Authors Note: Wow, not many reviews yet, but I hope you guys still enjoyed it regardless.This chapter is a bit harsh so bear with it. Enjoy!
Claudia walked inside her house. She wasn't sure if her father was in a good mood or a very bad mood. She walked quietly into the kitchen. She tried to make as little noise as possible to not alarm him. She began placing the food in her bag, into the fridge. She made a beautiful arrangement out of the fruits. She still felt sticky so she took a shower quickly. She walked back down into the kitchen to get some grapes. "Claudia!" yelled her father's voice.
"Yes father?" She replied shakily.
"Do you realize how long you've taken?" He grumbled.
She began to feel herself become nervous. He walked into the kitchen to look at his terrified daughter. "You are fifteen minutes late. Do you know how angry that makes me Claudia?" He asked her.
She shivered knowing what he was about to do. She knew she was going to feel pain today. "I'm sorry father-" Claudia began.
"God will never respect those who show up late. I am your father, how do you think that makes me feel?" He grumbled.
"But-"
"Answer me you little bitch!" He yelled.
"It makes you f-feel… Angry." Claudia replied.
"What is the rule of making a father angry?"
"I must be… punished." She shook.
"Yes. You must." He yelled.
He picked her up by her long blond hair. He drug her into the living room. He placed her sitting, facing the wall. He picked up the bible he was entitled to read as priest of the order. He flipped through a few pages and forced her to read out loud. "This chapter is about children like you. Those who don't appreciate what the goddess is here to bring us all. Read it!" He yelled as he took off his belt.
She whimpered but didn't disobey. "The holy mother was furious with the children of the earth. They destroyed her earth, her water, her air, light and even time. She believed the sinners had to pay." Claudia began to translate the thick religious words into simple sentences she could say.
Her father whacked her hard on the back of the shoulder with his belt. It felt like a whip made of steel. It dug a scar into her back. She began to bleed. "You have no respect for the goddess. You won't even read her words without this childish subtext!" He yelled as he whacked her again over the previous scar.
Claudia screamed with the pain. Claudia felt her eyes roll into the back of her head with the sting. Leonard whacked her five consecutive times without a pause. Her back was burning with pain. She felt as though hell itself climbed onto her shoulders to make itself home. She shrieked with anguish. She knew she couldn't end it. She rolled away and cowered in the corner of the room. "I know, I've learned my lesson! I won't do it again!"
"No Claudia, you will take the punishment earned. No child may anger their father without consequences. You're going to pay." He yelled.
He slapped her face hard. She felt her teeth scrap her cheek. Blood began to pour from her lips. Her tears that slide rapidly from her eyes mingled with the blood on her lips. Before she could breathe a breath of relief, he kicked her stomach once, but hard enough to be five times. She rolled onto her side and began to sob. He picked her up by her hair and looked at her tear soaked eyes. "You always were pathetic." He rubbed in.
Claudia lay there, curled up on the floor. She was waiting for the pain to end. She couldn't move to her room until it stopped. It was another typical day she thought. Another typical day in the house hold of Leonard Wolf. Leonard threw the bible from the other end of the room at her. It landed in front of her face. "You'll want to read that. You're going to join the cult at the starting of your high school year. I want my daughter to run this cult; I want the goddess to be proud." He smirked.
Claudia coughed slightly but didn't make a move to go to her room. She eventually relaxed her body. She prayed for the pain to end. She thanked the goddess and slowly, picked herself up. She carried the heavy book up the stairs with her. She wobbled all the way to the top. She crawled to her door. The blood and tears made the floor slippery, but she managed well.
She placed the bible on the table next to her bed. She decided to sleep. She wanted to recover before doing anything. She took off her shirt. It was dotted in blood from her hands and shoulders. She took off her mothers beautiful skirt and tossed it lazily into the pile of dirty clothes. She dropped her weak body onto her bed and grabbed the covers. She wanted to run. She wanted to be free. She wished for one day of happiness. She wished for someone to love her. She wished they would show her, she could be happy. She wanted a lot, considering she was only fourteen. She closed her tired eyes and began to dream. She woke up a few hours later still in pain. After a short rest her body felt in even more pain. She decided that the pain was bearable to walk in. She slowly got up and made her way to her closet. She put on an easy to do up dress. She made her way down the stairs. She tumbled down the last step. "Where are you going?" Leonard asked from the kitchen table.
"May I go to Alessa's house?" She asked.
"Be back to make dinner." He replied.
She didn't say another word. She walked outside without shoes as usual. She walked down the street and tried to avoid anyone from school. She was afraid to get hurt psychically or emotionally again. She was pleased that Alessa only live down the street from her. She didn't have too far to walk. She paced fast as she reached the house. She walked onto the beautiful porch. She knocked three times and waited for Alessa or Dahlia to answer. "Claudia. What are you doing here?" Alessa asked answering the door.
Claudia looked into the deep, dark eyes of her best friend and began to cry. Alessa walked over to hug her. "Oh, no. Did He hurt you again?" Alessa asked her sobbing friend.
She stroked Claudia's long hair that lay on her back. "Ah!" Claudia screeched as Alessa's palm rubbed one of her sore spots.
"Is it your back?"
Claudia nodded. Alessa took her pale hand and led her into the house. Alessa sat Claudia down at a chair. Alessa poured her a warm glass of milk to relax. "Here. Drink this, you'll feel much better." Alessa assured her.
Claudia gulped it all down fast as though someone had deprived her of fluid. Alessa took a cloth and began to wash Claudia's back. She flinched at the sight. The bruises seemed black, and the cuts deep. She laid the warm cloth over Claudia's back. It felt better to Claudia. Alessa placed her hands on Claudia's cuts. She closed her eyes. Claudia felt the pain disappear. Claudia smiled when Alessa came into view again. "Thank you. I feel much better." Claudia smiled.
"You don't have to thank me. We're like sisters. I'd do anything for you little sister." Alessa smiled.
Claudia smiled back. "Claudia Wolf." Dahlias voice rang out in an eerie way.
Claudia and Alessa both looked at her. "Will you be staying for dinner, or will you be leaving?" Dahlia asked.
"I came to visit. I can't stay." Claudia explained.
"Well my dear, you are welcome here anytime. My heart has plenty of space for you little one." Dahlia smiled.
Claudia felt relieved. She'd always thought of Dahlia as a mother figure in her life. "My father tells me you are joining the church this fall." Dahlia commented.
"That's right." Claudia replied as Alessa winced at the sound of the church.
"I hope to see you do wonders in that church. You and another young boy are joining. This one is from England. He is bound to show respect to us. He's very inquisitive I hear." Dahlia explained.
"Oh, you girls don't want to hear me ramble on. Go play with your toys." Dahlia encouraged.
Alessa and Claudia made their way up to Alessa's room. "You are a very lucky girl. Your mom is so nice." Claudia said enviously.
"She only does that when you're around. She loves you more than me." Alessa said to her best friend.
"Do you want to play a game of go fish?" Alessa asked holding up her cards that were previously scattered about the corner of her room.
"Yes." Claudia grinned.
"Do you know anything about the new boy at the church?" Claudia asked.
"I've met him once. He seems like us. Kids pick on him. He also loves books." Alessa told Claudia.
"So you've talked to him before?" Claudia asked.
"No, I can pick up on his thoughts and feelings." Alessa reminded her.
"What does he look like?" Claudia asked.
"Are you looking for a boyfriend, Claudia?" Alessa teased.
"No." Claudia went slightly pink. "Never mind Alessa, I want to start playing the game before I have to go home." Claudia decided.
"Ok, I'll deal first." Alessa decided.