Strays

“In a few days, we will have all the money we need, and she will be one last problem for us to worry about.”

***

The rain was beating down on me and the pain in my body from pushing myself hard was agonizing. The burning in my lungs was becoming too much and my legs were cramping, but I knew I was in for far more pain if I didn’t make it on time.

Last time I was late by only two minutes, I got beaten so hard that I couldn’t lay down for a week.

I only slowed down as I got closer to my father’s office, panting to catch my breath. The voice of my stepmother drew my attention.

“Harland, sweetie...In a few days, she won’t be our problem anymore.” The subtle smugness and malice in my stepmother's tone made me instinctively aware that they were talking about me.

What did she mean? 

 My heart was pounding from the running and from what I had just heard, but I couldn’t help but quieten my footfalls as I listened.

I knew I shouldn’t be eavesdropping—anything I did without permission would come back to bite me. But her words made me stop in my tracks. I had to know more. 

 “...they’ll take her, and we’ll have the money.” 

 My eyes widened and my body began to shake uncontrollably.

What was she talking about?!

“Tick tock, Rosalie. You’re late again,” said a voice behind me.

I snapped my head around and came face to face with Derek’s sinister smile.

My stepbrother’s gray eyes were looking me up and down in my drenched clothes, as if he wanted to peel them off with his gaze.

Ever since he first met me when I was 14, he had been trying to lay his hands on me. I didn’t even want to know what he would’ve done had my stepmother not forced him to leave me alone—only because I was the one who had been making money for the family.

I tried my best to avoid Derek, and that no doubt angered him. That was probably why he got that sick pleasure of seeing me chastised by my father or stepmother.

But at this point, Derek wasn't my greatest concern.

I noticed that the voices in the office had fallen silent. They had heard what Derek said.

“Rosalie!” My father’s voice set my nerves on edge. 

I was done for. I almost tried to flee, but I knew Derek would stop me.

Nothing like a good beating to end the night.

Gloating, Derek moved around me and pushed open the door.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my fear, not daring to look up at the people in the room.

"Father…” my voice trembled.

"I told you she was a troublemaker, hiding and eavesdropping like a mouse," My stepmother said with a smirk. "Who knows what she’ll do when she grows up?"

"You were eavesdropping on us?" my father growled.

I smelled the familiar whiff of alcohol and began to tremble uncontrollably. I knew how horrible my father could be when he was drunk.

I lowered my head, afraid to look him in the eye.

I had to redirect his attention. "Here's the money I earned today…”

Isis giggled. Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. 

"Look how slick you are, trying to cover up your crime with just a few bucks? Not only are you late, you're also eavesdropping… Looks like someone needs a little lesson," she said, wrapping her long-manicured nails around my father's upper arm.

 My father raised his hand.

Out of reflex, I lifted mine to cover my head. Trembling, I bit my lips so that I would not scream out—screaming would only bring more brutal chastisement.

One second, two seconds… the expected pain did not come.

Instead, I felt my wallet being pulled out of my hands.

I opened my eyes to see my father with money in hand, gloomily surveying me. Instead of feeling relieved, I felt even more scared.

The look in my father's eyes told me that something worse was going to happen.

He hefted the wallet in one hand and frowned. "Is that all?"

I shuddered and whispered, "It's raining hard today, so not many customers came to the restaurant… I've given you every penny I've earned…”

Slap!

A heavy blow struck my face, knocking me backward and onto the floor.

I slumped to the ground, hearing my father's angry roar faintly over the ringing in my ears.

"What do you mean? Are you saying that I'm dependent on you for support? How dare you mock me?"

Fists fall down on my head and back like a heavy rain.

I cradled my head in my arms and cried out, "No, I am sorry… So sorry… Please stop…”