*Flashback*

Hayley's POV

Your parents are supposed to be the people who protect you. You don't know anything, and its their job to teach you. They're suposed to offer their undying love...it doesn't always happen I guess. Things were good up until my 5th birthday.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hayley's 5th birthday 

"We're gonna finish the cupcakes, daddy will be home soon!" Hayley's mom smiled and kissed her daughter's head. 

Hayley eagerly continued frosting the cupcakes. She had everything she needed and more, but her parents always made her birthdays special, and she couldn't wait to see what her dad brought home for her. Her mom kissed her head and took her to the living room just as the door was opening, but her father didn't seem the same. The usually happy man seemed sullen and angry.

"Honey are you alright?" Her mom asked.

Hayley's dad looked at her "no! I'm shitty.....I got fucking fired!" He stumbled, clearly drunk.

Her mom rolled her eyes "maybe you shouldn't have been drinking at work, again."

He squinted "excuse me bitch?"

"You heard me." Hayley cowered behind her mother's leg as her father stepped close, he smacked his wife hard across the face.

"DON'T EVER DISRESPECT ME AGAIN!" He yelled. 

That was the catalyst that started everything. Hayley's dad had a hard time finding a job and lived off unemployment checks, and his drinking habit got worse. If Hayley ever spoke she was shown consequences. Once all she did was say "I love you" to her dad. He smacked her.

'Shut up and go to bed you little shit!" He yelled in the 6 year old's face

Her mother was gonna most of the time, working, having an affair with another man, she wanted to forget her home life, and hayley was part of that. Hayley eventually caught on as she got older. She didn't speak, and barely ate, only sneaking to the kitchen when her father went to bed. 

One day a neighbor happened to peak in the window, they saw a weak looking Hayley struggling to lift a glass of water to her mouth. She called the police, Hayley's parents were arrested, and she was taken away. It was a very jarring experience for her because she hadn't been around a lot of people, and she didn't dare speak, she knew what happened if you spoke. 

"You'll be fine dear" Mrs.Colver, her social worker, said as they drove to the children's home she would be staying at. 

Hayley had just met Mrs.Colver yesterday, but when that door opened and she saw all those faces staring back at her, she clung to the woman like she had known her her whole life. Mrs.Colver once again reiterated that she'd be fine and handed her off to the woman that answered the door. Hayley's heart raced and she couldn't help but panic as she felt hot tears streaming down her face. Then, she saw him.