Chapter 1 : My hellish life

An older Lady can be seen beating and kicking a little girl who is curled up in a floor full of bruises and wound.

"You ugly , worthless girl..!!!... didn't I told you that you are not allowed to eat ..!!!..How dare you disobey me!!!"

'But I am hungry...I didn't eat anything at all in three days...I just want a little bread....'.

Not even one drop of tears can be seen in the girls face. The older lady continued to beat the girl until she was tired and asked the guard to drag her to the basement as a punishment.

The girl was brought to a place where there is no sunlight, a place full of darkness only the light of the lamp can be seen. There is nothing to see anywhere at all only the lamp ,and the girl laying on the hay .

'Ahh..just like that... just like that I was locked up in here again...'

' It's always been like this...'

' I've done nothing at all ...'

Yeah, my life is always like this, well...not when I was still with my parents. It all started when I turned eight, our life isn't that grand like the others but we're not worse either. We have a normal and a happy life ,with my mom and dad I was already happy and satisfied. But the world is just not fair.

My parents died...

And worse it was on my birthday...

That day ,both mom and dad picked me up at school together for us to buy things that is needed for my birthday.

" Mom are we going to buy cake for me?"

" No my dear..."

" Ohh.." a little disappointed voice.

" Because we're going to make it ourselves.."

" Really..?that would be fun!!!"

" And I will be the one who's going to cook your favorite dishes tonight "

" Really dad..?!.today is really my lucky day!.."

But I was celebrating so soon....

When we arrived at our destination we all first bought the ingredients for my cake and after that is for my favorite dishes that dad will cook tonight.

" That was really fun... going somewhere with mom and dad". Holding their hands.

" You have so much fun there ,huh?.But their will be more fun things coming..".Mom said that while looking at me lovingly.

" Yeah, and dad will make sure to do my best to cook more deliciously tonight for our princess's birthday "

" Now I am more excited.."

Just as we arrived at the parking lot and was approaching our car...A car in a full speed was already in front of us , wriggling and is out of control...

'CRASH!'....

Everything went black in an instant , my mind seem to be somewhere else it's like I've forgot everything even my existence...

And later on my consciousness came back and all I think after waking up was where's my parents...

There's no one besides me, only a room with silence and the sound of a machine..I don't know where I am. While I was looking around and trying to move my body full in bandages a nurse went in and was shock seeing me for a moment and then went up to me and tuck me in the bed again and then she ring a bell in the room and a little while after a man in a doctor suit and another nurse came in.

And then they started surrounding me and doing something, like checking my heart rate and other weird stuff. And after they are done I asked them where my parents is,I didn't asked them before because I thought it would be rude if I disturb them.

Just after I was done asking they all froze on the spot seeming like they don't want to answer me...And just like that the doctor informed me about my parents death.

I was so shocked and was on verge of tears but I didn't know what to do, or I just can't control my body even when I force myself but I can't move an inch.I just stayed silent while my tears flow like a river. And after consoling me for awhile they all left and I just lays down in there and cried my heart out.

The few day's I was discharged and was taken by my maternal grandmother my mother's stepmom. I didn't have a choice but to go with her since it's only been the three of us together always I didn't know any other relatives. And that's how my hellish life strated.

The day I arrived at my grandma's house,I was mesmerized by how big her house or should I say mansion. Actually the reason why I was so mesmerized was because I've never been here and me and my parents just lived in a simple and normal house.

I "Keiko Astford", was just a normal average girl living with my parents "Nori Astford" and "Tristan Astford".My mother named me Kieko as it means "lucky child," "happy child," or "adored one" in Japan, she says that this way they can already show their love for me.I don't know much about my parents aside for their names , habits, their likes and what kind of people they are. Even though I know only this much I didn't even once tried to ask them anything about all of it since I know that they didn't have any plan telling me.

Just like normal family does my parents go to work and I as a kid goes to school. As every day routine my dad would drive and my mom would sit in the front while I'm at the back sit. My mom and dad work at the same place but I don't know where and I didn't even care, and as like that my parents would drop me off first at my school before going. And my school days started only when I was six years old, since when I was four and five years old my parents thought that I was still too young to be separated from them so they decided to teach me on their own ,and I didn't really care about it too much since I too only care about my parents.

My parents only decided to sent me to school when I was six because they said that they also want me to feel a normal childhood like the others ,and since they wished me to I didn't opposed it.

In the very first day of my 1st ,I just attend the school and focused on the lessons and didn't really interact with other children,since I discovered that day that kids is really annoying and very noisy"<-(the one who's also a kid herself)".

The day ended with me ignoring and avoiding the other kids,and when the time my parents came to fetch me they didn't say much and also me we just greeted each other and they asked me if I was hungry and then after I answered them we all went home. But when we arrived at home my parents throw tons of questions on me.

"So my dear Kei...how was your day?". My mom said so while helping dad preparing the table for our dinner.

"Yeah princess,did you have fun in there?". Smiles and then put the last plate and then sat down on his sit.

