Page 2 of Beautifully Wounded

But Maggie is nothing like me. She’s my mum in a nutshell. Practically a clone. And deep down, I know she’d never help me. After all, tonight’s drama started with her and her hatred for me. She didn’t have to tell my parents what she found, yet she did, with a sinister grin on her smug face.

“Daddy. Please.” I sob as his face comes into view, hoping he’ll still see the little girl in me. The same little girl that he used to adore. “Don’t let this happen, Daddy. It doesn’t have to be like this. I know you know that.”

“Shut up, Abigail!” my mother hisses, her hand fisting in my hair and tugging my head back so I’m forced to take in herfurious brown eyed glare. “Don’t try and get your father to side against me. My beliefs are his beliefs.” She snarls in my face, baring her smoke-stained yellow teeth.

Why does she hate me so much?

Why does she choose her beliefs over everything else?

Over her child?

“Your mother is right, Abbey. Stop making this harder for yourself by fighting. You need to accept the consequences of your actions.”

I try to tug against my dad’s firm grip as I glance up at him, noticing how tired he looks, but I barely move. His strength alone has me trapped here.

“But Daddy. I didn’t—”

“Stop!” he roars, cutting me off as his free hand grips my jaw so hard, I have no choice but to open my mouth.

“Take out two pills,” my mother demands, which is when I realise Maggie has returned.

“I brought a bottle of water too, to make sure they wash down properly, like last time.”

“Good girl, Maggie,” my mother praises, and I start struggling profusely, a wild and monstrous screech ripping from my throat as I fight harder, trying to get free.

“Stop hurting her!” Tahli screams from somewhere behind me, but no one pays her any attention, their focus on me as the three of them work together to control me.

No. No. No. I scream in my head as I try to force my mouth closed, but my dad’s grip is firm, and Maggie, the little bitch, shoves two pills into my open mouth before she starts filling it with water.

I try to cough, but my mum releases my hair and pinches my nose, even as my dad forces my mouth shut.

I flail like a crazy woman to no avail, their strength overpowering until my body begins fighting my own instincts, and I swallow the damn pills and water.

When my dad notices, he forces my mouth open again, and Maggie, the traitorous evil cow, starts filling my mouth with more and more water.

The fight leaves me, knowing it’s too late. They did what they set out to do. Lock me in here. Drug me so I’ll stop fighting, all so they can control me better.

I know what’s coming. More drugs, I’m sure. How else will they keep me compliant in the morning when they dress me in white, pay off the minister, and force me to marry one of the cruellest people I know?

Yes. Even crueller than my mother.

The moment my parents release me, I tumble to the carpet on my bedroom floor, sobbing, curling in on myself as I stare at their feet exiting my room.

“Thank you for your help, Maggie. You honour our family.” My mother’s words float to me right before my door closes, and I hear the latches click into place as they lock me in.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

I count in my head until I reach ten, and then leap up off my floor, knowing they are no longer on the other side of the door.

Scurrying over to my desk, I pull out the small trash can and shove my fingers down my throat.

I can’t let the drugs work. If I do, I won’t be able to fight.

I gag a few times before I force my fingers so far into the back of my throat that it hurts, and finally my attempt works.

I heave up the water with force into the can, frantically looking for the two white pills.

Nothing.

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