WARNING: Contains violence.

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⟨Jɪɱɪŋˈs pøʋ⟩

All I remember about that night was gripping my earplugs as tightly as I could. My hands were shaking violently when I shoved them in my ears, turning on the volume of the music as high as possible. I had locked the door, having to try at least three times because of how shaky my hands were and I slumped down against the door.

I could hear glass breaking. With that, the tears came, trickling down my cheeks. I was sure I would have stains there because of how frequently I cry. I bit my lips so hard that I started to taste blood. I brought up my knees to my face, putting my head in them, trying my best to block the noise.

No matter how loud I turn on the music, I can still hear screams. The profanities my father screamed. The pained screams of my mother. I sobbed loudly. I couldn't do anything. Nothing. Just sit there like a coward and let my mother get hurt by that excuse of a father.

Let the mother who loved me, get hurt.

Let the mother who sustained me, get hurt.

The mother who won the title of "mom".

The father that failed to be a "dad".

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⟨Juŋkøøkˈs pøʋ⟩

"Don't sit here and be more useless than you already are. Go do the dishes."

That's Jihun. My mother. I don't know what kind of relationship I have with her and I was never even taught to call her 'mom'. It was always her name. She huffed as she plopped herself down on the bed with her phone. I nodded and bowed to her, then left the room and made my way to the kitchen.

I saw the messy plates, where a lot of food was still left. I stared at them for a while. Then slowly made my way over to them. I hesitated for a second, but my hunger cramps were killing me. Without wasting another second, I dug in for the leftovers.

It surprised me how fast I was able to lick the plate clean. I was still hungry. I had always been hungry. But I didn't have much time to think about myself. I hurriedly gathered all the cutleries to wash them, but on the way to the sink, I accidentally knocked off the flask of hot water, pouring hot water all over my hands.

I gasped at the burning sensation. The grip on my hands loosened, and the glass plates fell, breaking into several pieces.

I felt my heart stop at what I had just done. My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets. I was frozen. Jihun heard the noise and quickly scurried to the kitchen. I looked at her. My eyes held pure terror. I can hear Jihun's breathing get heavier, her face getting redder with anger.

"What. Did. You. Just. Do?"

I felt myself get nauseous with fear. My limbs started to shake along with my pupils. She grabbed my hand and dragged me across the kitchen.

Tears stung my eyes. I knew what was going to happen. Before I could comprehend it, I was in the basement again, Jihun tying my hands with the metal chain. She didn't say a thing and left the room.

I looked down at my hand, where they were burned. The adrenaline was wearing off and it was starting to hurt. In a minute, Jihun entered the room again, a hair curler and a jug in her hand. Whatever was in that jug was steaming hot because I could see the smoke.

The lady approached me, a sly smirk on her lips and crouched down in front of me. The smirk made me want to gag. But before anything, she smacked me across the face. Hard.

"You like to play with hot water, right? Well then, I've got it for you here."

With that, she splashed the jug of what I have now realized to be hot water, all over me. I gasped, unable to bear the pain. Tears came down my face continuously, irritating the burned skin even more. I couldn't help it. It hurt bad. I felt an excruciating pain in my arm like it was being cut off from my body. I looked down and found that lady pressing the hair curler against it.

I screamed, struggling to get off the grip, but Jihun kept it tight hold of my hands. I didn't know how possibly I could use my hands ever again.

"J-Jihun."

I stuttered.

"DARE to mess with me again and see what happens."

She glared at me for a few seconds while I gasped and whimpered. Then left the room without a word.

I breathed deep and quick even after she left for I knew were many days. My body still shaking. I didn't know if it was from fear or pain.

I shut my eyes tightly, tears leaking onto my cheeks, trying to calm myself down. I know it is going to be a long week. But I also know I should've been careful. I had always known of the consequences, but still was careless enough to drop some freaking plates.

I should've been careful.

Careful.

I had been careful.

I had been way too careful.

Too careful to live in my own house.

Too careful from a person whom I should be calling my "mom".

798 words.

Just the beginning. The following chapters will be longer.

Tell me, how do you feel about it? Is it good? Did you like my writing style? How do you think people with different yet somehow same hardships could help each other?

To that question, I need to do some research. I'll learn as I write more of this story. So let's see how my characters cooperate.

Thank you for reading! I hope you have a great day ahead!

Love you!♥