direction, waiting for the moment where he told on her. His face bore an angry red slash on one cheek and the tip of his nose. Without much of an appetite, Ella pushed her meat around her plate, a

n the faint orange light of their little kitchen. She saw when his gaze rested on her and with purpose, she spooned a small portion of broth into her mouth, heart in her throat as she chewed mechanically. She

your face, Tyson?"

communicate as much as she could without words, pleading with him not to tell but he only eyed her warily

aid briefly, pointedly avo

hold and expected them to be followed. And he definitely didn't like to be crossed. It amazed and warmed her heart that Ty was taking the risk of

ing into fights, Tyson?".

lla". He mumbled, still avoiding his father's eyes. His little lie obvio

mat…

….the children have had a rough day. And besi

small, watery smile and mouthed "thank you". He nodded ever so faintly but it was more than enough. A few moments later, she felt the little fond kick he gave her under the table and looked back up at him. And there it was i

la?

she would have liked, she sat up s

Pap

had noticed that the outlandish band of hair was growing wider, nearly covering the portion of hair up to her ears. Her mother had walked in on her and helped her drape a curtain of dark hair

now, squatting beside her, peering into the stra

thing when her dad c

e from her seat too. "

walking after their mum who had already turned around and was making her way into the room. When the last of him disappeared round the doo

ng to be

nd all over again, she wanted to cry. "Of cour

r kept playing in her mind. She felt her stomach roil each time. There were so many things happening...she couldn't even process them. Nothing made

ender, Ella knew it had to be her mum. Her mother carried her up the little flight of stairs till they were in the attic which actually served as Ella's room and laid her down gently upon her well used mattress of straw. She smoothed

She croa

mum whispered, smilin

going wi

iling at her reassuringly again. "I'll tell y

gripped her hand. "I pushed T

alway

continue. Her voice dropped down to a whisper as she stared up at her mother fearfully. "I had claws

by…

linging to her mother's arm now, her body racked with

ith tears and she pulled her

e too?". A sob racked her body

ead and pulled her tighter against her. "They a

her mother with dewy eyes. "Wha

her face. "You are not a monster, Ariella. What y