This chapter is going to be mainly only Sophia's past. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time, I had to struggle with a new school and then I got really sick...I'm still sick though. Don't worry, it isn't Corona but I'm kinda really miserable and have constant headaches. I also broke my leg. Yeah, it's been a blast.

* This chapter has self harm motivations, there will be a specific warning at the place. *

I barely managed to avoid an awful beating from Gabe last night, sucking up for a little while. Mom hadn't come home at all yesterday and I didn't find her in the kitchen, adorning her beautiful smile, holding some blue pancakes. I yawned and looked around again, tired from a night filled with silent terrors.

I frowned as I remembered the hateful glances she would cast my way when she thought I wasn't looking. I didn't understand why, though in a way, I think I knew.

My mother used to be a beautifully kind and caring woman, who loved me unconditionally and was the focal point and light to my world. She was the person I used to take pain for, stole food for, earned money from summer jobs like selling lemonade in the hot sun or walking people's dogs. She was my knight in shining armour, my to.

I guess she realized how worthless and dumb I am.

My world was slowly crumbling away, but it hurt slightly less than I thought it would. It felt like the world was falling around me, almost like a curtain, revealing me the truth of family and love, slowly chipping away my pain. But she was right to hate me. I was just a brat she was unfortunate enough to have, a vile child that she had to work for, instead of living her life.

Holding back my tears, I began preparing some breakfast for myself and Gabe, because he might shout and become scary if I don't. I aimlessly stared at the window overlooking a grungy neighbourhood, a road filled with traffic, a blue-eyed man reading the paper, a little girl dragging her mother to a shop nearby. The scene brought a pang of pain and jealousy to me, though I knew that I had to be better than this. I would not let this overcome me.

I was the Daughter of Poseidon, and I had survived more than this.

I took my backpack and left, planning on spending the day anywhere away from this hellhole.

I sat on the edge of the ocean, lightly dipping my feet in the cool, aquamarine waters. I was at an undiscovered part of a beach in Queens, protected by a convenient outcropping of rock and trees. It was my sanctuary, my haven from life and the adversities and pain it throws my way.

I took out a small bronze dagger that had been in my possession for a long time, and stared at my reflection in it.

A little girl's face stared back at me, her lips downturned, an aspect of sadness and pain enveloping her features, ones that were so frequently belied. Her face portrayed pain, but her eyes, oh her eyes. Adored by everyone for their beauty and eccentricity, protected by walls built by lies and torment-an enigma on it's own, for it rarely revealed anything.

But the girl's eyes were laid bare for her to discern, to descry the true extent of what her features said.

(Self Harm and suicidal tendencies warning. There'll be another warning when the part finishes)

It told a tale of suffering, terror, pain, rejections, most of all, the eyes begged silently with her. They begged her to end the pain, a simple slice, a fragment of pain, and then, and then, an eternity of peace.

Or perhaps she was concerned about her new family's reaction? Make it look like an accident. Trip into the path of an oncoming train, or teeter playfully off a high building 'slip' and fall.

Afraid of the pain? Poison was easily found. Or a medical overdose.

Afraid of getting caught? Do it at night, when Gabe and Mom are away, in a closet or preferably at a place where she would be found later.

Afraid of Mom's reaction? She doesn't care anyways.

For each question I raised to plead her case against the end, my pain had an answer.

What are you waiting for? It seemed to whisper. Your decision is all that stands between everlasting peace and a past, present and future filled with pain. This world had nothing to offer you, you were a mistake, a blunder of your parents.

Gabe said so.

But…

Reality and fantasy seemed to blend with me surroundings, dreams and hopes once crushed, merged and crashed around me. I tried to stop my tears, clutching the knife to my wrist and slowly lowered my trembling hand.

Pressing deliberately, I watched hypnotized as a line of scarlet leaked out of the perfectly cut line.

It wasn't deep enough, not nearly, but it was sufficient.

The pain brought me back with it's familiarity and ache. I drew another line, then another, then another. Four identical lines spilling blood stood stark against my skin, contrasting vastly. I chuckled darkly, marveling how pain had become so familiar to me.

I cherished it, for a change.

I could almost imagine that I was Anakin Skywalker, in another reckless mission with an improvised plan, trying to bring down Separatists in…. Ryloth! (I'm kinda binging the Clone wars right now, and I love it!) A Droid got a lucky shot on my wrist, but I ignored it and kept going. That's what he would do right?

