Snap! There goes my wrist. I cry out. "I thought I told yo not to speak!" Whap! Aiden's fist connects with my face. Don't cry. Don't cry!. I hate your fucking guts! you make me sick!" HE slaps me one more time and storms out.

"Shh... shh... wake up Hun." A gentle voice whispers. "Come back to me." I open my eyes, and see Ashley's beautiful face next to mine. He pulls me closer to him, causing the pain in my ribs to flare. I cringe and let out a sound of pain. "Sorry!" His grip loosens. I wish it hadn't. "Oh geez.... another nightmare?" I nod. "Do you want to talk about it?" I shake my head no. He sighs, "Okay, well if you won't tell me that will you tell me why you are covered in bruises and scars?" I start to panic. "Whoa, whoa hey... Deep breaths Lace, deep breaths..." He rubs my back. Why is he being so nice to me? I mean he's done nothing but ignore me for weeks... Why does he care now? "Tum I know it's probably not a happy subject, but you can't keep it bottled up okay?" I nod, take a deep breath, and begin my story.

Flashback:

"Catch me if you can, little girl!" The "little girl" sets me off, and I sprint after Greg. He's to fast, adn my little legs can't catch him. Greg is a whole two years older than me, so there is no way I can catch him. It's a good thing I'm smarter.

I run around the other side of my house to cut him off. The second we collide, we fall to the ground. "Give me back my doll!" I scream.

"I don't have your doll!" He holds up his hands and there is no doll. He is grinning, and laughing his stupid little laugh, so I punch him in the face.

"Kids, time for dinner!" My mom yells. I climb off of him and run toward the food.

"Hey, there's my beautiful Tum!" My dad says as he picks me up.

"I love you daddy." I smile, pressing my cheek to his.

"I love you too darling." He kisses my head and puts me back on the ground.

"Hey Greg," My "Uncle" Derek says as he loads his plate with food. "I heard you got beat up by a girl."

"OOOOOHH!!! Boom roasted!" Mark teases.

"I did not!" Greg exclaims. His face turn the color of my hair so we all know he is lying.

"mmhhmm... sure..." Uncle Derek smiles. They go on for a while longer, but I'm too focused on my food to pay attention, or care for that matter.

That was the best birthday ever! I tell myself as I crawl into bed. I'm finally double digits! I think about all of the amazing things that I'm going to do and drift off to sleep.

Why is it so hot? What is that beeping noise? I open my eyes and the sight is terrifying.

Notes

Cliff hanger!!! Sorry I haven't been updating latey. I just got ungrounded, and I've been having some family and health issues. But I should be able to update more frequently now. Thanks for reading!