By the moon, I swear

CHAPTER 1 ‘Get away from me you filthy pig,’ she shouted gripping the knife on her hand tighter. He was a filthy squandrel interested in nothing but everyone’s misery. How she could stand him was even a bigger mystery to her but then again she got to do what she got to do. Amber had joined the family at the age of four glad to have been adopted from the orphanage sad that shell miss her friends but thrilled that she was lucky enough to be considered. Not many people got adopted at her age. Most parents preferred infants to the age of three. Those that they can nurture to their will. The twins’ candy and Candela were adopted years later when she was fourteen years old and they infants. By then life had taught Amber a lot both its good and bad. Well, Mostly bad. A year later after adoption Amber was crowned the official house rag of the family. Apart from doing all the chores, occasionally she would be spat on, hit without a reason, shouted at, used to steal drugs and she did it all without complains. Her new mum who was more humane than the husband by an inch made sure her stomach never complained. At least she fed her once a day no matter how high she was from the drugs she consumed on hourly basis. The woman’s body was literally an overstocked chemist on its own and with more into the years she gradually drew dependent on the drugs. The husband treated her bad, mostly like a punching bag before he moved on ahead to Amber but the woman never left. At first Amber thought it was the love she felt for him but the woman spat nothing but venom whenever she saw the drunken i***t in front of her and even kicked a few punches of her own. Then her nativity led her to believe that it was the love the woman felt for her that made her stay but that mistake as long corrected when the woman suggested her as a whipping glad to her husband whenever he was angry. Go figure it was time for her to be enrolled into the family tradition. Orphanage was a non-option for her. It was far from where they lived and most of the ride into the city she had slept through. Running away out of the picture. Her dad to the outward world he was a man of the people. A man leading the flock back to the lord with a beautiful respectable wife who had a disease of falling down often and a spoilt kid with a reputation of drugs which he was trying to amend. His drinking was just considered a minor flow which many forgave him for as he still kept his composure out there. So when Amber attempted to run away once, a faithful servant brought her back home.  On several occasions after she had gotten to the age of ten the dad had tried to have his way with her which she tactfully declined through punches and running then coming back home when he had passed out on the couch. The trick was to never let him get a grip of her. When the twins came though she grew fond of them and the bastard took advantage of that. It was either her or them and eventually she caved in. Not that she didn’t to report it once but the town police never even once believed her. The man had a refined reputation for Christ’s sakes one that no one had managed to surpass. He had set a bar for many and even when they had screams in the house they thought it was demons he was trying to evict from the twins he had then saved from the clutches of the devil. Though Amber didn’t complain to anyone again she took it one day at a time with a plan already set in motion. Turning sixteen the following day she was now at the age where legally she could fend for herself. Her bags were already packed ready and set to leave for the next day. Her sisters crying on her shoulders had friend to convince her otherwise; to take them with her but she declined. She was living but with little money barely enough to survive her a month and she still had no plan to as to where she was heading. Taking them with her would mean mere torture. They would either die from immense hunger or pneumonia from the harsh weather. They weren’t old enough yet for street life. She wasn’t abandoning them either. They gave her a reason to live. If it weren’t for them she would have probably already joined her ancestors. It so happened the day she had made a decision to take her life was the day they came into her life. Her plan was to get a job out there then come back for them. To avoid gossip and doubt from the congregation her dad had allowed them to go school. A bonus for them. At least in school they ate and learnt that there was hope out there for them just waiting for them to reach over and grab it. Between having completed her O - level studies and the life she lived, Amber was pretty sure she would find something fast. Within two months she would have saved enough to take her sisters out of that hell hole. The lower level students were always done with class in the afternoons and mostly Amber picked them up from school. That day however with Candela sick they went home early missing Amber who had just come from the diner where she worked for a month now. Amber had just collected her servant pay and was happy to share the news with her sisters when she went to school and was informed of the tragedy. She quickly went home and that’s when all hell broke loose. Constrained screams could be heard