The Breaking Point

January 25, 1975

Sophia and Matthew Martin, sixteen and fourteen respectively, ran around the park, laughing and chasing each other. The happiness they felt was fleeting, a brief respite from the oppressive atmosphere at home. Today, they dared to venture outside, knowing the consequences that awaited them.

"We can just run away," Sophia suggested breathlessly, her eyes sparkling with a glimmer of hope.

"Yeah, but they can go to the police and put in a missing report," Matthew replied, taking in the fresh air of the morning.

Sophia tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Tag!" she yelled, and ran off with a mischievous grin.

"I will get you!" Matthew shouted, running after her.

Their mother, Katherine, suddenly appeared, her face contorted with anger. "Kids! I've been f*cking looking for you! Get your asses in the damn car!"

The joy drained from their faces as they walked back to the car, heads bowed. Freedom was always short-lived.

"You got me so f*cking worried!" Katherine snapped as they got in the car.

Matthew rolled his eyes. "Why were you worried about us? You never were!"

Sophia nodded in agreement. Katherine stopped the car and turned to face them, her eyes filled with disdain. "Every mother is going to be worried."

"Well, don't care about us!" Sophia shot back.

Katherine's gaze hardened. She turned back around and muttered under her breath, "He wouldn't approve."

The ride home was silent, tension thick in the air. As they walked into the house, Branson, their father, sat in front of the TV, beer in hand.

"You found the brats?" he asked without looking up.

"Yes, they were at the park with nobody but them," Katherine replied.

Branson finally turned to face them. "You both get your asses upstairs. I don't want to see you until dinner!"

Sophia and Matthew trudged upstairs, slamming the door behind them. They shared a room, finding comfort in each other's presence. School was a distant memory; friends were non-existent. They only had each other.

"I don't wanna be in this shithole anymore," Matthew muttered. "I want to be a man. Even if I'm sixteen, at least I'll be better than Branson."

"Yeah, true," Sophia agreed. "But did you hear about Ted Bundy admitting those crimes? Oh, it was horrible."

"True, it was horrible. Oh, those people he killed, I feel so sorry for their families."

Their conversation was interrupted by Katherine's yelling from downstairs. "Sophia! Get your ass down here! We need to talk to you!"

Sophia sighed. "Well, I guess I have another beating for no reason."

"I'm sorry that I'm too weak to protect you," Matthew said, guilt evident in his voice.

"It's okay because we will get through this together, like we always do. Remember? You and me against the world."

Matthew smiled as Sophia went downstairs. The argument that ensued was about their neighbor's son, Trevor, whom their parents wanted Sophia to date.

Sophia's voice was filled with frustration as she stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Why do you care who I date? I don't even like Trevor!"

Katherine crossed her arms, her face stern. "Trevor's family is respectable. It's time you started acting like a lady."

Sophia's fists clenched at her sides. "I'm fourteen years old and you're treating me like I'm a damn adult! But you get mad when I do act like one. Oh, the standards are not adding up!"

Branson, overhearing the argument, stormed into the room. "Don't you yell at me, you f*cking slut! You will date him whether you like it or not!"

"F*ck you! I hate you so much!" Sophia screamed back.

The house fell silent, the echoes of their fight lingering in the air.

Upstairs, Matthew broke the silence. "They want you to date the neighbor's son Trevor. I don't even like him; he's just like our parents. That's what I heard before."

"I heard it all, Sophia. I don't blame you. Trevor is a bully and not really a respectful man. I mean, he kicks kids for a living," Matthew replied.

"Yeah, and they want me to go through even more abuse? Life here is hard enough. Life is hard in general," Sophia sighed.

"You know, someday they will get put in their place. Like something happens to them," Matthew said, a hint of darkness in his voice.

"I'll be happy if something happens to them. I can get the hell away from them," Sophia replied.

They both laughed, a shared moment of bitter relief.

"Well, there's nothing to do. So I might as well write in my diary," Sophia decided.

"I'm going to draw," Matthew said, pulling out some drawing papers.

