3.Past
1091 Words
"Please stop! Stop hurting me!"
Lisa's voice cracked as she knelt on the cold floor, hands bound tightly behind her back.
Her long brown hair clung to her face in messy strands. Her clothes were torn and rough, offering little protection.
Terror surged through her as the man approached, whip in hand and a sick smile twisted across his face.
"Uncle, please," she sobbed. "Let me go. I'm begging you."
He crouched, gripping her chin, lifting her tear-streaked face.
Her silent whimpers only seemed to feed his sick desires.
"I’ll tell my father," she choked out.
The slap came hard.
"Don’t you ever threaten me with that loser."
She fell sideways, her cheek stinging. Tears blurred her vision.
"Just wait till my dad gets back. He’s going to beat you too."
"Oh no," he laughed darkly. "I’m so scared."
Lisa’s voice dropped to a desperate whisper.
"Please. I swear I won’t tell anyone."
He tilted his head, examining her.
"You look just like your mother. Same eyes. Same lips. But she chose your father over me."
She shuddered.
"I met her first. Told her how I felt. She said she wasn’t ready... but then she met my brother, and suddenly she was."
The whip brushed her hair, sliding down past her lips to her chest.
"Too bad your father left you here. He wanted us to bond... and we will."
Her eyes burned with hate—but she was helpless.
"Still feisty." He grabbed her shirt. "I like that. I’ll tame it."
Lisa screamed, thrashing against the ropes, but she couldn’t break free—
---
"Let go! Don’t touch me!"
"Lizzy!"
Mrs. Walter's voice broke through the darkness.
"Lisa! Wake up!"
Lizzy thrashed under the covers, sweat-soaked and panicked.
Mrs. Walter ran to the freezer, grabbing a bottle of water.
"Call the family doctor!" she shouted to the startled chef before rushing back upstairs.
"Please stop, I’m sorry!" Lizzy cried, eyes still shut, trapped in the nightmare.
Cold water splashed her face. She gasped, jolting awake. Her eyes darted around the room in fear.
"Mom...?"
Mrs. Walter stood beside her, face lined with worry.
"You never told me about this," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Lizzy sat up, drenched in water, her breathing shallow.
"Please, Mom. I want to be alone." Her voice was faint, distant.
She slid out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. Mrs. Walter stared after her, helpless.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. Just... leave me alone."
The bathroom door slammed shut.
---
It was just after 5 a.m. Everything felt quieter than it should’ve been.
Mrs. Walter sank onto the edge of the bed, her hands shaking.
Twelve hours alone. That was all it took for her brother-in-law to break her daughter. And in four years, she had never asked—not once. She couldn’t bear to. But now she felt like the worst mother in the world.
Inside the bathroom, Lizzy leaned against the door. Her head spun.
She looked into the mirror. Her skin was pale, lips dry and cracked.
She splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would wash away the memories. It didn’t.
Her eyes turned distant. Emotionless.
After the incident, her mom treated her like she was made of glass. Her father pretended she’d just had a bad day.
Another tear slipped down her cheek. Somewhere in her mind, she swore she could hear that man’s laughter again.
She stepped into the shower, fully clothed, letting the icy water run down her body.
"I’ll tame that fire."
His voice echoed in her skull. She scrubbed her skin raw, desperate to erase the feeling.
When she finally stepped out, her skin was red and irritated. Mrs. Walter was still waiting in her room.
"How are you, Lizzy?" she asked gently, noticing the marks but saying nothing.
"I’m fine, Mom. I just need space."
She pulled out a sweatshirt and leggings.
"You can’t keep pushing me away." Mrs. Walter reached out, brushing Lizzy’s cheek.
"It’s easier this way."
"I’m your mother. You should be able to talk to me."
Lizzy stepped out of reach and walked back into the bathroom. She emerged dressed and started applying light makeup.
"You’re beautiful," Mrs. Walter said softly.
"Don’t." Lizzy yanked her hand away when her mother touched hers.
"I don’t feel beautiful. I feel dirty."
Her mom’s face crumpled.
"Mother, please. Stop making this a big deal." Lizzy grabbed her phone.
"Are you going for a run? Are you coming back?"
"I’m just going to Josie’s after I clear my head."
"You’re avoiding your father, aren’t you?"
"Not really." It was a lie.
"But—"
"Bye, Mother."
---
Carter Mansion – 5:10 a.m.
The alarm buzzed. Blake groaned and hit snooze.
Cassie lay asleep beside him. He slid out of bed quietly, changed into joggers and a jersey, and headed out.
Downstairs, Ethan and Matt were already ready.
"Morning," Matt muttered, chugging water.
"Everything’s too loud," Ethan winced, hungover but still laced up in workout gear.
"You can stay behind," Blake offered.
"Nah, I’m good."
They stepped into the cool morning air, streets still empty.
"Did you see your sister last night?" Matt asked.
"Yeah. She said you guys were ignoring her."
"I didn’t even see her." Matt paused. "Weird dream though..."
"Don’t start," Blake groaned.
"She stabbed my eyes with a kitchen knife."
"Leave Cassie out of your freak dreams," Ethan laughed.
"She’s like my sister too! Maybe she’s mad I forgot the cupcakes I promised."
"Because you’re a d**k," Ethan teased.
"Blake dragged me to the club!"
"Because your work has been slipping."
Blake ignored them, earphones in, lost in his own rhythm. ‘Peaches’ played as they jogged.
---
Meanwhile, Lisa ran down the estate road, legs pounding the pavement. Running cleared her head, at least a little.
She spotted three guys up ahead—Blake, Ethan, and Matt.
Her eyes widened. They lived on the same estate?
How had she never seen them before?
She turned, hoping to avoid being seen. Blake glanced up, spotting a retreating figure.
She ducked behind a tree.
"What’s wrong?" Ethan asked.
"I think someone’s following us." Blake pulled out his earphones.
"You sure?" Matt asked, suddenly nervous.
"Yeah. Behind that tree."
"Maybe we should just go," Matt said.
"What if they’ve got a gun?"
Ethan chuckled. "Oh no. I'm shaking."
Blake crept forward, focused. He saw a shadow—someone was definitely there.
Lisa squeezed her eyes shut, heart thudding as he approached.
He reached past the leaves—
- Writer
