It was a day she would never forget. A day that started like any other.
The obnoxious blaring from her alarm clock filtered into her ears, instantly waking her from the paradise inside her dreams. Then the morning routine began. First was a quick shower then she headed down the stairs and to the kitchen that was only large enough for one. Elora cracked a few eggs and slapped some bacon on the skillet. This morning will be a simple breakfast. If her mother taught her anything, it was how to cook. It was a good thing too because soon after her mother’s death three years ago Elora took over the cooking. If her father were to cook she would have to eat popcorn every day. That, or starve.
The meal didn’t take long to prepare and was soon distributed between two plates. Elora did not wait for her drunken father to begin eating. For all she knew, he was passed out still gripping his empty whiskey bottle. After her mother’s death, his drinking turned into an everyday thing and it was never good to be around him in such a state. No one was ever good enough and had to be punished to become better. His own daughter had come to hate the man. His punishments were brutal. Every new bruise upon Elora’s body only deepened this hatred. And yet, she could not leave her father’s side… The man was hurting as well. He had lost his wife, his lifelong partner. She didn’t want him to feel the pain of losing his only child as well…
Today was unlike any other day and soon her mind wandered to a different man. Dante was a kind man who understood her completely. A man she soon found herself head over heels for. However, could never tell him in fear of rejection. Besides, things were fine as they were… right? Maybe she would go and visit him today and make sure all was well in his life. Since after all, like her, he wasn’t blessed with the best of lives either.
Just as she had put on her shoes and about to head out the door, Elora heard a loud crash from her father’s room. He must’ve tripped over his clothes scattered on the floor. Sighing, she stole one last glance at her phone then headed toward the noise. After all, there was plenty of time to spare she might as well make sure the damned man was okay.
Cautiously she opened the bedroom door only to confirm what she had thought. He laid on the floor groaning unable to gather the strength to get back to his feet. Sighing once again, Elora approached his side and offered her assistance by dropping to one knee and swinging his arm around her shoulders then with all her might, stood bringing them to their feet. The smell of hard liquor was overwhelming and made her want to vomit. Instead, Elora dragged him to his bed and turned to the door, leaving him to gravel in his self-destruction. Knowing what was ahead when she returned
Suddenly he grasped her wrist with an unbelievable grip then threw her on the bed, pinning her under his weight. He nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck and spoke. “You look so much like her…”
His words scared her more than anything ever had. Elora wiggled and squirmed under his dead weight. Her screams echoed on the walls. However, she knew it was no use… The way her father’s eyes were glazed over, she doubted he even knew what he was doing. Let alone would remember. “Dad! No! Let go of me, please!”
No matter her efforts his hands continued to explore her body, soon rising the skirts of her pretty dress before pulling down his own britches. “If I can’t have her…. Then you will do….” His words were slurred so bad it was hard to understand. Even so, his actions were very clear.
It didn’t take long for him to complete his newfound punishment, leaving her sprawled out on his bed. Bloodied and destroyed. He had just taken her purity and she could never get that back… As he stumbled off into his bathroom Elora was left to clean up the mess. She sobbed out loud as she stood, pulling her skirts back down. Her legs felt like jelly and weren’t even sure if they would support her for long. But she didn't care. She couldn’t be here. This was the last straw… With limp legs, she almost waddled out the door to find the sun setting. How long had she endured his tainted touch?
It hurt to walk as the snow collapsed under Elora’s shifting weight. The chilling breeze threatened to freeze her flowing tears. Maybe if they froze, the reality of why the tears were even there would be forgotten as well. It might actually be a relief to be a little ignorant. If only for a little while, that would be enough. The night crept across the sky without Elora even noticing. How far had her tired legs taken her? Were they able to get far enough? How could the man who was supposed to protect her do such a thing to his own daughter? His own blood, fruit of his loins. His beatings and harsh words were nothing compared to the way he destroyed her now. Even still she took one step at a time, sinking into the snow every time. Where was she even going?
Then her phone rang… She answered immediately once she noticed it was Dante. A sobbing mess she spoke. “Dante. Come get me… Please.”
