CHAPTER 10

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Let's go play, papa." When I opened the door to my parents' bedroom as a four-year-old, I jumped up and down. When I saw him standing on top of someone, I pause.

"Papa, what are you doing?" I asked with a smirk on my face. He looks enraged when he sees me, grabs up the pillow next to me, and tosses it at me, causing me to fall to the ground from the force of the blow.

He yelled "GET OUT" as I gaped at him and began to cry. My sobbing become tears as I get to my feet.

I screamed "PAPA" in the hopes that he would somehow defend me, but as soon as I saw him get up from the bed and go into the closet, I bolted for my room. He grabs hold of me and drags me to the punishment chamber as my feet are unable to get me very far.

I scream out while writhing in his grasp, "NO, I'm SORRY." I freeze in place and the tears just get worse with a whack to the face.

I nod again and try to close my eyes as he says, "I told you never to interrupt me, didn't I?" He adds in between slaps.

"Good. He yells, "Now stay in here," knocks me off of him, and then exits through the door. I flinch open my eyes to see the woman smirking menacingly from above.

She quietly exits the room, locking the door behind me without saying a word. I limped over to the corner after understanding from looking up that I was safe. I sob into the teddy bear I gave the name Maya.

"Why is papa doing this, Maya?" I look down at all the scars he left on my body and sob through my tears. The teddy bear only gives me a blank stare.

"Maya, do you think Papa will release us?" I inquire like a four-year-old with an innocent expression. The teddy bear turns to face me once more, and this time a faint voice emerges from it when I squeeze it.

The question "Maya speaks?" I pressed it after asking again. When I hear that same whisper again, it causes the tears to stop streaming down my face, and I grin.

Maya, we'll say goodbye from here, I say, and this time I look assured. Papa looks up at me when the door suddenly creaks open. I back up and sag into the corner as I take a wary look at him.

He cries and bows his head in front.

"I apologize, sweet youngster. I'm not sure what happened to me. He cries out, "I'm so sorry, please forgive papa. I was unable to do anything but stare at him as more tears welled up. Since I am four years old and have only known innocence, I run back to his arms since that is what I do best.

I give him a second hug and say, "It's okay, Papa," while he sobs on my shoulder.

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I groan, "Maya," as I open my eyes, sweat trickling down my cheeks. Roman is nowhere to be found, but Lorenzo is still sitting in the same spot using his computer.

"Are you okay?" I hum in return while he asks a question in a monotone. As soon as I see my father's face, I start to lose focus once more and become disoriented. I closed my eyes in an effort to avoid seeing it, but it seemed as though they were still torturing me long after he had passed away.

Since you are awake and it is getting late, I'm going to leave. He explains to me icily as he shuts the laptop and gets out of the chair.

"Wait, what time is it?" I inquire

He answers, gazing down at his watch, "2:34am."

"Okay. I say, "Good night," and he nods in agreement. In an effort to think of anything at all, I swivel my head to look the opposite direction.

"Night. Also, Bella, if you're going to lie, at least be subtle about it." He added, exiting the room. I watch in shock as he closes the door behind him while coming to get it.

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What do you fear the most?