"Uhhm... everything's fine..."

"...so did you make any friends?"

"..how many friends did you make today my princess?". Putting a food on his wife's and daughter's plate.

"Uhh.. actually..I didn't have any.."

"Why?!"

"Did anyone bully you?". Paused for awhile and then look at his daughter.

"No one did dad, I just don't find it interesting and besides they are all...(annoying)..I just don't feel like it."

"But my dear Kei...you just have to try and give it a chance maybe you'll find it interesting then..."Holds her hand.

"Yeah give it a try princess,you don't have to be shy and nervous I'm sure they'll like you for sure."

' Actually dad I didn't do it not because I was shy or nervous and mom I don't think I'll ever do so since I prefer being alone,but...'

"Okay I'll give it a try...mom ,dad make sure to wish me luck.."

"We sure will."

"I always do."

"Now let's eat I'm really hungry..."Already eating while saying so.

"Pfft.. hahaha "

.......

So just like that In the next day I tried to mixed in with the others and it continued just like that every day.

'Now thinking about it, I missed my parents more...'

I was lost in my thoughts and only came back to my senses when a stern voice suddenly sounded.

"Kid, don't you ever think of living a good life here and eating many delicacy without doing anything...And also in this house you have to follow my rules... understand?"Glares at her.

I was shocked for a moment because of how she looked at me with hatred that I can't even explain,I only meet her today why did she hates me?...

"Uh..yeah,ok".nodding

"Good..now you follow this maid, she'll led you where your going..".Left

'What was that for?... isn't she my grandma?...why looked at me like that?...'

"This way please..."gesturing to Kieko

I followed the maid and she lead me to the maids quarter

,and finally stopped at the front door of one of the rooms. I wasn't shocked at all, and I didn't react negatively, I just stayed calm and composed myself as I already expect that I wouldn't be treated nicely here.

"So this will be your room starting this day miss, you'll be sharing this with Tracie, she's also a maid who's as old as you. She'll tell you what you have to do..."

I nod, and then she left, and after she had already disappeared in my sight I knocked on the door and then a girl who's almost the same age as me jumped at me.

THUD!

A loud thud can be heard in the quite hallway. And that sound was from me who fell hard on the floor, and with the girl on top of me it made my fall more worst. Later on I can't breathe anymore and tried to stand up but failed because the girl who pounced on me hug me tightly like she's planning to squeeze the life out of me.

"Uhhm...hey, can you move away now?... You're so heavy you know?"

"Ohh!..I'm so sorry I didn't mean to..."

The girl stood up quickly and then laugh awkwardly while stretching her hand out to help me up.

"Here let me help you... I'm really, really sorry...I really didn't mean it..."

I looked up at her hand that is stretch out and then take it. Then she helped me up while continuously saying sorry.

' She's a bit weird but...since she said sorry and is (very) sincere...I'll forgive her for now.......when will she stopped apologizing...'

"It's ok, you can stop apologizing now and besides you said that you didn't mean it either."

"Uh..re-really?... you're so kind... I'm touched."Holds both her hands and looked at her with full sincerity.

' She... looks so sincere that she is in verge of crying...look at those tears that is threatening to burst ou-.....'

' Wait...tears?!..'. Looks at her in panic.

"Hey,hey..why are y-...don't cry.. don't."

"Ugh...my bad, I'm just really touched."wipes her tears away by a handkerchief dramatically.

' Ugh...I knew it she's a weirdo...but she's not that bad either...she reminds me of dad who's so over reacting saying that he's touched...' Smile a little unconsciously, but quickly hides it.

"Oh by the way, I'm Emma and you must be miss Kieko right?"

'Miss?...even that maid recently didn't call me miss,why did she...' Looks at her confused.

"You can just call me Kieko"

"Omg, you're really kind... letting me call you just like that-"got cut.

"Nah I think that way it'll be fair since I'm calling you Emma."Walked inside the room.

"Ohh.."

As I walked inside the room I quickly notice that, even though the room is not that good or should I say a little good, it's not that bad either way and it feels a little warm. Maybe it's because it was cleaned really good and nicely.

I look around a bit more and although it didn't have that much furniture but at least it have some important one's. The room is also just as big as my bedroom though a little bit more smaller. The room has two simple bed that suits only one person and is enough for it to turn back and fort, a simple wooden table and chair, a simple wooden Closets, Cabernet, and a drawer , and two lamp was also in there.

"It looks...nice.."

' It makes me feel like I'm home again, though it's not as big as my room... it's so warm.'

"Thank God you liked it, I really worked so hard to clean this room every day and especially today."

"I see..."

"Uhhm...so you'll be sleeping at the bed in the left over there and I'll sleep on the bed in the right...so what do you think about that arrangements?... actually you can tell me if you want to exchange beds since I don't really care about it that much. So where do you think it's more comfortable to sleep, the bed on the left that is near the window or the bed in the right that is near the door?" Said everything in one breath while standing between the two beds.

"I'm fine with it."

