AGAINST ALL ODDS.

Inhuman father

Liv's home is small,old and barely holding together.The roof leaks when it rains and the walls have cracks from years of neglect.The place smells of dump wood and floorboards creaks with every step.Despite its poor condition Liv and her family have made it as comfortable as possible.

Her mother thought overworked keeps the house clean.A faded curtain separates a tiny kitchen from the sleeping area where a single mattress is shared between Milan and Liv.There father ,when he is home usually occupies the worn out chair in the house drowning himself in alcohol.

Liv wakes up every morning to fetch water from a distant well because they cannot afford tap water it's very expensive and then she prepares something ,anything for Milan to eat before she goes out to look for work.She dreams of the day she can take them away from this place ,to some where safe and warm,where they could not sleep hungry or fear there fathers sudden drunken outbursts.

...........

The small house was unusually warm, the sent of cheap soup lingering in the air.Milan sat close to his mothet ,his fingers still weak from yhe hospital stay.His eyes,however sparkeled with relief.They were home-safe for now.

Liv took a deep breath as she placed the heavy bag on the rickety wooden table.Her hands trembled slightly as she unzipped it,reviling the neatly stacked bundle of cash inside. The sight of it took her breath away.Even though she had already seen it once.

Her mother gasped covering her mouth with both hands,"Oh my lord" she whispered.

Miss Harper let out a little shriek of joy"Where did you get all of this child?"She asked grabbing a bundle rubbing her fingers over the crisp bills.

Liv hesitated a second before answering"A man..the one who helped milan at the hospital gave me this."

She explained the whole incident to her mother but purposely left out the part where she had to repay because she knew her mother wouldn't agree.She had been thinking for the past few days if she needs to return the money or not but in the end she decided not to because in the end she has to pay for it and her family is really in need of that money.Right now they needed this joy this moment of hope.

Tears filled her mothers tired eyes as she pulled Liv and milan into a tight embrace."We can finally leave this place...and start over"

Mrs Harper clapped her hands together her joy almost infectious"This is a miracle!A true blessing."

But as happiness started to settle ,a loud bang echoed through the house. The door swung open ,crushing against the fragile wall.

Harper.

Drunk ,swaying and reeking of alcohol,he stepped inside ,his blood shot eyes scanning the room.His expression twisted when he saw there mother.Without a word he lunged at her,delivering a hard slap across her face.She stumbled back,crying out in pain.

"Where the hell have you been?"he roared .

Liv jumped infront of her mother,

"Stop it leave her alone."

The answer came inform of a hot slap across her cheek.The force sent her staggering backwards,her face stinging as tears welled up in her eyes.

Then he saw it :the bag.

Milan clutched it tightly,his small arms wrapping around it as if sensing the danger.Harpers eyes widened and then darkened with greed,"What's that?"

Nothing Liv shouted stepping closer to block him.

But she was to slow.

He grabbed Milan by the wrist and yanked the bag ,shoving Liv aside. She stumbled backwards hitting the rusted stove.The sharp edge cut into het back ,and before she could react pain exploded in her skull.Her vision blurred ,Then went dark as she collapsed to the floor.

Harper reaped open the bag.For a moment of silence filled the room,then laughter.

Low,raspy ,filled with madness.

"Money..." he whispered greedly running his fingers through the stacks."soo much money..."

His face twisted into a grin.He didn't see his crying wife.He didn't see Milan trembling on fear ,he saw only saw the cash.

All he could think about was gambling.