Chapter One

I paced the attic, nervously chewing my nails. I couldn't hear the conversation below me but it could not be good.

I slowly knelt to the floor, placing my ear to it. Silence. Is there not a discussion? What's going on? What is my fate? I sighed, and stood up only to fall onto my bed. Or rather. The mattress on the floor of the attic: my bedroom. My stomach growls and I roll over, agitated at my body's reminder to me that I'm hungry. I already know I won't be allowed dinner tonight.

"SARYN!" I was jolted awake by Jess's harsh tone. Jess is my half-sister. We share the same father. My mother fell pregnant with me having an affair with my father, and dropped me on his doorstep when I was four years old to "find herself"

It's been thirteen years, so I guess she's still looking.

"You've done it now. Mom is furious!" I rolled my eyes at her tone, before remembering what happened last night. 'Shit!' I thought to myself. Josie was being her usual antagonistic self and making messes while I did my chores. She was extra annoying, and the more I ignored her the more she tried to get a rise out of me. For the third time I scrubbed the foyer's floor. She walked outside, and came back in holding a potted plant. She threw it on the floor. "Oops!" She giggled. Furious, I started toward her. "Back off freak! And clean up this mess!" She retorted, as she turned around, flipping her hair. She thinks she is so superior to me. With clenched fists I imagined dumping the mop water onto her. I turned to grab the broom and heard a splashing sound. Josie shrieked "How dare you! Mom! Saryn has gone mental!" My stepmother appeared from the study and furrowed her brow.

Once swift movement and I felt a sting of pain on my face that made my vision go for a second. I had to recuperate quickly as she was already dragging me up the stairs. She threw me into my room and I heard the click of the lock as she turned it to endure I couldn't leave.

Jess frowned. "I'm sorry. It's going to be bad this time"