Basil( 5 years old)

"Basil! Get your ass down here now!" Johnathan yelled. He says that I can't call him father.

At hearing his voice, I immediately put down the book I was reading and ran downstairs as fast as I could because if I take too long he's gonna hurt me. So I ran down the stairs into the living room to see Johnathan with a suitcase.

"Listen up. I'm going on a business trip today and I'll be gone for a month."

He walked towards me and grabbed me by my hair. He pulled on it really hard and brought me close to his face.

"However, I still have an hour left until I have to go so why don't we spend some time together?" He said as he threw me against the wall.

The blow to my back knocked the air right out of me. I tried to regain my breath but then he came over to me and started punching my face over and over again. When he was finished with my face he started to kick my stomach. He kept kicking me even when he heard a crack. When a third crack was heard be finally stopped.

I felt more than saw Johnathan walk away. I try to crawl to my room, thinking that this beating was over. But it wasn't.

"Where do you think you're going you little bitch?" He said as I felt a pain in my leg and screamed.

I looked behind me to see what he did and I didn't like what I saw. He stabbed it with a knife. I tried to reach back and pull it out but Johnathan grabbed my arm before I could.

"What's wrong? Does it hurt? Well, it must hurt if you're crying. However, you deserve it. You know why? Because you killed her. You killed Laura."

"No I didn't." I whispered

"Did I say you could talk? I don't believe I did. So here's your punishment." He said as he took his pocket knife out of his pocket.

On my left arm he carved killer. On my right arm he carved murderer. On my left leg he carved demise. On my right leg he carved heartless. Lastly, he carved DIE on my back. The carvings on my arms and legs did hurt but the one on my back hurts the most. As he did it I screamed and screamed, not being able to do anything but scream. After a little bit I heard him put his knife back in his pocket. He grabbed my hair once again and pulled it to where we were face to face.

"Remember Basil, no funny business. I may be gone but I can still punish you like the bad girl you are." He said as let go of my hair, grabbed his suitcase and walked out the door.

Once I was sure that he was gone, I set to work patching myself up. I reached behind me with my right arm to grab the knife. When I had a good grip on it, I quickly pulled it out of my leg while screaming.

I used the walls to help me get on my feet and as support as I limped my way to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and took off my clothes. As soon as I stepped under the hot water, my very tense muscles relaxed and the blood that was on my body.

Once all the blood was rinsed off of my body I got out the shower and got out the first aid kit. I took out the alcohol and cleaned all of the knife wounds except for my back. Then, I wrapped bandages around my arms, legs and back. Afterwards I just sat there. Crying.

"What did I do? WHAT DID I EVER DO TO DESERVE THIS!? I always did everything I was told, I never got in trouble at school even though the other kids beat me, I got good grades, I'm ahead in all my classes but its still not enough. No matter what I do he beats me. I just... I just want to feel safe." I cried out.

I just sat in the bathroom and cried. I cried until it hurt. I cried until my voice was so scratchy that I couldn't use it. I cried until there were no more tears to cry. I got up and limped my way to my room, fell on my bed and got what little sleep I could.

(The next day)

Officer David Powers

"David. I need you to do something for me." My boss said

"What is it sir?"

"Well, this guy died from a car accident yesterday and we wanted to call his family members to let them know. However, he was an only child so he had no siblings. His parents died a few years ago and his wife died giving birth five years ago to a girl name Basil Angelica Rose. We tried calling her but there was no answer."

"So you want me to go tell a five year old little girl that her father died in a car crash?"

"Basically. I mean come on! Even though you have that scar across your face kids love you."

"Fine. Do I also have to take her to an orphanage?"

"Yep. Just be gentle. Like I said before, she just lost the last of her family. Ok?"

"Alright. I'll go now, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. In fact, after you're done with that go ahead and take a day off. You deserve it."

"Thanks boss." I said as I walked out of his office on my way to the car.

(30 minutes later)

Well here I am in front of the little girls house. It looks pretty decent. It's a two story yellow house with a well groomed yard. From what I can see they don't have any pets or plants or toys for that matter. Normally, there would be toys scattered over the yard. Hmmmm.

Anyway, after inspecting the outside of the house I got out of my car and walked up to the door and rang the bell. I waited for a few minutes but no one came so I rang the bell again. This time some one did answer. It was little five year old girl with obsidian black hair and dark red eyes that seemed to study and calculate me.

'She gonna be heartbreaker when she grows up. Especially with those eyes. But that scar. How did she get it? It goes from the top of her right eyebrow to her jaw. Not that it makes her ugly but who would something like this."

