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I remember that day vaguely when I was created. Father used to tell me of it too when I was younger.
Father claimed I was going to be a gift to him and this other parent…One I assume whose DNA combined with him to build me. Father was so ecstatic for the child he just made. A girl who had a beautiful face and flowing lilac hair. A girl he would treasure for life and raise to be as intelligent as him. A girl he would be proud of. However, when he went to show me to my other parent, all proud of the daughter they had, the other parent looked at me with disgust. Father was confused. What was so wrong with me that my other parent was so disappointed in me? I know now it was because I looked more like my father than them.
When I was 2, I was taken away from Father forcefully. I screamed and cried while begging for him to help me. Father couldn't do anything. No, he was helpless himself because of that monster. That monster who threatened to break up with him because they hated him. During those 3 years, they abused me. Hit me. Punched me. Forced me to do things. And all the while, I cried and wished Father would come to help me. They told me my Father would do worse and he hated me. They told me my Father was abusive.
I started to believe Father didn't like me anymore. I gave up hope. Let my other parent abuse me until I die. Let them kill me. Let them neglect me.
But one fateful day…when I was 5, it took me by surprise. That day was the day it all ended. Father came back for me. He saw what they did to me.
And he was furious.
I could only watch as Father shouted at them. Words like "how could you touch my daughter like that?!" "What made you think abusing us was okay?!" "You're a sick, pedophilic bastard!" as he kicked them. Then he turned to me. I was scared he would do it to me too, but he just held me tight and took my hand as we walked out.
His last words to my other parent around me were: "You're a pathetic waste of space, Sky."
And we never saw him again.
Even though I'm an adult now, I still think of the days where I was abused. The horrible memories of my other parent. The amount of trauma I endured at that young age. My Father has been doing lots to support me. All along with Stepdad, my younger sibling who Father raised named Platinum, and my stepsister Rose. Though I'm happier to be with them and that they're doing everything they could, I still feel helpless. I should be over it by now, but I'm not. Father says it's because I was abused for so long, but even so…It happened almost 17 years ago. Shouldn't it…be gone by now? I shouldn't have to have nightmares of this incident still. I shouldn't be afraid to show any type of emotion. I shouldn't feel like my father would hit me every time I made a mistake.
I ponder it all as I sat on the couch, staring into my freshly brewed Chamomile tea as I await for it to cool down. Everyone else had gone to bed and it was around 2 AM. I was all alone. Pondering my thoughts in my pajamas. Searching for answers to my questions. Mulling over possibilities of what-ifs. I hadn't realized I was getting sleepy til my eyelids went heavy, putting down my tea on the coffee table before going to sleep.
—
When I awoke in a dream, I found myself in that same house. The same house where I faced the abuse. My chest grew tighter as I grimaced as I recalled what happened. Coming home to my other parent calling me names and hitting me. Them being so angry at me. Their hands on my body. Fingers pressing hard on sensitive areas. It was horrible. So horrible. My skin crawled. My stomach churned. My throat tightened.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching me and I crawled back into a wall in fear. I cowered in the corner as I heard the same growls and snarls from their mouth. The noises coming from my door seemed to shake the walls as well. They sounded angry and dangerous. Even threatening for my systems to indicate danger was near.
"So, you came back huh? You damn bitch."
My eyes shot open at that voice. The person who abused me when I was a kid. Their eyes burned with anger. Like they always did when they saw that I returned. Their face twisted into pure fury. My heart felt like it was in my throat. I was shaking uncontrollably. Tears threatened to spill, but I forced them back.
"Akira...You look exactly like your Father. How about we have a bit of fun, don't we?"
They reached for me. They were grabbing my shoulders as I struggled in their grip to get free. My vision began to blur as I sobbed and thrashed in their grip. They threw me across the room, making my head slam against the side of a dresser before crashing onto the carpet floor. They stood above me. One leg on either side of my legs. Their hand wrapped itself around my neck, squeezing until my airway was completely shut off. With no oxygen in my lungs or air flowing through my lungs, tears rolled down my cheeks from both pain and horror. I opened my mouth to let out one scream, hoping someone would....
—
I woke up screaming, sitting up and panting heavily as I realized where I was. I was still on the same couch I slept on, now sweating as my senses came to reality. Metallic footsteps came down from the stairs as Rose rushed to check on me.
"Akira!"
I turned to look at her, still scared from the nightmare I was dreaming about. At that point, I didn't realize how tears were running down my face as she ran towards me.
"Are you okay, big sis? I heard you screaming.." She asked, hugging me tight while looking up at me.
"Yeah…" I replied. "I…I just had a nightmare, that's all."
Another pair of footsteps came down as I saw Father, who had rushed down to make sure I was okay. Rose looked at him, letting him get close to me.
"Akira! What happened?" He asked me.
"Nothing, Father. Just a bad dream, that's all."
He looked towards Rose, who nodded and went back upstairs as he sat next to me. For a moment, I let my tears fall as I hugged his arm.
"I wish it would go away…" I croaked, trying not to sob. "I just…I feel so bad knowing you guys are doing so much for me and…"
"No, I understand you. Having to deal with all that at a young age is just…I should’ve been there sooner." He replied, rubbing my head. "...Or really, I should’ve saw it coming when he tried to take you away."
"I just don't get it…" I whispered. "What did I do to deserve any of that, Father?"
"You did nothing, my girl. They were just a sick bastard to begin with."
I look up at Father as I wiped my tears.
"What matters is that you're safe here with us." He held me close. "If he ever tries to hurt you again, I'll make sure his fingers are cut off. Or slit that fucker's throat. Or make him scream for mercy as I tear him limb from limb!"
He clutched me tight as he said that and I could see the anger flash through his eyes. Granted, Father suffered the same thing from them. He was also abused in several ways by my other parent. My abuse however made him hurt worse than he already was, including blaming himself for not doing anything sooner to save me. I know Father would've had he had not been threatened.
I hugged Father tight, which made him stop seething and look at me with such a gaze I could tell it was just him wanting to cry for everything I went through. Yet, just like me, he isn't good with emotional vulnerability but in front of his children. He hugged me back as he rubbed my head.
"I think you should head upstairs and go to bed for now, alright? Try not to think too much about them for now." He said as he let go of me and got up. "And trust me, he will be dealt with accordingly should the day come."
I nodded, getting up from the couch and going upstairs. "Night, Father."
He nodded, leaving to get ready for what I assume was his work.
I walked through the hallways of the upstairs floor. Seeing Plat and Rose asleep in their respective pods, I went to my room to do so as well. I laid in my pod, trying to calm my racing heartbeat down to sleep. After a few minutes, it settled and I drifted my eyes closed again. I tried telling myself I was safe and away from their harm. Father will protect me if anything bad happens. He and my family will protect me from them. I'm sure of it.
And I drifted to sleep again.