'She really talked a lot...but at least she's not as annoying like the others.'

I then walked to my bed and sit on it and as I touch it. I can feel that it is so warm and also seems like it was just dried up in the sun.

' So clean and fresh...it also smell's nice, she must've wash it today.' touching the bed's quilt.

"So how's it?"

Emma looked at me with anticipation, and also with that smile of hers that is just like how mom and dad smiles at me. I just answered a simple answer "good." and then stand up and started walking without direction and then I realized that I don't have 'anything' to unpack as I don't have 'anything' at all, except from the clothes and shoes I'm wearing I don't own anything at all.

"By the way, that maid recently just said that you'd tell me what I should do and that simple words of her also mean something like you'll take care of me from here on and if I have something to ask I should approach you."

"Oh right I almost forgot!"

' Almost? really?...I don't think so.'

" Oh I see...so first before you tell me about my work I want you to tell me where is my belongings."

"Oh, you mean your clothes?"

I nodded and then she turn and walk to the closet and take something from it.

"Here look, the madam said that this should be your uniform from this day on..." She hesitated a little and stammer a little out of nervousness.

I looked at what she was holding and saw that it was a plain back and white dress for a maid. It was not like those pictures I saw on every story, it was only same a little, with it's black and white color but it was too far plain. But anyway I don't have a choice and besides at least I have something to wear and it seems new too.

"Okay...is that part is where my belongings in?" Pointed at the closet.

"Huh?...Oh yeah it was you can check it on your own later..."

She looked at me with that weird eyes and it make me feels really uncomfortable, it's not like I needed some sympathy from anyone. She seems to have no plan to talk again so I decided to break the silence in the room first.

"So what else is there for you to tell me?"

"Huh?..."

"Work..."

"Oh, right, right."

She then walk to her bed and sat on the edge of it facing me and I also turned to her. Then she told me that the madam A.K.A my grandma wants me to join the maids in doing housework and as compensation I get to live here and eat, she also didn't forgot to make sure to tell Emma that I must not feels like I was more superior to the others, because from here on I was nothing but a maid here just like the others. Also because of Emma I get to know that the maid earlier was actually the head maid, and she was the one who has more authority than is normal maids.

I also get to know what my grandma was capable of doing to others without even a little sympathy. I figured that out when Emma told me about the story of a maid. It goes like this, a maid who was cleaning the widow suddenly loose balance and accidentally throw the towel she was using to wipe the window to grandma's dress then grandma only looked at the head maid and walk away while the head maid stays there and lecture the maid , and right at the next day the maid was nowhere to be seen, even her roommate didn't know where she is. Just a week later in that night her roommate saw her finally in their room but she was laying in her bed with her front body and was gasping for air heavily, she seems to be in a lot of pain and when her roommate lift up the quilt she saw a lot of blood in her back oozing non-stop.

And after hearing her story, my thoughts was finally confirmed. I wasn't going to have a good time here especially when I made mistake given how grandma looked at me lately. But I still yet got to figure out why she hated me.

Then just as I was thinking deeply I was suddenly taken back to reality when Emma called me.

"Hey, Keiko...Keiko?"

"Oh...yeah?"

"Oh I thought you weren't listening"

' Yeah I was not at all, and when are you going to stop by the way you were talking non-stop since lately.'

She was talking non-stop and was already so far from the real topic, that's how we get into the story of the maid who was cleaning the window. And I think she doesn't even had any plan to stop talking, she just kept looking for more things to talked.

'Sigh'

"Oh..by the way why did you suddenly jumped at me lately ?"

"Oh.. it's, uhhm... because I was excited that I was finally going to have a roommate you see"

' It feels weird, I don't think she's telling the truth...'

"Oh well look at that it's already this late I didn't think I'll talk that much, maybe I'm just too excited that I've talked three hours. By the way let's sleep early since we need some energy for tomorrow."

Saying so Emma lay down on her bed while her back facing me and just a moment later I already can see that she's sleeping.

' She...'sigh'...maybe I was just over thinking it...'

Then I also lay down facing the ceiling while thinking over all that happened. I just lost my parents and it was on my birthday, why did it have to be on that day and besides I'm just eight years old. We didn't even got the chance to celebrate it, and why do I have to survive when my mom and dad didn't. It's already been months after the accident happened and it's been months since I was in a coma, how can I sleep in those months while my parents was taken away from me. And just as I woke up I learned that I have a grandmother, but she hated me....why is everything's unfair.

At that tears flow slowly in my eyes I was shocked but then again no matter how much I tried to be strong I was just an eighth years old child after all. I turned by back at Emma, facing the window. Outside I can see a dark night sky, it looks so lonely without those star's. No the moon looks so lonely too, no matter how hard it try light up the dark sky...It still can't fill the lonely looking sky, because the moon itself is lonely...

And just like that I cried silently making sure Emma would not be disturb. I don't know when I stopped crying all I know is that I didn't sleep early like what Emma said, I just cried 'till I finally fell asleep.

....................