all the way from the door. She a member of the family knew better than to think it was nothing. She quickly ran into the room only to see the wretched man trying to shove his shaft into Candela's cunt. The heavily dosed mum was trying to get him off with no success. Her energy could barely support her let alone save a life. Candy was by the dad’s hands trying to wiggle him off when he broke his own rule and smashed a fist into her face. That big never even once hit them on the face that would be hard to explain to his congregation. Besides Amber heard him say once that once they were of legal age he would use them to satisfy some of the man - whores in town to bring in more money. But first he would take the innocent and enjoy them to himself before sharing. The mother protested at first but then gave in because it meant more drugs at the very least though she made him swear that he would not touch them until they had gotten to the age of twelve. Picking the nearest seat Amber quickly smashed it on his back making him let go of a wailing Candela. The look on that animals face sent shivers down her spine but her face put on an impassive mask. Long were the days when she would allow her heart to be ruled by terror. Besides they had a deal her body in exchange for Candy and Candela's freedom. It had been torture for her each time he forced himself on her but she had braced herself remembering it was for a worthy cause and now he went against his own word. That coward. Amber ran downstairs as soon as he got up putting as much distance from her siblings while at an advantage with the kitchen equipment at her disposal. ‘Let go of the knife you ungrateful dog,’ Antony spat looking at his prey. He had raised that brat himself giving her food and shelter and now she had the audacity to defy him. She was unfortunate he still had use for her otherwise that would have been her last days on earth. She had nowhere to run no one to save her. The moment he would lay his hands on her he would teach her how to become a proper submissive not withholding his body’s demands this time. Not that he ever did but he was always so considerate on her going easy but now she would know how his strength as a man would make her scream his beautiful name for the whole world to hear. He went forward trying to grab her but the b***h cut his hand making him growl in pain. Now that was a move he never thought she would be courageous enough to pull through but what the hell. The game had just started and he loved his submissive riled up before the finale.                   A week had gone by without her haven’t been caught. As much as she was grateful to being alive hunger had slowed down her movements and fear had taken grip of all her blood vessels. A Good Samaritan had been kind enough to give her a ride to the next city having believed her story of visiting a friend. On the next town however she kept a low key living in the streets and going through the garbage bins for any left overs each time cursing herself for forgetting the money but then again she had no time to think. That Friday the sun was up as usual emitting its rays brightly for the whole world to see. Amber looked up to the sky and admired its beauty. She wished they had traded places maybe then she wouldn’t be a fugitive running from the law. No matter the troubles and tribulations that went on the earth the sun rose up giving people hope of e new beginning. And when a storm overshadows it, it still fights to regain its strength with no fear if not the same day then the following. Embracing her unshade tears, Amber closed her eyes her mind drifting to her beautiful sisters. Remembering the night of her departure. She wondered how they were faring on now that she had eliminated the threat. If the mother had mended her ways and be good to them or if the events had changed her for the worse. If the Lord above was at least watching over them unlike her. Amber believed in the Almighty. She was the dad that she never had. To be precise her only dad. The day she had been taken from the convent orphanage she was so happy singing him praises until life gave her a dose of reality. Not that she doubted his love for her, never but she felt unworthy to even be in his presence. Her deed are what put a strain between their relationship maybe even leading him to finally give up on her otherwise had he still been watching over her, then she would have been at a better place by then but then again she was still alive and that had to count for something. Her memory then maneuvered to the fateful night. The night when she knew what it was like to wield a power over life just for a second. A night when the animal in her that was always under tight leash broke free pouncing onto the enemy in front of her. A night when all her plans for the future crashed before her eyes but most of all a night when the earth spat out part of its venom and burring it into the ground. A night that till then if given a second chance she wouldn’t change a damn thing. She had taken matters into her own hands and though guilt tried on several occasions to shove its way down her spine she crushed it again and again. Opening her eyes she stared at her hands. Hands which served their role to the fullest after she