Ginny would always remember the time her father first hit her. It was burned into her mind, constant reminders hitting her like yet another blow to the temple. It wasn't something anyone would forget.
"Evie!" 6 year old Ginny had yelled across the room, bursting into giggles at the sight of her sister's expression. It was one of the rare times the young twins' had time to play, and have fun together, but their parents had gone out, so they had seized the opportunity happily.
Still giggling, Ginny had run across their tiny bedroom, which they shared together, and tackled her sister to the floor, pure delight etched across her innocent face, at the chance to laugh and simply be free. Evie shrieked loudly, covering her face with her hands, though the younger twin had been laughing too. Giggling together, they rolled over the wooden floor, not paying any attention to the hard material.
Quickly they both rolled onto their backs, staring up at the plain white ceiling above them, their hands holding the others' tightly, their childlike faces, for now, blissfully happy, and innocent.
"Ginny?" Evie spoke softly, her voice containing as much seriousness as a six year old could muster. "I think.." She started, before breaking into a grin, "Chu better run!" Quickly Ginny scrambled to stand up, laughing and shrieking at the same time, as her twin, her best friend came rolling towards her, fingers poised to start tickling. It was simple, and to some it might have seemed stupid, but messing with each other kept them entertained.
Their noise escalating, neither girl heard as the front door slammed, and steady footsteps made their way towards the small bedroom, until Ginny ran straight into her father's broad figure. "Daddy!" She exclaimed, her face falling for a moment, before lighting up again. At six, Ginny was still naive, still completely and wholly innocent. She loved her Daddy, despite all the rules and restrictions she was given. The girl simply assumed that's how things were.
"Daddy." The man mimicked his face screwing up as he put on a high voice. "What the hell do you two think you're doing with all this noise?" Frowning, Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but fell short as her father raised a hand, giving her a hefty slap to the face, causing the young girl to cry out, falling backwards. "Daddy!" She cried again, this time her tone full of surprise, and faint fear.
"Quiet, girl." came the hissed reply, as the man backed out of the room, gesturing for his oldest daughter to follow. Obediently, she clambered up, her lips parting in faint confusion, as she took a few steps towards her father, pausing only to shoot her gaze towards her twin, who was currently cowering in the corner of their room. Hidden. Evie was smarter than Ginny, understood how things were. And she was terrified of it.
Her small, innocent heart almost breaking as Ginny saw Evie's petrified face, the former forced herself to turn her gaze away, resisting the urge to run and comfort her sister. "Daddy?" The girl spoke again, her tone quizzical, but still strong, despite the slap, but the man's only response was to turn his back, heading down the long hallway towards his own bedroom. Confused, Ginny willingly followed him.
"Ginny!" A small cry called out, unheard to their father's ears. Her blue eyes wide, Ginny turned back towards her twin again, tilting her head as her sister spoke again, her voice only a small whisper. "Don't go Ginny. Don't go with him." "Evie?" Ginny asked. In truth she would be laughing if it were not for Evie's serious tone. What could be dangerous about their Daddy? He was just having a bad day. The younger six year old simply shook her head, her small frame trembling from where she sat crouched on the ground.
Pausing again, Ginny twisted round to see her father's door open, clearly waiting for her to follow. "It's just Daddy, silly!" She laughed, making her mind up in an instant. Leaving Evie behind, Ginny walked down the floor, before peeking her head round her father's door. "Hiya!" She said happily, with all the enthusiasm a six year old could have. Ginny truly was the picture of innocence. But that would change.
"Come here. I said come here!" Startled by her father's order, the small girl stumbled towards him, her head tilted. She opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by another slap to her face, stronger, harsher than before. Again she fell to the floor, a large red handprint already springing up on her normally pale cheek. Like most children would, she burst into tears, her wide eyes staring up at the man she always respected.