A/N: /!\ warnings /!\ could contain some triggers /!\ trudge forward carefully /!\ Thank you so much for sparing some of your precious time on this! Should there be errors or confusion or whatever, don't hesitate to point it out. Well then, please take care of yourselves!

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Cassidy was desperate and at her wits' end, living in hell through High school.

The one year her daddy promised her a place at Osby High's boarding school, turned to a moot point after some protests from Henry and Jordan.

They didn't like the debauchery reigning at the dorms, and wanted to keep her away from the ill-mannered boys there. They wanted to protect her innocence.
They were so derisively ironic, Cassidy wanted to scream at them, how she would rather live in debauchery than with Hades in hell, and that she wasn't so "innocent" anymore.

She was mindlessly angry with them all for trying to protect her, rather than warning her of what danger lurks outside her room from mommy's home. But, they let her younger self blissfully ignorant, in her bubble with her kiddy books. And now because of that, she didn't know how to protect herself, didn't know what to do, and it was far too late already.

Because now Anthony's hell house was all built, and of course she moved along.

She had a room for herself with a key, but he would always find a way to make her open the door.

There was one occurrence when she didn't open it, escaping her cruel reality through blaring music with her headphones. He practically broke down the door.
Since then, he took out the key, declaring it dangerous should a fire break out, and that she wouldn't be able to make it.

"What a load of rubbish," she had thought then. It was all the little show he maintained for his little wifey Mina and everyone else.

When Cassidy wasn't at school, she babysat Ryder and Ryan, then when wifey Mina was out with her sister Tina, Hades would roam around until the kids were asleep, then slip in her room.

Eventually, her grades took a toll.
Then she became quite well acquainted with the guidance counsellor, even though it was mostly for one-sided conversations on his part, as she kept silent.

Her mommy and daddy would show her some understanding and comfort, thinking high school level was just too high and straining, even for her.
Everyone was sympathetic and understanding, even though no one really could, as they didn't know the truth behind her downfall, nor about her nightmarish life.

And Hades played along the perfect concerned big brother, fooling everyone with his angelic smiles and his preachy advises.

But even through her hellish life, Cassidy desperately tried to hang on some little hope for a better tomorrow. Her lifeline and last thread, the guidance counsellor unintentionally threw at her, rested on studying abroad.
Yes, there was the unknown to consider, but it would be so much more freeing than here on mainland. Anything else was better than here.

And she could finally be like those carefree stupid other girls amongst her peers, just like she craved to be now, since the beginning of her nightmare.

Even though, her only regret is that she would have to leave everything behind to start all over, mainly her mommy and daddy, and her heart with them at home on the island.

But, she could finally be able to move on, and this time, she would be more prepared. Because now, she would know better about those terrible things mommy and daddy shielded her from.

For now, she just have to hang on... she just have to endure it for just a little bit more, after all, she's finally seeing the end by finishing high school.

Standing before the mirror, she searches for her mother's little girl, but could not recognise the reflection in front of her. Ceasing her soul's silent cries, she puts away the shattered pieces of her heart, in order to put on her fake paper fin armor behind her pathetic smile.

Then, she finishes her preparations for another round in hell, with a little prayer even though it seems like praying in vain, and then to give herself some little strength, "Just hang in there for a little bit more Cassy, you're almost there," she repeats in her head like a mantra.

"Just a little bit more..."