"Come on honey get up! It's 7:30, you need to go to school!'' That was the first thing I heard this morning. I groaned quietly and kept myself buried under my blankets, trying to go back to sleep.

I could hear her footsteps make their way over to my bed. I kept my eyes closed as the blankets were lifted off of my face and faked snored, hoping she would think I was still sleeping.

A few moments later, I slowly peeked an eye open to see if she was gone when I heard silence. She was still there though, her arms crossed.

"Mom, do I really have to go?" I whined, which I could tell surprised her when I saw the look on her face.

"Honey, you love school!!! Is everything alright?" She asked me gently, sitting down next to me.

"I-I just don't feel well." I lied, holding my stomach. I pretended that my stomach hurt.

She nodded in understanding.

"Do you want to go to the doctor? We can go right now." She offered gently and started to get up. I took her hand to stop her.

I shook my head and smiled weakly at her."No it's okay, I just need some rest." I told her.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her blue eyes scanning mine. I felt like she could look past them and see all of my lies.

I nodded.

"Okay honey, I'll come back with some soup later on." She said, before she kissed my forehead and walked out of my room, the sound of heels clapping on the floor.

I let out a sigh of relief when she was gone.

I love school, I really do. But school hasn't been easy as I've gotten older.

Kindergarten went pretty well. I did really good in school, in fact my teachers would ask me if I ever thought of being a teacher myself.

By 1st grade and 2nd grade, things started to change though.

I started noticing how much meaner kids have gotten.

They started teasing me for being smart, and called me a nerd.

And don't getting me started with my weight.

I weighed more than my other classmates, because of that my weight tend to be the punchline of every joke kids in my class made about me.

I ignored them, since my mom taught me to ignore people's opinions about me.

But yesterday in recess, one of my classmates, Anthony all of a sudden snatched my glasses off my face before he threw them on the ground and stomped on them.

When Miss Lillian asked what happened to them, I just lied to her and said I fell down.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, I really don't. I was also hoping that Anthony would leave me alone for not telling on him, but that just made him tease me even more.

So yeah, even though I love school I don't want to go..and get picked on. I don't want to deal with those mean kids anymore.

I usually stick with my friends most of the time in order to not get teased by the mean kids, but when my friends are gone, they take this as a chance to pick on me.

I'm starting to wonder if my friends are even my friends.

Sometimes even they tease me as well, sure in a jokingly way but still.

I sighed as I heard my mom and dad arguing as usual.

I cringed when I heard my dad's yelling from downstairs all the way across my room.

"Kate, where the fuck is the wine?!" I heard the old man slur.

Okay, to be honest my dad looks way too old for my mom. He looks old enough to be her dad.

I quietly walked out of my room and headed downstairs, covering my mouth when I gasped hearing my father yell at my mom when she walked back to him with his glass of wine. I cringed hearing the glass shatter into a million pieces when he threw it at her but she dodged it.

He then slapped her across the face, sending her sprawling to the floor.

"Not that brand! How many times do I have to fucking tell you? Goddamn it! You women are all the same, all you're useful for is fucking. If it weren't for that you'd all be useless." He slurred, chugging down a replacement beer bottle my mom handed him, her face had a hand mark from that slap that bastard gave her.

My mom deserves so much better than my father, a beautiful woman like her deserved a better man.

A man that would love and respect her, not treat her bad.

"Maybe if you let me go to work, you would see that I'm not as useless as you say." I heard Mom comment quietly, only to earn another slap from that.

"Shut the fuck up, woman. You know it's MY job to work! You belong in the kitchen like all women do. That mouth of yours would be better off with my dick in then saying all that bullshit." He snarled, not caring at all that he had made her cheek all red and swollen with that slap.

Even though I wanted to go downstairs to defend her from him, I didn't since I knew she wouldn't want me to.

I rushed upstairs and covered my ears trying so hard not to hear my mom's screams as my drunk father kept hitting her.

I started to cry as I leaped on my bed, my face buried in the pillows to muffle the sounds.

A few minutes later, she came back upstairs with that soup she said she was going to make for me. I stared at the floor silently, almost as if wishing it to make me disappear.

She walked over to me, sitting down next to me and handing me the soup.

"Here's your soup, sweetheart." She said with that soft soothing tone she always used when talking to me.

I was sure she knew I had seen everything that happened downstairs since my eyes were red and puffy from my crying.

"Why do you let dad do this to you?" I sniffled, wiping my nose off with my sleeve.

"Honey.. Sometimes parents argue."

"Do they hurt each other too?" I asked, still looking at the floor. I then had my chin lifted so I could look at her.

"Sweetie-" She started but I cut her off.

"This is wrong. He shouldn't hit you, you shouldn't let him do that to you." I sobbed.

Before we knew it, we both burst into tears, hugging each other."Honey, I'm doing this all for you- someday you'll understand." She told me, before kissing my cheek and wiping my tears away.

I heard the door slam from downstairs.

