1. Her

Another night..

Another misunderstanding.

Another scolding.

Another silent kid.

Another crying yourself to sleep.

Another new dark bag under your eyes.

Another nightmare.

All of these combined, give birth to another new story. My name, Charlotte Brown. Age, 19. My family doesn't understand me. They only argue... And fight.

"Violence is the key to Silence." That's what my father believes in.

Last month, mum told me that I must get a good job to get a good husband. I don't see how this is so "Good"? I feel like all I do is to become a reproduction machine for my so called future husband.

— Stereotypical.

I lost all my friends few months ago. I didn't care, I don't now. I'm good on my own I don't need them to help me. They just used me anyway.

— Betrayed.

I've been brainwashed since my childhood. Men are to lead. Women are to follow. And the only accepted combination is that of a Man and a Woman. Maybe that's why, last week when we found brother Alvin kiss another guy on the alleyway, everybody was shocked. His skin tone was a darker than ours. Mum said it's a sin. So the neighbours beat that guy up, almost killing him.

— Homophobic & Racist.

I wished to go to a boarding school at some point of my life. Yeah, the most feared place of all kids. But I believe that place is better than the 'Home' I'm living in.

— Toxic.

I've tried running away countless times. I always got caught and punished. They had quite a unique way to punish me, though. The old dark storeroom filled with thousands of insects. Lock her up, that's it! Oh, she's shouting? Let her, just focus on your meal.

— Child Abuse.

Don't get me wrong, we weren't like this before. Everyone changes, right? So did we. Maybe it's just me who got stupider amongst all. That must be it! I am stupid enough to think that it was normal for them to be mad at me, a stupid person. It's okay to beat me up. To almost kill your daughter... I remember my bruises and the sight of fresh blood trickling down my spine. Yet I hanged onto them, like an idiot.

— Hopeless.

Luckily I found this kind family who took care of me. I know I won't last long. I told aunt that it's of no use, but she won't give up. She says it'll be alright but I know that's a lie. It's not surprising that I'm dying so young. The thing that's surprising is that I'm dying in a hospital instead of that old storeroom, back in that house where I was born.

— Grateful.

Sometimes, I wonder if my family thinks about me. Think where I went. Think when I'll come back, worried. Everytime I think about it, I only see them not minding me at all and focussing on their meals. But it doesn't matter anymore. These last few months, I had somebody by my side who actually cared for me. Someone I can call Family. Although we part early, I'm ever so grateful to have met them. I might not have been able to give them anything, but I promise to bless and protect them from above. I will make sure they never go through what I had to deal with. Ever.

— Determination.

...~ fin.~...

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