted against the wall, ignoring the protests of her tender ribs and bruised muscles.
"Please, I'm sorry. I only wanted a- Aah!" She shrieked as she was yanked up by her hair and flung across the room.
"Forgive me, Isa. Your momma can be quite clumsy at times."
Blood pounded in her ears and filled her mouth. Heart seizing in her throat, she steepled her fingers, begging for mercy from her drunk assailant.
"Momma, please don't. I promise I'll never take-" Her head whipped to side with the force of the blow, robbing her of the fledgling hope.
Resigned, she shielded her head, steeled for what was to come, making the older woman chuckled.
"Very good, Isa. Now we're getting all warmed up, aren't we?"
The mocking cackle prefaced the sibilant hiss of leather striking flesh …
Through the cobweb of waning consciousness and ghostly pain, Bella thought she heard a woman's wrenching sobs.
"But I only wanted to give her a blanket. Dear God, I only wanted to give her a blanket!"
Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter. The next chapter will be up on Monday where we will deal with the aftermath of Bella's panic attack.
Until next time!
Love,
Ansha