Page 15 of Monster in Disguise

It had been during Sunday lunch. For what seemed like the first time in forever, Father had demanded we eat together like a family. It had been a tense meal. We had all sat down in silence until Mother started with her crazy whispering.

Father's head had snapped in her direction, and with a snide smile, he'd watched Mother pour holy water on her food, all the while saying prayers.

The more I grew up, the more I realized there was something seriously wrong with Mother. And Father just took advantage of that.

"Liliana," he'd casually said, leaning back in his seat, still watching.

My mother hadn't reacted, so deep in her prayers she was that I don't think she even realized he'd spoken. Big mistake.

"Liliana!" This time, his voice held a threat to it, and it seemed to snap Mother from whatever trance she was in. But she didn't snap gracefully. No... she had to throw the holy water on Father.

"Demon... you're the devil," she'd whispered, and Father's sinister smile appeared once more.

"Devil, huh?" He'd mocked her one moment before his fist had shot out and connected with her cheek. I'd gasped as I watched Mother crumple to the floor, eyes wide, a hand going to the redness appearing on her face.

"Monster..." she'd continued. Father had sat up, tilted his head at her, and in a taunting voice asked,

"And what are you going to do about it?"

Mother's hands had gone to her cross, and she'd stuck it forward, as if hoping to repel the evil in Father. It just made him laugh.

"Your God isn't very generous today, is he?" He'd picked up the knife from his plate, slowly wiping it clean with a napkin. Upon seeing this, I'd realized I couldn't just sit and watch.

Mother was ill... she wasn't herself. But Father didn't care.

"No!" I'd burst out, putting my body in front of Mother's and hoping it would be a good shield.

Father had looked stunned for a moment before laughing once more.

"Boy, you want to defend her?" He'd raised one eyebrow at me, as if challenging me to admit it. "You want to defend thisfaithless whore?" He'd hissed at her before grabbing the front of my shirt and lifting me in the air.

"Fucking useless piece of shit." It had been very sudden. One moment I'd been hanging in the air, the next I'd been thrown across the room and into the wall. As my back had connected with the hard surface, I'd grimaced. The pain had been too much, and eventually I'd succumbed to it.

The next time I'd woken up, I'd been here. In a small, two-compartment chest of drawers. Or at least that's what I assume it is, since I'd tried to feel my way around it.

Father had shown up a little later.

"Let's see if you feel the same after spending some time in there." He'd chuckled and left me.

And now?

I don't even know what's worse... being deprived of light for so long, or sitting in my own piss and shit for hours upon hours. At first, the smell had made me gag.

Now... I think I've grown desensitized to it.

I try to stay awake for a while longer, but thirst and hunger overwhelm me. I close my eyes.

"Shit dude, it smells like shit in here."

"Fucking hell, you're right. But boss said to bring the brat down... Hold your nose."

There is some rattling, and I realize someone is opening the doors.

"Fuck... ew," a man says. As the doors open, my eyes struggle to get used to the light.

"Grab the brat and let's go," the other man orders dismissively. I am so weak... I don't have the power to struggle against his hold when he tugs me by my clothes.

They keep on making weird sounds and complaining about how disgusting I am, until they bring me to the first floor, to Mother's prayer room.

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