Struggle and Salvation

The piercing sound of yelling rips you from sleep. Groggy and annoyed, you stomp towards the noise, pushing open the door to find your father's gang members, his 'friends,' acting like rowdy children. You roll your eyes, retreating to your room to prepare for the day, the usual chaos of your life already in full swing.

The stifling heat prompts you to straighten your curly hair, a small act of defiance against the oppressive air of the house. Ready, you head to the kitchen, finding your father seated with his coffee, one of his 'pets' preparing his breakfast. The familiar sight sparks a dull ache of resentment. You hate how cold he's become since your mother died, how he treats these women.

“Good morning, pa,” you say, forcing a kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning, Aurora,” he replies, his voice gruff. “If you are going out, take some of my friends with you so nothing bad happens and cover up!”

“Fine, I’m gonna get something from my room real quick though,” you agree, already plotting your escape.