Page 1 of Soul

Prologue.

Jayden - Aged four.

“Keep your fuckin’ mouth shut, you little freak,” Daddy hissed.

“Yes, Daddy,” I agreed.

Daddy was wearing nice jeans and a shirt. That meant important people were coming.

“You, too,” Daddy snarled at Lila.

I watched as my older sister stared at Daddy and admired her strength. Lila was so strong and brave. She was thirteen and so clever.

“Whatever,” Lila said.

Quickly, I flinched as Daddy lifted his hand, and Lila looked him in his eyes. “Don’t try it, you won’t like what happens,” Lila warned.

Badass was a word I shouldn’t use, but I knew what it meant. Lila was badass. My badass.

“Jayden, come on, we’re going to play in the backyard. Dad, you want me to behave? Keep that little bastard Miles away from Jayden. Miles hurt him badly last time, and if he gets near Jayden again…” Lila let the threat dangle and grabbed my hand.

Lila dragged me outside, but I saw Daddy’s face. Daddy hated us. But we were all he had left of Mommy. Sadly, I was beginning to wonder if Daddy ever loved us. But I had Lila and didn’t care.

Mommy had died when I was younger. I didn’t remember her, but I remembered the quietness before Daddy liked that yellow water and drank from a bottle. I’d tried it once and had been sick. Lila had stayed up all night, singing and watching over me.

Then Daddy’s friends had arrived.

Everything was fine until Lila went to get me a drink.

Miles hadn’t been allowed near me. I’m not sure what Daddy told his Daddy, but Miles kept away, until now…

A firm shove sent me flying, and I fell off the slide and crashed to the ground. A pain shot through my arm, and I started to cry.

Lila rushed over and punched Miles straight in his face.

Miles screamed and sobbed as Lila wiped my tears and checked me over. There was a big cut on my arm, and it looked funny.

“Lila!” Daddy roared as everyone glanced our way.

“Miles shoved Jayden off the slide. I think Jayden’s arm is broken,” Lila hissed at Daddy.

“You broke Miles’s nose!” Miles’s dad yelled.

“And I warned you! That little snot is always picking on Jayden, and you won’t stop him because you’re so far up his father’s ass. Miles got exactly what he deserved, and now you will!” Lila spat. “You didn’t listen. Are you aware your wife is sleeping with Mr Forth?” Lila stated to Miles’s dad.

Daddy blanched and began moving forward, but Lila stared him down.

“What are you talking about?” Miles’s father demanded.

“That’s an awful lie! Why would you say that?” Miles’s mommy yelled.

“You’re lying. Check under her phone messages. The evidence is in there. And did you know your husband is hiding money from you?” Lila asked another woman.

Voices rose as Daddy headed towards Lila.

Lila spun on him. “Tell them your lies, Dad!”

I cried, cradling my broken arm, as Lila turned the lives of everyone present upside down, and the adults began fighting amongst themselves. But everybody yelled really loudly at Daddy.

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