Time Skip: One Week Later

School was hell.
I started defending myself whenever I could-  but it was no use, I would still lose. I would try and try and try but every time I would get beaten, almost to the point of losing consciousness. It was all Shaun- no sign of Lydia.

I hid the rest of the beatings from Jenna- she didn't need to worry, plus the last time we reported things got worse. So I used some makeup we bought to hide the bruises, and I got better at lying about being competitive in gym.

Tyler started to notice changes in me. He saw my quietness, loss of appetite, my sleep schedule was off and I didn't want to do anything. He grew increasingly concerned.
On my way to school today, Tyler parked the car and turned to me.

"Marie...you seem...different. Is everything okay? You know you can always talk to me about ANYTHING right?"

"Yeah, I know" I turned, trying to leave the car as I responded, but then felt a tight grip around my wrist.

"No, Marie, listen. You can talk to me about ANYTHING, whenever you need help. I'm here for you. Even though I'm still upset about the keyboard, I don't hate you. I want you to be okay."

I was shocked by the seriousness in his tone and the reality set in his eyes.

"Y-yeah dad...I love you."
"I love you too kiddo."

He finally released me as I walked back into the building.
He was still mad at me about the keyboard?
A wave of guilt flooded over my head as I looked to the ground and continued to walk.

I fucking broke one of his prized possessions and he's still upset. He'll never forgive me. I'm such a failure.

I waited for my morning beatings...but they never came. Neither did my lunch beatings. Maybe they gave up?

Why was I so naive to have hope?

On the way to my first class I was pulled into the girls bathroom.

"Oh look, it's the cutter again. Or should I say- murderer?" Lydia and her friends had me up against the bathroom wall.

"W-What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Oh! The morning news hasn't came on yet! Be sure to watch, dipshit. Karma's a bitch." Her group walked away and I stood there in confusion.

I was worried. What did they do?
I waited for the morning announcements.
My leg was shaking out of nervousness, my heart beating out of anticipation.
Every classroom has a TV in it, and two students from student council read off club announcements and such before class begins, but I usually ignore it...

...until I heard it.

"Hello and welcome to Ford 26 News, we have a heartbreaking story for you tonight. Three family members were lost in a fire with one survivor- the daughter and sister of the Crawfords- Marie Anne Crawford. Police suspect arson and attempted homicide. Marie will be investigated, as well as the neighbors and other relatives."

I turned to the TV, mouth agape. It was the old news report from the fire.

The a photo of me with devil horns drawn on appeared on the screen.

"Marie Crawford is. MURDERER. She burned her whole family alive! How can anyone trust her? She's obviously mentally insane! First she kills her family, then she starts cutting herself!"

I couldn't recognize the voice, it was edited, but a photo of my arm was posted on the TV.

This can't be happening.

"Don't talk to this pathetic loser! She-"
The TV was shut off.

We turned around to see a flustered teacher with the remote.

"I'm sorry that you had to see that class, someone must've hacked into the TV systems and changed the news. This is not a funny prank. It's horrible."

The teacher looks at me.

"Marie, I'm so s-"

Before he could even finish, I bolted out of there with my bag. The teacher called for me, but I ignored it.
I bumped into some students on the way out.

"Hey, watch it, cutter!" One girl said.
"Oh, better beware, she's probably off to commit arson!" Another boy laughed.

I realized there's no escape. No way out of this mess. I'm doomed to forever be treated this way. I'm done. I'm exhausted. I'm tired of trying. Why do I even bother?

I ran home, tears pouring down my cheeks as I breathe heavily trying not to pass out. My ugly sobs turn into hiccups, inaudible noises and wheezing. My lungs burned.
I've never cried this hard before. I only cried like this after the fire.

I now know where I belong in this world.

Except now it's not a matter of "where"...

...it's a matter of "if".