pounced on the wolf stabbing him four times directly onto his heart and enjoying every single moment of it. Anthony Had it coming and it was about time. At first her only intention was to scare him by gifting him with some bruises but then he got hold of her. His sickening smile playing on his lips upon his victory as he tried to teach her a lesson the only way he knew how. By using his unclean godforsaken enormous shaft. Plunging into her ruthlessly with no mercy withholding nothing sending strains of pain into her whole system. To add salt into the injury whispering into her ear on how he still had enough energy to take care of her sisters after he was done with her. It was then that the realization that he wasn’t going to stop dawned on her. The man was worse than the devil himself. Having lost himself to the ‘ecstasy’ he closed his eyes whimpering in pleasure as Amber tried to reach for any nearest item that would get him off her. A pan that had fallen did it. With her newly found energy she smacked his head hard making him growl in pain giving her enough seconds to crawl from underneath him and reach for the knife. Her legs were shaky and in immense pain to hold her upright but her anger kept on erupting like volcano deep within her. Containing it would require a lot of energy energy which she could use for a better purpose. Pouncing on his huge belly she quickly plunged the knife into his heart. Damn did it feel good? The look of defeat on his face inspiring her to do more. To give it her best which she willfully obliged stabbing him again and again before letting go of the weapon? She knew she had given him the easy way but it was the only option she had left. If anyone had paid attention to her plea much could be avoided but then all that was history. She at least gave him enough time to wiggle in the pool of his own blood before meeting his maker. That is if he would even be lucky enough to see the heaven’s gate. Most probably he was going to hell to his accomplice where he would await her arrival for she had taken a life and their fight would continue for eternity. Her mum called the police after that claiming that a lunatic had killed her husband for no reason. Amber having no enough time to even change grabbed her bag and jumped through the window before she was slain next to him. She changed her clothes at an abandoned building a bit far from home, wiping off the blood and then set off on the new journey never again to look back. Her sisters left on Gods mercy at least they were free. Her memory lane was however cut short by a Good Samaritan who came and gave all the street people including her food. It didn’t take long for her to realize he was drawn to her giving her an advantage. Using the story of the fatal accident of her family leaving her to fend for herself for five years now, the man took pity on her offering her a job at the diner. It wouldn’t pay much but at least it was a start and a good bye to street life. She promised herself to be good and work her best to earn enough. Maybe then she could sneak back home and get her siblings before it was too late. Days gradually passed by making it a month and work so far had been good. Her boss was kind enough to even give her food apart from the shelter and salary. She slept in a small room just there in the dinner but at least it was warm enough. Her mind though never forgot who she was. As her body concentrated on work; her left eye kept on alert for any of the men in blue. ‘Order up for table 13,’ Gabriel the man who had saved her called out. The look on his face was hard to miss. He had figured it out. Amber who now went by the name of Candy was moving slow that day. Saturdays were usually full house and that day was no exception. Amber had pushed herself as hard as she could but her body couldn’t take it anymore. It was giving in to the pain. The cramps were just too painful more than the usual. She wasn’t about to tell her boss that though. The guy was overly generous and the concern face he had worn at that moment tore her apart. She was a murderer deserving no one’s love. It made her wonder at times. If he knew the real her would he still stick by her side or would he be any indifferent? The answer was obvious and she knew deed down her heart but it wasn’t wrong to wish. Letting out a sigh of frustration she looked over at table 13 whom she had already served with the wrong order. If looks could kill she would have been dead by then. They looked seriously pissed but not as much as the ones on table ten whose order was the one I had given away. They were construction workers from the building next to ours. They already looked exhausted and starved enough to deal with my confusion. After getting a two minute pep talk of concern from her boss, Amber took the tray and headed to the tables with every intention of apologizing. It was a happy day for her. In pain never the less happy. She had missed her period for a month and at some point she almost killed herself. The mere thought of that pigs seed growing in her was just too disgusting no offense to the innocent baby.  