Luna’s Nightmare Redemption

Chapter 1

I felt the sting at my lower back when I tried moving, seeing how dark the room was, I knew that I was locked in the basement, again, suddenly feeling my head ache, I recollected the events that had taken place.

“But mother, I did wash the dresses” I said trying to explain that someone else had stained the dress.

“Never call me that again!!, I’m supposed to wear that to women meeting later on and you ruined my plans” Chloe yelled

Then I felt a hot sting on my face, her slap hitting me so hard I fell to my face on the wooden floor, then the pain that came next was unbearable as I heard the whip lash on my back, I screamed for help, begging her to stop but the beating continued and then I could hear someone from behind, it was Diego, my step brother telling her to just let it be.

“You have to pay for this” Chloe said dragging my hand and pushing me down the basement stairs, I fell down the stairs and had to sit in agony and fear as I heard the door lock from outside, I tried begging and crying to be let out but it fell on deaf ears.

Now I had awoken with severe pains all over and a distraught voice from all the crying, I began to slowly sob, tears trickling from my eyes as I remembered the vague memories of my mother and our happy family, then I heard clicking at the door, someone was opening the door, perhaps Chloe, it wasn’t her, it was Skyler, my stepsister, opening the door with a measly stale bread and a cup of water.

“Mother says to feed you, so you don’t die in the house” she said, cackling afterwards “Until you’re ready to learn, you’ll be here a while” she continued as she closed the door and locked it again.

I could feel the sores etched on my feet from the cold floor as I picked up the stale bread and began to chew, taking the water to my lips as it was difficult to swallow, after the meal, my eyes closed again in attempt to forget my pain.

I woke up to the open basement door, gesturing that I could come out, I looked out the door and I could see my step mother and siblings having dinner, I dashed into the kitchen only to see that the meal was already done as they had forgotten to leave my share, again.

“Tania!” I heard my mother yell “Come here and clear the dishes and make sure you scrub them clean” she said as she saw me walk in my ragged clothes.

The plates still had the fresh smell of the delicious food I made before I was locked in the basement, I picked up the plates as quickly as I could to avoid any contact with any of my siblings or even their mother, I took the dishes and started washing them as instructed, I didn’t want to end up locked in the basement again.

The day seemed to go by easily without much trouble, I didn’t see Chloe as she went for the meeting in the evening, I retired to my room to sleep, hoping for a better tomorrow.

Before anyone else, I woke up feeling a little elated because the morning sun gave me strength and hope to live, I washed the remaining dresses put up for me the day before, I had to go to the market immediately after to get some food for the home, I loved going there, there were flowers and beautiful scarves.

I hurriedly went to the market after washing, the money was left on the dining table for me to see, my step mother wouldn’t need to remind me, I first got the things needed for the house, then I went to the flower stall, the woman was so fond of me, she tend to call me Evelyn meaning beautiful. I walked there, she took the white roses and gave them to me.

“Evelyn how are you?” She asked handing me the flowers “Good morning, I’m okay” I said smiling at her taking the rose in my hand, “Don’t go out at night, they are still trying to find the beast that lurks around killing the innocent” she continued “Yes miss, I won’t” walking away with my basket and without looking I bumped into a figure, dropping my rose and losing my balance, I felt a hand on my waist and the other holding my hand stopping my fall, I looked to see his face over mine as he held me, his eyes gazed into mine, his black hair shone as the sun rays were blocked by his face, he pulled me up, I recollected my thoughts and slightly bowed, walking away swiftly to avoid any other contact.

I came back home to feel the ecstasy elude me because I was back to my step mother but fortunately she wasn’t home, I put off the basket in the kitchen and started removing the fruits and food supplies I had gotten earlier.

A strong voice called from outside the kitchen “Tania” it sounded like Diego’s voice “Yes, I’m in the kitchen, I’ll be there” I said dropping the last item on the counter.

“Did you just get back?” He asked as I walked in with my hands folded “Yes I just did, is there something that you want?” I asked wanting to leave so I could get the remaining chores done.

“Well… is anyone home now?” He asked “No, mother had stepped out with Skyler and Violet to visit a friend” I said wanting to be alone “Ahhh, really, well then, sit, I want to talk to you” he said looking at me in a strange manner.

I sat down half heartedly “Isn’t there anything you need brother?” I asked feeling puzzled “No, I just want you to sit beside me” he said now having a quite disturbing look “I’m sorry brother but I have other things to do” I said feeling uncomfortable, I walked away, he stood up and held my hand with so much force “Where do you think you’re going? Are you walking out on me?” I suddenly felt his hand on my face, pushing me to the chair close by.

He immediately took my face in his hand “If you would comply, I wouldn’t have to hit you” he said putting his hand on my legs, lifting my rugged gown “No Diego, leave me be” I said putting his hand away in between sobs, “Now listen here you wrench, I will do what I want because my mother owns you and so do I, do you understand?” He said almost in a shout, his hands still trying to caress me.

I got fully bewildered and at his action and pushed off his hand, trying to run away, he pulled me, putting me to the floor, I resisted and pushed him so hard he hit his head on the side table, the vase toppled and fell on his head, just then I heard someone unlock the front door, my fear was actualized, Chloe was back, I froze putting my hand over my mouth knowing that I was about to having a beating of death, she forgot about me and sent Skyler to get the physician while she scurried to her son’s side, she was in utter panic and disbelief trying to ask me what happened to her son while I didn’t even try to explain.

After a while, the physician came by and catered to the wound on his head, I knew what was coming for me, I’d either be dead or left for dead.

I felt my hands trembling and begging when the lashes couldn’t stop, my face got red with fear as tears flowed uncontrollably “You almost killed my son because you wanted revenge right” Chloe’s voice echoed in my head, I could feel my eyelids getting heavier by the second until my eyes closed and the I became numb “You better be dead” I heard at a distance losing consciousness.

My whole body ached as I opened my eyes feeling cold as I was completely drenched in the water that Skyler had poured on me to awaken me “Get up, bag of bones, mother has asked for you” she said after dropping the bucket.

I came out to see a little bag of clothes laid out for me “Get your things and leave this house immediately” Chloe said glaring at me “Please mother, where do you want me to go?” I said feeling cold and utter disdain “Never call me that again, haven’t I warned you? Now listen to me, take your things and leave my presence, now!!” She said in a higher tone prompting me to shiver. I could hear Skyler supporting her as she carried my things outside in the dead of the night gesturing that I leave. My legs couldn’t move, I found myself crawling and crying “Please mother, please I have no where to go, please” I said crying uncontrollably.