CHAPTER 1
Writen by collstudentelle - (a freelance writer from Fiverr)
We will be posting more soon. We have chapters 5-7 written with almost 7k words down already this however it's only installment 2. We will be having between 5-10 installments :) Hope you enjoy!
There was a beautiful golden hue all over Retroville as the sun was already setting. Families were walking around the park, people driving their cars to their homes, and friends were hanging out with each other.
Everyone was filled with happiness and households were filled with peace. All except a single house where the Vortex family lives. To everyone outside, they appeared as a perfect and happy family. But no one knows the darkness that is happening inside the walls.
"I knew you have always been dumb, but I can't believe you are stupid to this extent!" A beautiful woman was berating her daughter, Cindy, who had just arrived from school.
The ache grew in Cindy's heart as she listened to her mom berating her with hurtful words. After years of living in her cold and abusive home, one would think the blonde was already used to it and numb. But every now and then, the young teen's confidence, sense of self, and mental state would waver at the abuse her mother would dish out.
"You told me you have studied for this week's test! Then why does that kid Neutron have a better score than you?!" Cindy's mom screamed as she glared at her daughter.
Seeing how silent her daughter was, Sasha Vortex slapped her daughter's face as hard as she could. The force of the hit caused Cindy to fall on the floor. "I expected you to be the top in your class! Do you know how embarrassed I was with my friends at lunch when I found out you were only second?!"
Cindy's hand went straight to touch her throbbing cheek. With teary eyes, she glanced at her father who was sitting on the couch facing the television. Their eyes met for a second until her father silently looked away, leaving her under the mercy of her mother's anger.
It was always like this. No matter what she did, Cindy can never satisfy her mother's wishes to be the best and excel in everything. Looks, social circle, talents, grades, and reputation.
Be the best and not second to any.
This had been drilled to her ever since she was a young child. And if she would produce a subpar result, her punishment would always hurt to remind her of her mistakes.
When she was young, it started with being locked in her room and having no dinner. But as she grew older, it developed into verbal abuse until bruises and small wounds were littered in her body.
Taking a deep breath, Cindy spoke to defend herself. "It was only one point, mom-" she wasn't able to finish her sentence when she was kicked in the center of her torso. "Ah!" Cindy yelled as she bent over. She was gasping in pain as her insides burned from the kick. She knew that a bruise would be forming tomorrow on the spot.
"I don't want your excuses! I don't care if it's just one point or even a decimal! As a Vortex, you were supposed to be the best!" Her mother's screech made Cindy's ears hurt but her focus was still on the pain in her stomach.
Despite seeing the hurting and trembling figure of her daughter on the floor, Sasha didn't care and walked away. "Get up and go to your room. You look pathetic."
Cindy didn't need to be told twice as she stumbled away from the living room and went straight to her room. When she entered her room, she immediately stood in front of her mirror and raised her shirt a little.
A gasp rang in the room as she saw a bruise forming in the middle of her stomach. Cindy's lips trembled as she saw all the marks her mother had made in the past years on her body,
Tears started to form in her eyes as she remembered the nights she stayed up late and studied just so she could get the highest score. All her effort was ignored and she still was hit in the end. Remembering how her father had ignored her silent pleas for help, Cindy trembled at the hurt and betrayal that she felt.
The sound of thunder and heavy wind outside her room made Cindy turn to look at her window. It was already getting dark, but the young teen didn't want to stay inside her house any longer.
She felt lost, alone, and overwhelmed. She knew she had to get out.
Cindy put on her favorite hoodie and opened her window as quiet as she could. Her heart was beating fast at the thought of getting caught by her mom. She climbed out of her window before looking round the area cautiously. After checking that no one was there, Cindy sprinted towards the park.
Since it was already night and the rain was pouring hard, Cindy felt cold. I hate this feeling. Why can't I be perfect? This wouldn't have happened if I had just done everything right. Cindy thought as she ran.
With the rain around her, she could cry with privacy and spend her time alone. Tears were streaming down her face but the raindrops that fell on her face had masked her tears. Cindy was too focused on her emotions and the path she was going to realize that someone had seen her sorry state.
James Isaac Neutron, who everyone calls Jimmy, was walking back to his house under the rain. He had just left the lab for the night. Ahhh… I hope I can finish the machine tomorrow. Jimmy thought to himself.
As he got closer to his house, he saw a silhouette across him that was standing in the middle of the street. "Huh, I wonder who's that." Jimmy squinted his eyes. The person seems familiar.
Feeling that something was wrong, Jimmy followed the person who was heading towards the park. Heading to the park in this thunderstorm? Jimmy thought with incredulity. He was a few meters away from the person when he saw the face of the individual he was following.
His brows furrowed, "Vortex?" Cindy had a solemn look on her face as she stared at the tree in front of her.
Feeling worried for the stubborn girl, Jimmy walked towards her silently. Is she alright? It looks like she was crying.