Thank god, he finally left for work.

"This-this is for your own good, Isaac. Your dad.. if it weren't for him we wouldn't have anywhere to live. I wouldn't want to suffer and make you suffer with me."

"I'd rather suffer with you than watch you suffer alone." I whisper, trying to hold back sobs.

Tears formed in her eyes and her lips quivered right after what I said. She pulled me close and kissed my cheek. "Oh sweetheart."

She hugged me, I hugged back.

"I appreciate it. But I'm not letting that happen."

Even though I could spend hours arguing with her, I let go of it.

"I love you mom.." I sniffled quietly before hugging her, burying my face in her shoulder, feeling somewhat better as she gently rubbed my back.

We've had the same discussion about my dad, and it ends the same way every time.

I tell her that she shouldn't be treated this way. She explains that she "has to." We hug. We make up. Put on repeat. I was tired of seeing my mom being treated this way, I was scared. Scared for her.

What if my dad did something really crazy one day? What if he killed her? I didn't like thinking so darkly, but I couldn't help it.

~

A few hours later, I was downstairs, playing with my toys while I waited for my mom to finish making lunch.

"Help me!!" I made my doll yell as I tied her up with some string.

"Don't worry Mary Jane, I'll save you!" I had my Spiderman say in a deep heroic voice.

Yeah, I play with dolls, so what? I don't care if people say they're for girls, toys are toys.

It's fun to play with them. It's also fun cut off their hair and ruin it, as well as making them brides for my action figures.

My dad usually got mad at me for playing with them so I avoid playing with them when he was around. He was at work right now, so I took this opportunity to play in peace.

"Not if I can help it!" Doctor Octopus hissed, before attacking Spiderman.

"Take this! And this! And this!" I yelled each time I had the toy attack Spiderman with each arm until he had Spiderman tied up with his tentacles.

"Do you want me to let go of the girl? Then tell me who you are, kid!!" The villain said to Spiderman.

"Never!!! A superhero never reveals his identity!" Spiderman said, before Doctor Octopus let go of him and threw him across the room.

"Then this girl will forever be trapped!!"

"Take me instead!" Spiderman cried.

"Let her go and you'll find out who I am. In fact you can keep me in captive forever."

"No, Spiderman! Don't do that! The world needs you, I'm only one person. Just leave me here and stop him before he kidnaps other people!"

"Never, MJ! I'm not leaving you here alone." He replied, before turning himself in to Doctor Octopus after Doctor Octopus let go of her. He was then put in a cage.

"Why did you do that?" Mary Jane asked.

"Because the truth is, I am Peter Parker!" I then switched the Spiderman with my Peter Parker toy.

Mary Jane gasped.

"P-Peter?"

"That's right, I love you with all my heart, MJ. I'm not letting him take you." He said before Doctor Octopus took him away.

"No! Peter!" Mary Jane cried out, I kept making her sob in a dramatic girly voice until I paused and started laughing.

I always found it funny how TV liked to portray hero stories.

It's pretty much the same. Guy saves girl, they kiss, they get married and live happily ever after.

"Having fun? Mind if I join?" A familiar voice asked behind me.

I turned around and I smiled as I saw those familiar friendly turquoise eyes.

"Matthew!!" I beamed and dropped my toys before running up to Matthew and springing into his arms.

"Hey Isaac, how are you?" Matthew said, smiling at me.

Matthew is a friend of my mom's.

Unlike dad, he actually looked my mom's age.

My mom usually doesn't visit him to avoid problems with my dad but when we do visit, it's really fun.

It's fun spending time with Matthew, and I know my mom enjoys spending time with him too. Sometimes I wish Matthew was my dad instead.

He wouldn't hurt mom.

He wouldn't make fun of my barbie collection.

My mom walked up to us with a plate of sandwiches she made for us to eat. Her eyes widened seeing Matthew but she also smiled.

She carefully placed the plate of sandwiches on the coffee table before hugging Matthew.

"Hi Kate, how are you? I haven't heard from you in quite a while."

"Good, but Matthew, you know you shouldn't be here. Rick would hate finding you here." My mom acknowledged, sighing softly.

''I just came to see how you and Isaac were." His eyes widened as he noticed her cheek being red and swollen.

"Did Rick do this?" He asked, angry.

Mom says nothing, but Matthew still knows somehow.

"This isn't okay. He shouldn't treat you like sh- trash." He stammered, close to swearing but quickly stopping himself since I was right there.

I started to go upstairs, telling them I forgot some toys, but instead I hide behind the stair's handrail, peeking quietly.

She stood quiet and looked down at the floor. He gently holds her face to look at him.

"Kate, you deserve better than this. You should leave him."

"Matthew, you know I can't do that. My parents arranged my marriage with him and even if I want to leave, what would there be of me and my son? He helps support me and more importantly, Isaac. If I were to leave I would spend my life on the streets with my son and I do not want him to have such a life. I-I have no other choice."

