Chapter 6: Promises Of A Better Life

!!! *** WARNING! THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATERIALS THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME READERS! SUCH AS ABUSE OF A MINOR! READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED! *** !!! ************************************* Nasha's P.O.V. ************************************ "Dad really said that I could go live with you?" I asked Aunt Pam. "That's right," she said as she opened my jello cup for me. I beamed at her. I'm so happy! I can't believe this is happening. I'm finally going to be free. I get a new start. A fresh start. Maybe I can even make a friend. "He... wants to pick you up today though," Aunt Pam added casually. I froze with my jello in my mouth. "Don't worry Nasha," she added quickly. "He probably just wants to say goodbye to you. Maybe have a conversation. He seemed like he was a bit sad to know what you went through." Sad? About what I went through? My dad? Does Aunt Pam even remember what I told her? "I know that everything you told me was awful, Nasha. Don't get me wrong," Aunt Pam said. "I'm not saying that I trust him, I'm just saying... Maybe he's starting to see the things he did wrong." Yeah, right. "I know, I know," Aunt Pam said. It's nice having someone who can read the expressions on my face so easily. "I just don't want you to grow up bitter. That's how you turn into a monster like that." She said softly. "You should learn how to forgive." Forgive?! "I know that right now that sounds impossible," Aunt Pam said. "I'm not saying that your father deserves forgiveness. Even if he apologizes to you. However, you deserve to forgive him, Nasha. For you, not for him." That sounds like a load of cr.ap. "One day you'll understand. You'll see how much better it will be to let go of everything, and move on." Aunt Pam said. Move on... All I want to do is move on. If I can just get away from my dad, then I'll forgive him. "So, you think you're going to like Arizona?" Aunt Pam asked. I shrugged. I don't know what Arizona is like. Other than it's hot and dry. I think that I'll like the sun always shining though. New York isn't bad. The summers can be hot. Winters here are the best. I love the snow and Christmas time in the middle of the city... It's the most beautiful sight you'll ever see. I wonder if there will be any beautiful sights in Arizona. I hope I'll be able to adjust to the heat and dry air. It's a good thing that the scars Dad left on me are easy to hide. "I have a spare room that we'll have to make all yours. I don't have anything there since this was so sudden, but we can work on it. My house is smaller than your apartment, of course though." Aunt Pam babbled. I laughed softly at her. "That's okay, Aunt Pam, I don't need much," I told her. Which is true. Dad and I might live in a very spacious apartment, but that doesn't mean I was able to enjoy it. There was never any running around, no toys splayed out, no artwork on the fridge. I was only allowed out of my room to cook and clean, or when Dad said it was alright for me to eat. All I ever had was one room. A room that was picked out of a catalog that Dad found. Nothing was personal. Not even my clothes. Everything was ordered and picked out by my dad. I was even too afraid to get off my bed. I didn't have games, or books, or a TV. I sat in silence and either worked on homework, or doodled. "A-Aunt Pam," I said. "Hmm?" She replied. "C-can I... a-ask f-f-for something?" I asked hesitantly. Aunt Pam froze, and looked up at me. "Of course you can, Nasha," she replied gently. "You don't ever have to be afraid to ask me for anything, okay? I can't promise that I can always get it, but never be afraid." I nodded. "O-okay," I said. "Can I... m-maybe get a sketch b-book?" I asked. Aunt Pam smiled at me. "I think that I can do that." She told me. I smiled. That's the first time I've ever asked for anything for myself. In my entire life. It was... so scary, but... Now I might get a sketchbook! Things are going to get better from here on out. ******************************************* "So, you're... taking us both?" Aunt Pam asked Dad. Dad just signed me out of the hospital. We're outside standing in front of our car. Alfred held the car door open for us, but Aunt Pam was hesitant. "How else will you get to the airport?" Dad asked her. "The same way I got here from the airport, a cab." Aunt Pam replied. Dad sighed. "You're about to take my daughter for the next, almost five years. I can at least drive you to the airport," he said. Aunt Pam chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "Alright, let's go." She said. The drive back to the apartment was full of awkward silence. No one really spoke at all. Dad seemed... almost giddy the whole time though. Is he really that happy to be rid of me? When we arrived at our apartment building, we all made our way upstairs. I was surprised when Alfred got into the elevator with us. He never comes all the way up. That should have been my first red flag. Once we got to our apartment door, Dad opened it up, and pushed me inside. Then he cut Aunt Pam off before she could follow me. I looked at Aunt Pam over my father's shoulder in confusion. "Alfred will take you to the airport now," Dad said. "You said Nasha could come with me! I'm not leaving without her!" Aunt Pam said angrily. My anxiety started to spike. "Oh, she'll be joining you. Eventually," Dad said. "Until then, I'll start sending you things for her. I'll even send you an allowance to use on her while she stays with you. I also paid off your mortgage, and caught up all of your bills." "What? Why would you do that?" Aunt Pam asked. Dad chuckled lowly. "That's your payment. For taking this brat off my hands." He said. "And now... Now you, too, can learn just how untouchable I really am." Then Dad slammed the door shut in Aunt Pam's face. I gasped in surprise. Dad locked the door, and turned around to face me. An evil smile was spread across his face. I took a step back as I started to tremble. Aunt Pam started to pound her fists on the door. "Open this door right now! Nasha! Are you okay?! I swear to you John, I will call the police!!" She shouted. Dad threw his head back, and laughed. "You hear that, Nasha? She's going to call the police. You know what that means, right?" he asked. I tripped over my own feet, and fell on my butt. I whimpered as I wiggled back on the bare floor. "That means that we have to make this look like an attack from a stranger," Dad said. "A-Aunt P-Pam..." I whispered. "She'll be long gone by the time the cops get here." Dad said. "I only want her out there long enough to hear you get punished. Then Alfred will drag her out of here." I froze at his words. Dad started to pull his belt from his pants. Tears spilled from my eyes as he took a step closer to me. Then he started the torture. I screamed out as Dad whipped me over and over again with his belt. He was so fast that I couldn't keep up with protecting my body. I tried to look at him, and that got me whipped in the face. When he had finally stopped, I was panting on the floor. I can feel blood coming from all different areas of my body. My left eye hurts so badly that I can't even open it. I could faintly hear Aunt Pam still screaming on the other side of the door. I can barely make out her pleas for my father to stop. My ears are ringing, and my head is spinning. "Your precious aunty is leaving now," Dad said, amused. "You'll join her. As soon as you get out of the hospital again." Then Dad dropped to his knees next to me. He gripped the hair at the back of my head, and jerked my around to face him. I sobbed as I waited for him to just stop. Much to my horror, my father raised his fist. "What did I tell you before, Nasha? Always keep your mouth shut!" He shouted as he landed the first blow. I whimpered, but was unable to move. "Don't worry my daughter," he said. "I'll make sure you remember all of my rules. No matter how far you run away."