Chapter — Prologue

Eleven and a Half Years Ago.

The Three Sisters:

"Rie, please don't forget Mish's vitamins. She will need them for her lungs. I will be out until lunch. When I get back, I'll bring us something to eat. Stay safe, sis."

Her sister, Anna, pulled her close and embraced her lovingly, soothing her, and at the same time, drawing strength. Rie gave it without a second thought.

Anna bent down to kiss Mish's pale cheek. "Lock the door to our room and don't come out until I get back."

She smiled and nodded. "You take care, sis. Don't worry about us. We'll manage." They always did.

Anna smiled tearfully. She loathed leaving her and Mish by themselves, but she had to work to feed them. At barely fourteen, she shouldn't be burdened with taking care of two minors. She was a minor herself! But she did it anyway, without reservation.

All three of them should be in school, but they couldn't afford it. Their mom had died a few months ago and they were adopted by a crack addicted aunt and her perverted husband.

Rie hated that vile man. He had touched her in places he shouldn't be touching. She managed to escape every time, but for how long? Her skin prickled at the thought.

Anna never knew about the trauma, or the helplessness she experienced at the hands of their uncle. She adamantly refused to add more burdens to her sister’s tired shoulders.

***

After some time, she decided to risk it. There was a battle going on in her tummy and Mish was hungry. Rie couldn't hear anyone outside their cramped bedroom. It should be safe for her to venture out.

No one was in the kitchen. She managed to sneak in and cooked three fried eggs and toasted some leftover bread. She went back to their room as silent as a mouse.

Mish needed all the nourishment she could get. She was very thin and sickly.

She fed her sister and ate whatever was left on the plate. The plates could do with some washing, but she'd do it later when she was sure that the devil was not around.

Her sister’s warm body cuddled closer, making her eyes droop. She looked so small and fragile despite her age. More like a seven-year-old kid. Rie grimaced.

She woke up to pans banging on the stove. What the…

He was back. And by the sound of it, he was either as high as a kite or he was boozed up. She was counting on the latter. He'd fall asleep in no time.

He was whistling an off-key tune. Damn! He does that when he’s alone. She shuddered in fear because it was a sign that he wanted to touch her.

Goosebumps traveled through her skin. Her eyes were round like saucers and her ears were sensitive to all the sounds he was making.

Rie ran to their door and locked it. The small clock on their wall said it was half-past one. Anna should be back at any moment.

What if he went for her sister? Tears began to stream down her face. She held Mish in her arms. Thank God their youngest sister slept soundly.

"Anna, my beautiful girl, you're back." She cried harder. His leering voice was clear and steady. It meant he was high.

"What do you want?" She could hear her sister's voice quaver.

"Aww, come kiss your uncle." She heard his lewd smacking sounds.

"No! Stay away!" Her sister's voice was hysterical and edgy. Rie sobbed. He wanted Anna, too.

Desperate to save her, Rie sped out of the bedroom. Her uncle had Anna by her hair, and she was weeping with pain. She was twisting and squirming, trying to get away from his touch.

"Anna!" she cried. What should she do?

"Rie, come join us. You want me to touch you again, little girl?" Her body shuddered at the memory. She wanted to puke then and there.

"What did you say?!" Anna shouted, outraged. She had never seen her sister so angry. She thrashed from his hold, kicking and biting.

Losing patience, her uncle threw Anna away like a ragdoll and came after her.

Running was futile. He was fast and had her caged with his meaty hands. Holding her on his lap, her body stiffened when she felt his vile thing poking her.

"No!" Her whimpers did nothing to stop his palms from roaming all over her small body. He laughed, pinching her skin.

Suddenly, it all stopped. His hold slackened and she fell out of his arms.

Anna had a thick pipe in her small hands. She struck him again and again, anywhere she could reach him. Her sister didn't stop until he was on the ground, groaning in pain. Rie took another pipe and struck him as hard as she could, venting her anger. He was unconscious by the time her strength left her.

"Rie." She blinked, dazed at her sister's soft voice, and was pulled back to the present.

"Mish is awake. Get her. We are leaving," Anna bid her firmly. Although she shivered with fear, she was focused on them, on their situation, and taking a firm grasp of it.

Rie picked up her youngest sister and bundled her warmly, soothing her, and letting her fall back to sleep.

Anna joined her to pack their meager belongings. Rie was still in shock, and occasional shudders made themselves known.

"Where are we going, Anna May?" she whispered.

"Somewhere safe. I have enough money to get us there." Anna was frantic, but still guiding them out. "We don't want our aunt to catch us. That woman could be here at any moment. And she's as cruel as they come."

Trusting her, she nodded her head. Anna would always take care of them.

With Mish in her arms and Anna carrying all their bags, they left the hellhole that was their home.

And never looked back.