Yeah.

I opened my eyes with a slight smile and placed my hand on the water, healing it.

(Yeah, it's done.)

The water in front of me swirled to form the figure of my father- The Greek God of the Seas. He approached me slowly, a worried and anxious look in his eyes. My Dad wore a hideous hawaiian shirt- with pink flamingos dancing around- and khaki shorts.

"Hi Dad." I said, hurriedly wiping my tears away.

"Daughter! What is wrong my little sea star? Why are you crying?" My father asked, worried and slightly panicked. He kneeled down and herded me into his arms, holding me protectively as he sat on the soft sand.

I tucked my head into his shoulder, and felt a warm and comforting power covering me, soothing my frayed nerves and shattered heart. I felt his hand card through my hair, caressing them slowly- calming me completely.

I realized that this sensation was familiar to me too.

Somewhere, deep inside me, something hummed with recognition, promising safety and love. I could feel my walls crumbling, slowly and tenderly brought down by his overwhelming love.

"Dad?" I asked, hating the way my voice trembled and cracked. I was stronger than this. I was raised to never show weakness in front of adults.

"Yes, Sophie?" My father asked, his voice indefinitely gentle. I vaguely smiled at the nickname, and marveled at how close I felt to my father- when I had just met him a few days ago.

"Does Mom hate me?" I asked, looking up at my dad. He didn't meet my eyes, only stared at the sea.

Sighing tiredly, he looked at me tenderly. The first wall of defence had been broken.

"No, dear Sophie. I don't think that Sally can ever hate you, sea star. She…...Is just going through something I suppose." He said reluctantly, stroking my hair. I frowned, worrying about my mother's wellbeing.

"Why? What's wrong with her? Did I do something wrong Daddy?" I asked, looking up at him once again.

"No, little one. You never did anything wrong. It was Sally that made a mistake, and you mustn't ever apologize over it. Alright?" He said, holding me tighter.

I nodded mutely into his shoulder, just enjoying the comfort and safety his presence brought me. It had been a long time since I felt like this with an adult. I knew I should withdraw, protect myself from the beating that was inevitably going to come, but. . . . . . . . I didn't want to either.

I wanted to know him, spend time with my dad, and I wanted him to teach me. . . . I- I wanted a parent.

We sat in comfortable silence, and I was still in his embrace, which palliated the pain in my heart that seems to be incessant these days. My uncles or aunts unfortunately couldn't make it today, it seems they needed to work.

"Little sea star?" My dad asked, disrupting the calm atmosphere.

"Yes dad?"

"Shall we sail today?" He asked, looking at me with a strange grin. My eyebrows furrowed in thought, nose scrunching together.

"Um….. I don't know how to sail dad." She admitted.

Her father chuckled, and tugged her toward a boat which I was sure wasn't there a moment ago. I smiled with amusement as my father literally bounced with excitement.

The sailing boat was a pristine white, with dark blue highlights here and there. In the bow of the boat, written in gold lettering was the name Sea Belle.

"Is that her name? Sea Belle?" I asked, to which my father nodded.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the boat.

For a moment, it felt like a normal boat.

Then, I felt a warm sensation coarse through me, shrouding me in affection and protectiveness. I instantly knew what I should do to get her moving, I could feel every part of the boat, what was in each area- there seemed to be a large space beneath the ship. . . . . . .Enchanted to be bigger on the inside maybe?

"She was made for you, little sea star. You will be safe here, if you ever want to escape. Do you like it?" He asked hesitantly, to which I answered with a huge hug. I whispered 'thank you' over and over again.

He chuckled warmly, looking at me with a loving expression before setting me down.

After that, me and my dad went sailing for a while, not returning until the sun had almost set.

My Uncles and Aunts, and Father, would visit me often, but my father and uncles the most. I would sneak away in the morning, after making Gabe breakfast since Mom stopped turning up in the mornings. . . .

We would go to places, mostly the beach, and we would play around in the sand, sometimes they would scold me for doing something wrong, though I never felt threatened or scared, just warm and loved. I think, out of all of my family, my Father and my Uncles were the ones I loved most, their tender expressions and bear hugs and gentle teasing easing my heart and the pain it always seemed to carry.

I finally had a family.