"Ahem. Did you need anything sir?" She asked

"Why yes little girl. I am officer David Powers. I am here to tell you something. Can I come in?"

"Badge."

"Excuse me?"

"Police badge. I want to see it. How do I know you're not just dressing up as a cop?"

'She's a smart one. I'm starting to like her.'

I took my badge out of my pocket and held it out for her to look at. She studied me and the badge while I just stood there.

"Alright. You can come in." She said

"Thank you." I said as I walked in.

I was surprised. It looked like there was no feminine touch to the place. There were no pictures on the wall and no sign of an actual family.

"Mr. Powers, you can sit down on the couch while I go and get us something to drink."

"Thank you. But call me David. Mr. Powers makes me feel old."

"Ok then, David. I'm Basil Angelica Rose. You can call me any of those names. It doesn't matter to me."

"Alright then. How about I call you Rose?"

"That's fine." She said as she put some water on the stove.

After a few minutes, she came back with two cups of a drink. She handed me my cup and sat down in a chair. I took a sniff at my drink and it smelled really good. I decided to go ahead and try it and when I did, I felt calmer. Less tense. I looked over to Rose in confusion.

"Ha-ha. Don't worry. It's an herbal tea call Ginseng mixed with a bit of spearmint."

"Ok, but why am I less tense?"

"The aroma of spearmint is suppose to relax your mind while the Ginseng tea is supposed to clear out mental exhaustion and stress. When I was looking at you earlier, I could tell that you were really stressed. I figured that this conversation would be easier if you were relaxed."

'What kind of five year old is she? With the way she talks, I could mistake her for an adult. And how is she knowledgeable about herbs anyway?' I thought

"How do you know that?" I asked her

"We can talk about that later. If you don't mind, I would like to discuss why you are here."

"Alright. Well, I'm sorry to say this but you father died yesterday in a car accident on his way to some kind of business trip."

She immediately stopped drinking and put her cup down. Then she looked up at me.

"Died? He...died?" She asked

"Yes. He died."

"I know he had some kind of dying words. What were they?"

"They were "Laura, I'm coming to see you. I'm sorry I didn't kill that bitch."

"I didn't expect him to die so soon. He started all this stuff, but didn't even live to see it through. So what happens now David? Are you going to take me to an orphanage?"

"Yep. Since you have no other known relatives, you have to go there."

"Ok. So do you have any questions about me? I know you do."

"You're five years old yet you know a lot about herbs. Why?"

"It's a hobby. I like to study the medicinal uses of herbs and make herbal remedies."

"Why do you not sound like a five year old?"

"I don't go over to anyone's house because I don't have any friends so I read during my free time. Math books, science books, history books, you name it. I'm practically self taught. I'm only five and I'm already in the second grade."

'Something's wrong. Really wrong. When she talked about her father, she didn't look sad. Right now she looks really depressed and lonely. Wait, why do I care about some kid?'

"Hey David, how did you get that scar on your face?"

"Huh? Oh this?" I asked as I pointed to the scar goes from the left side of my face, across my nose and to the right side of my face. "I got that from a robber. He was trying to rob a bank but me and my team came and cornered him. Since I was the least buff of my team, he went after me. I got distracted when I heard a lady scream and he cut me with his knife. I still cuffed and jailed him though."

"That guy was stupid."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not weak. You may not be buff but I can tell. The way you walk and handle yourself with pride and power, you're strong. I bet your team doesn't even spar with you cause you'll beat them."

"How did you-"

"Like I said, its the way you handle yourself. You can tell a lot by the way some one handles themselves."

'This girl is something else. She hit the mark dead center. Amir would love her.'

"Anyway, what about you? How did you get your scar?" I asked

"That's where I won't talk. All I'll tell you is that somebody did this to me."

"Ok. Well, what do you do as a hobby?"

'What the hell am I doing? I don't need to get to know her.'

"I research herbs, I draw I sing and I can play piano."

"That's amazing. Can you show me some pictures?"

"No. We've been talking for awhile. It's already dark outside."

"When she said that, I looked outside and saw that it was dark. Wow. I didn't know I was talking to her for that long. I shouldn't take her there tonight. I'll take her home with me and bring here there tomorrow.

"Well, how about you go pack up so we can leave to my house."

"Your house?"

"Yep. It's gotten dark and I don't feel comfortable taking you there at night."

"Oh. Alright follow me." She said as she got up from her chair and started to walk to her room.

