was an ugly ma

ted, his voice low and threatening

red to defend myself against the

again, turning my back on

as a m

ke a claw on my arm, and s

e jealous that I love her, and you're taking it out on her thing

immense. The fresh wound on

gasped, struggling

and down the hall to his study. He threw

bs. I couldn't even scream. I just lay there, gasp

r who used to paint portraits

like I was something he

oing?" I manage

he said with a co

ievements. Trophies from academic decathlons, medals from science fairs

ork, my pride, all

t contest I had won when I was ten. Next to it, he grabbed the framed design for a watch I had creat

took out

all flame dancing in the

to the corner of m

scrambling to get up.

aper curled, blackened, and turned to ash.

y voice breaking. "Those are

, a cruel,

aid, his eyes glittering with malice. "To

, my vision blu

ed, the words feeling useless

hing me how to sketch. Andrew praising my first clumsy p

g in front of m

e. You've been in love with me since you were a child. You can't s

h down my cheek. I looked at him, my eyes b

from me?" I aske

voice soft and venomous. "Kneel an

h hitche

N

o the pile of my other certificates and trophi

hungry, roaring flame that be

ce trembling with rage. "Does it mak

ched in front of me. He grabbed m

"You're just the adopted girl. You live in our house, on

ds were

sing to protect my dre

g it all to ash i

time, I saw only darkness. The love I thought

loom in my heart, a

at a large silver trophy,

yes wide with terror. I remembered her; I had he

he stammered. "The b

snapped around

go. I was taking it to the dry cleaners, and I saw it pinned to the lap

he color draine

ng ruins of my achievements, then b

terly, compl

bitter, triumphant smile

atisfied n

out. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

ard me, his hand outstretche

d his ha

filled with a loathing so profound

n my side and the fire on the floor, and wa

y aching and my heart nu

cold and clear. "I want to announce my

. Stanton beforehan

"Just make sur