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Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very Often, it's the place where we find the deepest heartache.
                          - Iyanla Vanzant

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So far.....I still haven't been able to tell what I have experience without shedding a tear.

I sighed and drew my knees closer to my chest. I pressed my back to the wall and placed my aching head on my knees. In my agony, my tears soaked the jeans I wore. "Mum! Dad! Why did you leave me? Why did you leave me in the hands of monsters?"

My sobs echoed in the empty store that I hid in. I needed solace and this room gave me that.

I had missed another utme exam. Thanks Uncle! Thanks Aunt! And...Goodbye University. There wasn't a ray of hope for me. No first degree for me! I was in despair.

I groaned and bit my arm.

What else could I do but cry? I didn't know a way to escape from my agony so I cried. Beside crying was also a waste of my energy, no one would hear me. No one could save me! This was my thought then.

Suddenly, the door slam opened and my aunt's figure hovered at the entrance. She hissed and with large strides, arrived beside me.

"You bastard!" Her voice thundered. She held my ear and pulled me to my feet. "Didn't I say you should wash the plates?"

"Ouch...." I cried. "I'm coming. I will do it".

"You will do it?" She yelled and slapped me. "When? Eh? The audacity of this child! So you will decide when you will do the work I gave to you? Abi?"

"No ma," I replied and stared at the ground.

I dared not look into her eyes. I mighy just sign my death wish.

"As per madam na! I will send you message and you will tell me when you will do it. Wow," she exclaimed and clapped her hand. "The Queen!"

Her husband rushed into the room and gasped when he sees the rage burning in his wife's eyes. "Honey, calm down! This girl is not worth your energy".

"No oo! I will cut that her wings!" The woman declared, used her elbow to hit my face and then, grabbed me by my neck. Her husband ran to us and quickly disentangled her hands from me.

"Let's go!" He said. "She will wash the plates. Let's go!"

"Leave me! This girl is so rude! Leave me!" she cried as he pulled her by her hand out of the room.

Luck was on my side and that moment but it ran away later on. I thought she would leave another mark on my skin. Who should I thank for this grace?

I let out a hiss and strolled out of the room.

As I sauntered into the living room, one of their children, Samuel, jogged to me and slapped my thigh. The six-year-old boy frowned and like a dictator ordered me to prepare his favorite cereal. I cringed. The audacity of this child.

I looked up and I saw his father had his eyes on me.

"He is hungry. Go and prepare it,"  his father commanded and I spotted the smug smile on the boy's face.

I went to the kitchen and my anger boiled as I see that it was only two plates that were on the sink and the wicked witch was slapping me.

May that my cruel family reap the evil they sow in my life.

I proceeded to wash the plate and prepared the meal. Then the atmosphere in the kitchen changed and I noticed it at once. I felt a presence beside me before an arm coiled around my waist.

"Let go of me" I whispered.

"What is doing you? Stop shouting!" My stupid uncle sneered.

My Aunt is my father's younger sister and her stupid husband had suddenly found interest in me. I rather run away than to sleep with a monster. His hand began to travel up my body and I struggled to push him away. When I saw he is forcing himself on me right in the kitchen, I screamed. It was a bad decision but I did. His wife arrived shortly and the monster beside me turned the situation around. Now I looked like the one forcing myself on him.
Wow! How great is my life?

My aunt grabbed a knife and rushed to me.

"Oya! Kill me! I am even tired of this house sef!" I screamed and rushed to her. "Kill me! Kill me!"

Her three children arrived in the kitchen. They have two girls and a boy. The first-born was of my age and everyday, I found myself serving her. I narrowed my eyes at them and I hauled, "Tell your wicked mother to kill me. Please tell her now oo. See you and your shameless husband!"

"This girl" she threw the knife into the sink and grabbed my afro hair. She tugged on it till I fell to the ground and then, she began to kick my belly. "That evil spirit that has possess you must leave by force".

I hadn't eaten for three days and as she kicked, I slowly slipped into darkness. I heard a doorbell while my aunt still kicked. At last, I shut my eyes.

I don't know how many days I spent in the hospital but I know I woke up to meet a familiar face, my parents' lawyer.

"I can't believe this!" was his first words to me. "How are you dear?"

"Mr Lawal?" I voiced.

"Yes, my timing was good. I was the one at the door that day. So your aunt maltreats you like this? Can I file a case? I am so disappointed right now. I left her in your care for ten good years and this is what I see? Injuries on your body? Starvation? I...I...I...," he trailed off and shook his head.

"Welcome to...to...to...my world," I coughed out and shut my eyes.

"Ifunanya!" Mr Lawal called out. I quickly opened my eyes so he could see I was still alive. He let out a sigh of relief and sat on the plastic chair near the bed.

I rolled my eyes and groaned.

"The bitter truth is out. I just can't believe this. I left you in your aunt's care thinking you'll be alright"

"Worst decision ever. While you enjoyed in South Africa, I suffered"

"Your parents will not be happy. Their will! I assumed your aunt would have given you all you had inherited when you were of age. I can't believe she sold them all"

"Wow! I am so shocked right now," I said with my voice dripping with sacrasm.

"You need to leave her. I can't watch you suffer like this"

"To South Africa?" My face lit up with hope.

"Not really! I was thinking you will start life in Lagos. Things aren't going well for you in Port Harcourt. That, I can see"

"I don't have money"

"Your aunt agreed that if I don't file a case, she will give me all that is remaining in your account!"

"I have an account?"

"Yes! Your parents had been saving for your university tuition. I'm so surprised your aunt deprived you of this. Your own flesh and blood!" he snarled and his forehead creased.

"Wow! I am so shocked right now," I said with that same sarcastic tone.

"Are you willing to start life again?" he quizzed with an optimistic smile that graced his face.

"Are you seriously asking me that question?"

"Can you survive on your own? I'm worried about that because I'm not going to be with you in Nigeria," he replied and sighed.

"Why?"

"I need to go back to South Africa next week!"

"Oh!" I said and the joy in me withered. "Just give me the money and I'll be fine".

"Are you sure you don't want to go to school?"

"I have acquired skill in tailoring. I'm an expert in it. I love to sketch too. So...I rather be a fashion designer. I'll be happier," I concluded and adjusted myself on the hospital bed.

"Okay! Get well soon because you'll be going to start a new life in a new city"

"With a new business and far from the monsters here. Praise the Lord!"

"Hallelujah!"

I smiled.

A/N: Still waiting for your comments, criticisms and correction on my grammars or punctuation. I need your help to groom my writing skill. 🥺🥺