However, as she walked, I noticed she had a limp to her walk. Did she get injured? How bad is she hurt? Why won't she say anything? Why am I starting to care for her?

Once I finished questioning my sanity, I realized that she was packing some stuff into a bag. It was stuff like clothes, notebooks, books, a few art supplies and a few wads of cash. Wait....cash?

"Why do you have that much money?"

"It's not mine. It's his."

"His?"

"Johnathan."

"Oh, your father. Why do you have his money?"

"If I didn't take money from him, he would've used it all on beer and we wouldn't have enough money for food. He's dead now so this is staying with me."

"How much is that?"

"About 2,000 dollars."

"What is a five year old gonna do with 2,000 dollars?"

"Are you underestimating me because I'm a five year old girl? Ha! Believe me bub, I've gone through a lot in five years. And trust me, its more than you can even take so don't think I'm a regular little girl that jumps for joy at the sight of ice cream and lollipops. Capiche?" As she said that, she looked at me like she was lecturing someone who has less experienced than her. I can't believe I'm saying this but she is scary.

"Capiche. Are you ready?" I asked as I saw her pull this box out from her closet and gently out it in her bag.

"Yeah, I'm ready." She said as she picked up her bag and followed me out to my car.

(Skip to the arrival at David's house)

"So, what do you think? Pretty nice, huh?" I said as I got out the car and showed her the outside of my house.

"Yes, yes, its nice. Can we go inside now? I have things to do." She said

"Sure. Well, lets go." I said as I started walking to the door.

I opened the door and led Rose to the living room. I grabbed her bag and took it to the room that she'll be sleeping in for tonight. When I got downstairs I saw her inspecting the house.

"I hope you like it."

"It's nice. It has a homey feel to it."

"Well, I want you to meet someone. Amir! Come say hello to our guest!" I yelled

Right after I said that I heard feet pounding through the house. I looked over to Rose and gave her a reassuring look.

"Whatever happens, don't be scared. This person is just really friendly."

Right when I said that I was tackled to the ground by Amir. He was crying and hugging me tightly. I looked at him so I could talk.

"Amir? What's wrong?"

"It's late and you didn't call me like you usually do. I got worried that something happened to you."

"There is nothing to be worried about. I was spending some time with Rose over there and lost track. Why don't you go and say hi?"

He looked from me to Rose who was sitting on the couch just watching us. The next thing I know is that Amir is running towards Rose yelling "OH MY GOD! SHE IS SO ADORABLE!"

When he is about to reach her she jumped off the couch and Amir collided with it. I ran over to Amir, grabbed him and pulled him to a chair opposite Rose's. When I looked back at Rose, she was already back in her chair.

"Who is that?" She asked

"This is Amir."

"Are you gay?"

"Yes."

"Then is that your husband?"

"Yes."

"Ok then. Wheres my room? I have research that I need to do."

"So you're not freaked out by this?" Amir asked

"Why would I be? You guys love each other. That's all there is to it."

"If I had a daughter, she would be just like you. Pretty, smart and mature." Amir said

"ENOUGH! How about you stop spouting lies and take me to my room?"

"But baby, I wasn't-"

"You know what? I'll just find the room myself." She sad as she walked upstairs. After a few minutes, I heard a door slam shut.

"Did I say something wrong?" Amir asked me

"No, you didn't say anything wrong. She's just been through a lot. But I know that she's a good girl."

"Hey, what did she mean when she said research?"

"Oh, she researches herbs. Things like their medicinal uses, therapeutic uses, etc. I tasted some of her tea before and it was really good."

"We should keep her."

"What? No. No, no, no. You know I don't do kids."

"But you like her. I can see it in the way you look at her."

"I do not. I'm just curious about her. That's all. Plus, she scares me."

"A five year old scared you? Are you serious?"

"Totally."

"Well, that's something. How about we go check up on her and see how she is doing?"

"Sure."

So with that we walked upstairs in the direction of Rose's room. When we got to the door we knocked but didn't receive an answer. I grabbed the door knob and opened the door to an adorable sight.

She was asleep on the bed surrounded by books and notebooks. Sleeping like this, she looked like any other five year old with a normal life. I just wonder what she went through to have her be like she is now.

"Come on Amir. We should go to sleep as well."

"Wait. Let me cover her up. She looks cold." He said as he made his way into her room. But he was right. She did look cold. She was curled up into a little ball. Amir went into her room and covered her up with the blanket that was at the foot of the bed. He came back to me and we headed back to our room.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!