With her periods though, it meant she was still good and maybe some part of me could still be saved/ salvaged. Pain she could always endure but a baby never. Besides she didn’t think herself capable of taking care of a young one let alone one more mouth to feed. Midway to the tables however the pain intensified and her hands went to her stomach letting the tray fall onto the ground sending plates shuttering into tiny pieces before she finally fell down and darkness took over. [A Day Later] ‘She is waking up,’ Amber heard voices whispering next to her before her eyes finally opened adjusting to the bright light of the room. Her head was pounding but at least the pain in had stomach had subsided considerably. With the drip on her hand and her clothes she quickly figured out where she was. ‘What happened?’ she asked turning expecting to meet her boss. To be sincere he was her only friend and had things been different; had they met before she was pretty sure they would have been close friends. The face that she met however terrified her. She could have sworn her heart stopped for a second. Beside her was her mum wearing a stone cold hard face. Amber knew that look. It was a perfect reflection of the look she bore a month back before the tragedy.  She didn’t know how her mum found her but she was sure her days as a free woman were finally over. Spitting on the clean tiles before her, her mum rose up from her seat and dived for her neck strangling the breath out of her. Whomever said time heals all wounds was clearly mistaken. Her mum’s anger had gradually intensified and could be seen all over her from her sweat, taut muscles to the ice cold eyes. With her whole system on medication it was hard for Amber to push her off. It was funny how life on numerous times had been cruel to her making her want to take her own life and now that it granted her wish she wanted a way out. Her only hope against her mum was trough screams which could barely come out considering. Amber closed her eyes praying to the Almighty to give her one more chance when two men ran into the room. It had been a while before she prayed and with good reason. But with the outcome of the prayer it made her wonder if it was she who forgot how to pray or the angel carrying her prayer delivered the wrong message. For God sent more doom instead of Calvary. For a second, a split second she almost let the anguish she felt overwhelm her. Her tears which she swore never to let out in public almost had their way. ‘Let me go. That w***e needs to die,’ her mum cursed while trying to wiggle out of the policeman’s clutches tears dripping down her cheeks. Her mum was a lot of things but crying just didn’t suite her. Even while her husband beat the s**t out of her she still never shed a tear. To be truthful Amber looked up to her in that department. The day her husband died she was in shock and pain and for a while Amber thought the woman would break down into tears but she didn’t. Maybe it was too much for her or maybe she cried afterwards? Anyway it was too late to tell and now she stood before her with those aliens dripping down her blouse. Whatever made her cry maybe sincere but Amber didn’t dismiss the fact that the woman could just be putting on an act to make her coming days eventful. ‘I need to rest now,’ Amber whispered taking one look at her boss before shutting her eyes. She wasn’t tired but the disappointed look on Gabriel was like a knife plunged deep in her own gut. It was the look she dreaded the most and part of her had hopped for several days that their time together up to the time she would leave would be beautiful. A wishful thinking among many others. She had to admit though a part of her just wanted to drive her mother over the edge. The woman had lived the best part of her life using her like a tool with no motherly affection in her. The only thing that made her better was that she kept to herself even when high not caring about them yes but at least she didn’t harm them either. Amber had hated her for the longest time but at that moment she felt no better than her. She was a murderer which was way worse than drug addict. ‘Don’t you dare close your eyes you wretched thief,’ she commanded stamping her feet hard on the floor. Her wails were loud enough to make even a comma patient break through. A familiar sound of a jaw crashing sprung into the air and Amber’s eyes flew open only to find the policeman caressing his jaw in ewe. Her mother had punched him and there was no remorse written on her face. She tried to grab Amber again but cuffs immediately took hold of her hands. ‘Woman control yourself, the policeman ordered in a firm voice while walking her out. Not giving up though her mum shouted curses in the air about how much of a w***e she was not only sleeping with her husband but killing him. She then said something to the policeman who then turned her to face Amber.  ‘You will never succeed in life,’ she said in a much more composed voice, ‘you have killed not one but two and you shall never stop. Your thirst for blood will be your undoing and the day you die I will dance on you grave. One more thing, stay away from my kids; they want nothing to do with you. Besides how could you claim to love them if you took the life of your own flesh and blood?’ With that she spat again on the floor before finally leaving the room. And for the first time in a long while, Amber let her tears slip through.