"STOP!"

I run in to cover my mother feeling a sting come across my face. My father standing there fuming. My mother curls into a ball clutching her stomach. I stand there holding my head high guarding my helpless mother. He begins chuckling and then full on laughs at me. I continue to stand there glaring at the lazy excuse of a father in front of me. He finally stops and steps up to me. 

"What are you going to do about it? You can't even protect yourself... You are worthless, you are nothing. You will always be NOTHING! "

He seethes out still swaying but trying to stand straight. I don't say anything. My mother doesn't move worried of infuriating him further. I raise my chin farther up if possible. Looking straight into his eyes. 

"Actions speak louder than words."

I state with determination in my voice. He chuckles and begins holding his head before collapsing back on the couch. I stand there still glaring at his form. His snores begin filling the room. Taking the chance to turn back to my mom whose black hair is sticking to her tear soaked face, I brush the hair out of her face and give her a small smile. I take her bruised arm and lift it over my shoulder gently pulling her up. She hisses holding her ribs. My anger boils however I try to remain calm lifting her up. She gets up with my help as I gently guide her to the front door. 

I look around the once beautiful house that now just holds nightmares. The smell of beer and liquor wafting throughout the house. The photos on the wall holding pictures of a happy family smiling at the camera that no longer hold any truth. The empty broken pieces of glass  snapping under our feet as we walk by. The paint is chipping on the walls and the floors creaks. 

Gently opening the door, I taking my mom out to the car placing her in the back seat. I close the door and run back into the house. My feet moving quickly and quietly to my room gathering a bag worth of clothes followed by going into my parents room where I can see the broken lamp laying on the floor and the bed covers unmade thrown all over the bed. I grab some of my mother's clothes and her hidden stash of money pushing it all in my bag. Running back down stairs, I make my way to the kitchen grabbing some food for us.

 Once I have everything, I give one glance at the man who has hurt us enough. He is passed out on the couch still clutching a beer bottle in his hand. He always said I was a mistake... That I would never do anything with my life. That I would end up just like my mother... I can't wait to prove him wrong. 

I get in the driver's seat and begin pulling out of the driveway not sparing a glance back at my past. Instead, I turn the rear view mirror to see my mother. She has passed out but I can still see the puffiness of her eyes and her tear streaking cheeks. My fingers clutching the steering wheel as I continue to drive. 

A few hours past before I pull into a gas station. I put it in park and look back at my mom who is still holding her stomach in her sleep. I rummage through the bag finding some money before I jump out and go into the gas station. The light flickers walking up and the door dings when I walk in. Going to the counter, I put some money down. The guy behind the counter raises an eye brow at me. He looks behind me and around the store. 

"Princess, where is your mom or dad?"

I look up and smile at him pointing to the car. He still looks questionably at me. I give him a tight lip smile. He takes the money and puts it in the drawer still looking out to the car.

"You know I'm not used to having... 10, maybe a 12 year old paying me. Your parent's must really trust you." 

I just nod my head at him. I turn around walking out feeling his eyes still following me. A phone rings making him take off to the back. I quickly race back out pumping the tank before climbing back in the driver's seat and taking off. 

"Don't worry mom, I will protect you... both of you." I say out loud while still keeping my eyes glued on the road.

 I don't know what my future holds but I damn well know I will fight for it for not only for myself but for my family.