"You don't have to spend your life this way." He said to her, taking her face. He looked absolutely angry. Not at her directly, but at how my dad left her.

"You and Isaac can come live with me. I'll take care of both of you. I've always loved you Kate, and more than a friend. You know that, and I know you feel the same way. Forget about that marriage your parents arranged for you, they passed away years ago. You don't have to worry about what they would think anymore. Please, let's go right now." He urged gently.

Her eyes clouded with tears, but she nodded."You're right.. I can't keep living like this. So I'll go, so Isaac can have a better life and never get hurt like I did."

Matthew hugged her, her crying into his arms. My own eyes are watering, until the sound of my angry dad's voice startle me.

Oh no. He's back.

"What the hell do you think you are doing, Kate?!"

She fired away from Matthew, fear in her eyes.

"Well? Answer me!" He badgered, storming up to her. Matthew stood infront of my mom.

"She's leaving. Because she doesn't deserve an asshole like you!" Matthew fumed, not a single ounce of fear in his eyes.

"Shut the fuck up you stupid kid!" My father growled as he punched Matthew.

My dad glared as he looked back at my mom and grabbed her by the throat. I ran up to him and tried helping her but got pushed away.

"Let go of her dad!" I yelled.

She was struggling to breathe and tried to get his hands off of her throat.

"I knew you were a fucking slut! You have some nerve to bring your lover over to MY fucking house!!"

He let go of her throat and slapped her so hard she fell to the floor. I ran up to her and hugged her.

"I'm sick of how you've been treating me!" She yelled, rubbing her bleeding mouth with one hand and holding my hand with the other one.

"I'm leaving, something I should've done years ago. If I stay, one day my son's going to have to deal with everything I had to deal with, and I'm not having that!"

"Shut the hell up, you really think he really wants to be with you, he just wants to fuck you!" He snarled as he looked at Matthew, who had gotten up.

"I don't care what you think. I'm leaving with Matthew and Isaac." She said, Matthew helped her up. Matthew lunged towards my dad until he took out a gun and pointed it at him. Matthew and Kate's eyes widened in horror.

"You are aren't going anywhere, bitch! I'd rather kill you.'' He pulled the trigger, I screamed and covered my eyes. I yelped at the sound of a gunshot and looked away.

My eyes widened when I turned to see what happened. Matthew was laying on the floor bleeding, he had taken the shot for mom. My mom ran to his side, sobbing as she held onto him.

"Before I leave promise me to get away from this household... Please" plead. My mom held his hands and kissed them, nodding.

"You're gonna come with me..." She promised. Matthew smiled weakly and shook his head. "I love you.. I love you Isaac." He said as he looked at me.

"I-I love you too." She said softly, tears streaming down her cheeks. I ran to their side, hugging Matthew and saying I loved him back.

"You'll always be my dad.." Matthew smiled at my words, his eyes soon rolling back.

"No!!!" My mom shouted, starting to sob as she tried to shake him. She wouldn't stop shaking him in hopes of him waking up.

"Don't worry, you'll be joining your lover very soon."

Before she could react to what he said, she got shot.

"Mom!!" I cried as I hugged their lifeless bodies. My dad put his gun away and pulled me away from them.

"I don't want to here you crying for them, kid! You understand?"

I just nodded, my eyes clouded with tears. I didn't want to test his patience or end up like them.

After what he did, he ended up going to jail, and I got sent to several foster homes.

Later on, I have no idea how but he was freed later on.

We ended up moving to another country.

At my new school, I would get teased for being fat.

This wasn't something new for me since at my old school kids call me names like "Blubber" and "Fatty". They would bully me. They would beat me up.

My mom always stood up for me. She told me to not listen to what they said about me. She said I mattered way more than they did. But now she was gone.

At the new school sometimes the kids would beat me up. I didn't have any friends because nobody ever wanted to hang out with me just because I was fat. Having no friends made me an easier target for them to pick on. Plus I was a really shy quiet kid.

My dad would call me an idiot for letting them hit me. He would tell me things like "Lose weight if you want the kids to leave you alone." Like the bullies, sometimes my dad said really hurtful things about my body. All this pain caused me to change.

A lot. I started cutting myself, I began agreeing with the things my dad and classmates would say.

I felt worthless and would cut until I bled. I stopped eating in order to lose weight and almost died after weeks without eating. I was sent to the hospital. I heard my dad mutter something about wishing that I died. It really hurt me. School gave me a therapist so I could be more comfortable about my weight and to not do the same thing again. Although the therapy helped a little, I felt depressed and insecure about myself. I spent my whole elementary being bullied, but I got used it. I never complained to any teachers or dad.

It wasn't until I was around 10 that I started losing the weight. Not only did I change on the outside but one the inside as well. I was no longer that good kid that did his homework everyday, I wasn't that kid that avoided doing bad things anymore.

Funny how shit works, from starting off as that typical kid who pretended be a superhero catching the bad guys, 7 years later I actually AM one of the bad guys I would always say I would never be.