The obnoxious blaring from her alarm clock filtered into her ears, instantly waking her from the paradise inside her dreams. Then the morning routine began. First was a quick shower then she headed down the stairs and to the kitchen that was only large enough for one. Elora cracked a few eggs and slapped some bacon on the skillet. This morning will be a simple breakfast. If her mother taught her anything, it was how to cook. It was a good thing too because soon after her mother’s death three years ago Elora took over the cooking. If her father were to cook she would have to eat popcorn every day. That, or starve.
The meal didn’t take long to prepare and was soon distributed between two plates. Elora did not wait for her drunken father to begin eating. For all she knew, he was passed out still gripping his empty whiskey bottle. After her mother’s death, his drinking turned into an everyday thing and it was never good to be around him in such a state. No one was ever good enough and had to be punished to become better. His own daughter had come to hate the man. His punishments were brutal. Every new bruise upon Elora’s body only deepened this hatred. And yet, she could not leave her father’s side… The man was hurting as well. He had lost his wife, his lifelong partner. She didn’t want him to feel the pain of losing his only child as well…
Today was unlike any other day and soon her mind wandered to a different man. Dante was a kind man who understood her completely. A man she soon found herself head over heels for. However, could never tell him in fear of rejection. Besides, things were fine as they were… right? Maybe she would go and visit him today and make sure all was well in his life. Since after all, like her, he wasn’t blessed with the best of lives either.
Just as she had put on her shoes and about to head out the door, Elora heard a loud crash from her father’s room. He must’ve tripped over his clothes scattered on the floor. Sighing, she stole one last glance at her phone then headed toward the noise. After all, there was plenty of time to spare she might as well make sure the damned man was okay.
Cautiously she opened the bedroom door only to confirm what she had thought. He laid on the floor groaning unable to gather the strength to get back to his feet. Sighing once again, Elora approached his side and offered her assistance by dropping to one knee and swinging his arm around her shoulders then with all her might, stood bringing them to their feet. The smell of hard liquor was overwhelming and made her want to vomit. Instead, Elora dragged him to his bed and turned to the door, leaving him to gravel in his self-destruction. Knowing what was ahead when she returned
Suddenly he grasped her wrist with an unbelievable grip then threw her on the bed, pinning her under his weight. He nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck and spoke. “You look so much like her…”
His words scared her more than anything ever had. Elora wiggled and squirmed under his dead weight. Her screams echoed on the walls. However, she knew it was no use… The way her father’s eyes were glazed over, she doubted he even knew what he was doing. Let alone would remember. “Dad! No! Let go of me, please!”
No matter her efforts his hands continued to explore her body, soon rising the skirts of her pretty dress before pulling down his own britches. “If I can’t have her…. Then you will do….” His words were slurred so bad it was hard to understand. Even so, his actions were very clear.
It didn’t take long for him to complete his newfound punishment, leaving her sprawled out on his bed. Bloodied and destroyed. He had just taken her purity and she could never get that back… As he stumbled off into his bathroom Elora was left to clean up the mess. She sobbed out loud as she stood, pulling her skirts back down. Her legs felt like jelly and weren’t even sure if they would support her for long. But she didn't care. She couldn’t be here. This was the last straw… With limp legs, she almost waddled out the door to find the sun setting. How long had she endured his tainted touch?
It hurt to walk as the snow collapsed under Elora’s shifting weight. The chilling breeze threatened to freeze her flowing tears. Maybe if they froze, the reality of why the tears were even there would be forgotten as well. It might actually be a relief to be a little ignorant. If only for a little while, that would be enough. The night crept across the sky without Elora even noticing. How far had her tired legs taken her? Were they able to get far enough? How could the man who was supposed to protect her do such a thing to his own daughter? His own blood, fruit of his loins. His beatings and harsh words were nothing compared to the way he destroyed her now. Even still she took one step at a time, sinking into the snow every time. Where was she even going?
Then her phone rang… She answered immediately once she noticed it was Dante. A sobbing mess she spoke. “Dante. Come get me… Please.”