ine'

yself daydreaming about my present, specifically h

reopened my eyes and returne

oment, I felt compelled

feelings on a piece of paper, using black paint to capture the fear coiling in

unlatched my room door and was pleasantly surprised to see her face

scholarship exams. I've worked hard to get this mone

at the same time. Where did she get all this from? She

the best mom in the wor

d time again: Jasmine can't make me proud; she's just useless." My dad, who

took long ago. It had been a long time since I had written an exam. Now

ded. He snatched the money from my hand and

plessly watching him

She couldn't do anything to stop him. She wrapped her arms around me, b

want to see t

come up with anything. I stood by the door as the knob twisted. I gripped the rod I had been using for my painting, clustering it in my hands, wa

I murmured to myself

g the rod to hit him, knowing that my mother wouldn't stop him from taking my scholarship exam money. Hitti

his man has caused me nothing but pain." His presence annoyed me further, and I felt myself going wack

stripped f

my dad gave me a sharp slap across the face.

taunted, and then he punched m

nts your father to die," he s

h something was piercing my heart, and I coul

who my real father is!

she didn't want to leave him. I didn't think I could continue to endure my father's heinou

daughter, so why should I take hi

is house for him." My words felt like daggers p

her for better or worse. No matter how difficult he is, I should stay by

I kill Daddy so that you can be happy. Tha

ing full well how my words would be received. From the way she glance

ed her voice as she wondered how she had

I exclaimed, desperate for her to

e a killer. Don't worry; we will

the feeling that I was trapped in a nightmare that would never end. I lay in

s footsteps approaching. I wanted to be able to laugh and play without looking over my shoulder. My dreams o

hannel the anger and sadness that threatened to overwhelm me. Each stroke of the bru

ld live free from fear. I painted the sun shining bright, flowers bloom

r my dad's angry voice in the distance, and it woul

arents arguing. My father's voice boomed, filled with rage, while my mother's tone was

words. The argument escalated, and I felt a surge of anger boiling within me. How co

my mother, her eyes puffy and red from crying. I rus

m?" I whispered, f

old argument. He's just frustrate

urting you, and I can't stand it!" I

re. We have to stay strong," she said

rm within me. "I just want us to be free fro

her hands. "I know it's hard, but we will

felt both comforting and empty. I wanted to believe her, b

eling of despair. I wanted to break free from this cycle of pain, to find a

freedom. My dreams of attending Kisco High School were not just about education; they symbolized hope for a b

m. I wouldn't let fear control my life anymore. I would be