Sophia took out her diary and began to write.

---

January 25, 1975

Today, Matthew and I played in the park, but of course, our mother had to take away our freedom.

Why do they hate us so much? Why do I have to date the neighbor's son? I know deep inside it's not about respect. It's about getting rid of me and Matthew one by one.

Well, I say if anything happens to them, I won't care. They deserve everything they will get for what they're putting us through. Now they will know respect goes both ways.

To get killed or to be killed.

For hate,

Sophia

---

As Sophia wrote, Matthew focused on his drawing, each stroke of the pencil reflecting his anger and frustration.

Matthew muttered to himself, "Mga bobo sila. Sana mamatay sila para iwan tayo."

Sophia looked up from her diary. "Calm down, Matthew. They will get what's coming for them. Someday or another."

They both smiled at each other and went back to what they were doing, finding solace in their shared understanding and quiet rebellion.

---

Sophia and Matthew sat at the dinner table, their parents' eyes boring into them with a mix of expectation and displeasure. The air was tense, filled with unspoken resentment and the lingering echoes of earlier arguments.

"You were pretty quiet upstairs about the conversation we had. You still don't wanna," Katherine remarked, breaking the silence.

"Oh my God. I don't want to date him! He is a bastard! A bully! You just want to get rid of me," Sophia retorted, her voice filled with frustration and anger.

Branson muttered under his breath, "You damn right."

Sophia's temper flared. "Oh damn well because I'll be with you to your last fucking breath."

"We've given you enough!" Katherine snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"Enough what?! Abuse? Hatred? No damn freedom?!" Sophia shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.

Branson's face darkened. "Sophia, shut the hell up!"

"You shut up!" Matthew interjected, his voice surprisingly strong and firm.

The room erupted into a cacophony of yelling and accusations, each word laced with years of pent-up frustration and bitterness. Sophia and Matthew stood their ground, their defiance palpable.

After what felt like an eternity of arguing, Sophia and Matthew abruptly stood up from the table. "Well, enjoy your life as you can," Matthew declared with a tone of finality.

They stormed out of the dining room, leaving their stunned parents behind. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the hallway as they marched upstairs to their shared room, their minds already swirling with thoughts of escape and rebellion.

Downstairs, Katherine and Branson were left speechless, their authority momentarily shattered by their children's unexpected defiance. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken tension and the realization that something had shifted irreversibly.

---

Sophia and Matthew retreated to their room, the walls around them offering a fragile sanctuary from the turmoil downstairs. They knew they couldn't continue like this, trapped in a cycle of abuse and control. In the quiet of their shared space, they began to quietly discuss their next steps, their voices hushed but determined.

"Matthew, we can't keep living like this," Sophia said softly, her eyes pleading with her brother.

"I know, Sophia. We have to find a way out," Matthew replied, his jaw set in determination.

"We have to start a new life somewhere far from here," Sophia suggested, hope flickering in her eyes.

Matthew hesitated for a moment, considering the risks. "It's risky, but maybe it's our only chance to be free."

Sophia nodded, feeling a surge of adrenaline at the thought of liberation. "We'll have to plan carefully. Wait for the right moment."

As they talked, Sophia pulled out her diary and began to write again, her words flowing with a mix of hatred and determination.

---

January 25, 1975

Today was another day of hell. They want me to date Trevor, that bully from next door. I refused, and all hell broke loose at dinner. Matthew stood up for me. We argued with our parents like never before.

I can't stand this anymore. I don't know how much longer I can endure their abuse. Matthew and I need to escape. We need to find a way out, away from this prison they call home.

I don't care what happens to them anymore. They deserve whatever comes their way. We deserve to be free.

To freedom,

Sophia

---

Matthew paced the room, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. "We'll need money, a plan to disappear without a trace..."

Sophia nodded, her determination matching his. "We'll figure it out, Matthew. We'll make sure they never hurt us again."

As they spoke, the night stretched on, their resolve growing stronger with every passing moment. They were determined to forge their own path, no matter the cost.

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