1 Chapter. 1 The Start of our Vacation

I have been pondering on my past life for a while. Does anybody know how I feel? Or what I go through? Of course not. Everybody has their own problems and there are people I have met that have been through way more shit in life then me. But that will not stop me from telling my story. My name is Viviana Reyes, or Vi for short; yes, yes a weird name but who am I to complain? It's unique in its own way. I have five older brothers. I hate them all. They have no idea what I have been through and to tell you the truth, I just want to live on my own. But nooo I can't. After my parent's death, the court gave my eldest brother William the privileges' to be my legal guardian. Yippee.

So here I am, the one year anniversary of when my traumatic incident happened and nobody but me knows about it. I don't know if I am ready to tell you all what exactly happened for the man who ruined my life forever will legally never be able to be near me again. One because we live in different states and two because I have a restraining order against him. I know right? I kind of think it's cool, having a restraining order. He he.

Yeah, He was the one who beat me and raped me.. He was the one who had lied but I guess being a Veteran and a national guard person he gets a disadvantage. Stupid policemen. But shhhh, nobody can know the truth. Nobody! So here you go, the first chapter to my sad yet interesting life story.

I feel a world of peace around me, maybe that is because I have taught myself to block out the negativity in my life, or maybe that is because my brothers have blocked out the negative around me. But I don't care; I am happy with where I stand, where I'm going, and what is happening. I just finished school with all A's and am currently in the honors society! Oh yeah, I'm 8 years old by the way. :-D

Anyways, it's summer and you all know what that means! Finally, vacation! My brothers dragged me to our huge mansion in California in the middle of our forest in the middle of nowhere. Yeay (sarcasm). I'm a real brat for an 8 year old and my family was raised on extremely serious punishments no matter what age. Stupid brothers and spanking me when I act up. It's not my fault I suffer from Postural Tachycardia Syndrome or P.o.t.s for short.

Basically I suffer from irregular heartbeat, and with that comes maybe symptoms like occasional fainting, nauseous, poor concentration, chest pains, and a shit load of therapy. Haha that is always fun! Well, I like being on my own, yeah I have a big room with an attached master bathroom and a flat screen, but I also have my favorite hiding place in my special cave in our forest. I keep all my secrets and thoughts locked up in there ;)

After unpacking all my things in their proper place (yeah yeah I'm a neat freak) I yelled out to my brother's, "hey! Guys?! I'm going for a walk okay?!"

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't go too far! You know how William gets." yelled my twin brother Cody.

Quickly, I sneak out the back door and disappear into the forest surrounding our backyard. I make my way through the meadow and following my secret path I created a couple of years ago, I finally arrive at my secret cave.

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Getting lost in your own mind is an amazing feeling.. Not knowing what you're going to imagine next. I was leaning against the cave wall, a small creek and waterfall ran alongside the right end of the outer cave walls and entrance. I am small enough to crawl in without getting wet. The noise of the birds singing, the water running, the trees dancing in the wind had me deep in my meditation session I try to do regularly and when I woke up after realizing I accidentally fell asleep, I saw that three hours had passed. I climb out of the cave and notice the sky is darkening. I guess nature sounds and not being able to sleep properly because of school helped me fall asleep. My comfy cave is dark, cold, and the perfect place for a nap with nature as your lullaby. Now to explain to my brothers... Good thing I know this forest real good or I would be lost. Arriving around 7:30pm, I opened the back door to encounter an extremely angry brother. He grabs my upper arm real tight and drags me to the family room where, surprise! All my brothers are lounging around.

During my entrance, they all sit up straight and Cody says, "Come on twin! I thought you knew better. Not even one day and you're already in trouble!"

I turn around to say something sarcastic, William catches me in time saying,"Don't even think about it, young lady. You are in enough trouble as it is!"

Then he roughly throws me on an empty white chair facing my family that is sitting on the comfy white sofa. I sit up as straight as I can, I know how much William hates it when I act lazy. I look around at all the angry, disappointed and worried faces that make up my brothers and wait for the lecturing to begin.

"What did she say to you exactly before she left, Cody?" asks William

"I'm going for a quick walk brothers." answered Cody

"I can explain!" I wait for a minute, expecting somebody to decline my one opportunity to defend myself. Shocked, I continue, "I.. I was at the cave. And.. U hmm.. I fell asleep! I swear! When I woke, it was late. I'm sorry brothers I truly am."

No one says anything at all. They just stare at me until my second oldest brother, Dean, stands up, picks me up and carries me on his hip all the way upstairs to his room. I'm not impressed, being 4'10" and weighing at 90lbs, all my brothers carry me and treat me as if I were still six. Once inside, he lays me down on his bed, sits down next to me, and puts his head in his hands, threading his fingers through his hair. He's stressed, oh god I made Dean stressed. This is not a good sign at all! I crawl over his lap and hug him. He grabs my shoulders and puts me at eye level.

Angrily he says, "Do you know how much trouble you put us through? Worry?! To imagine our sister in her room one second, taking a walk BY HERSELF! And not RETURNING?! You're sick Viviana! You cannot be alone like that! What if you got an attack? Or stopped breathing? You do not know what to do sweetheart!" he was yelling one minute, but noticing my teary eyes, he calmed down.

Once my full name is used, I know I'm really in for it! "I'm sorry Dean. I am! I only wanted to think for a little bit. Next thing I know, it's 7:00. Please don't spank me brother.."

"Baby, you're not going to be spanked. Okay? We understand, I promise we do! But next time this happens, I will place you over my knee in a heartbeat okay? We cannot risk the chance of losing you."

"I love you Dean" I say through my sobs.

"Come, pj's first then dinner okay? Then bed."

"Okay" I don't even try to argue with him, I'm not sleepy, but that is an argument for after dinner. Plus, I'm starving!