(Ash's POV)

When I woke up, I was actually in a good mood. I felt like no one could touch me, nothing could hurt me.

That was because it was my tenth birthday. I was excited about the double digits, and the bruise from when my mother had hit me had faded away too. A part of me wishes that she'd fade away like that, but I tried not to think about it.

It was my birthday, after all. It was a day to be happy and to enjoy myself.

I was smiling as I got up and ran out of my room, laughing and yelling about what day it was. My mother never seemed to remember, so I'd always yell about it to remind her. She was always nice about it on my birthday.

However...

This one was different. When I laughed and yelled for her, instead of hearing her voice, I heard the sound of something shattering and heavy footsteps. My smile faded, but I tried to keep the good mood. I really did try to keep it.

But when I saw her... She looked angrier than I could ever remember her being. I backed up, my eyes widening in fear as my mood shifted abruptly from excited to dreadful and terrified. I let out a small whimper, "M-Mom....? It... I'm ten now.."

She just let out a grumbling sound, "Ten years of suffering from a useless child."

I shook my head and cried, "Y-You.. You're supposed to be happy for me.. Y-You're always happy for me.."

"Ten... Ten whole years with you."

Disgust laced her voice, mixing with the pre-existing anger. It felt like she'd hit me, even though she hadn't yet. I stumbled and sobbed, tears streaming down my face, "Wh-Why are you suddenly so.. S-So mean..?"

She glared, "Because you were supposed to end up in the trash, not here. Because you're pathetic, useless, an accident!"

I winced, hurt by her words, and backed away more, "M-Mom.." I cried.

"Don't call me that." She snapped, "You are not my child. You're nothing but a useless mistake. You aren't anything! You're not even worth that life you waste."

I closed my eyes, reaching my breaking point, "N-No I'm not.. I'm.. I-I'm..."

My eyes snapped open again as suddenly I was hit by something heavy. I stumbled back, glancing up at my mother in time to see her throw something else at me. It hit my head.

I collapsed for a moment before stumbling back to my feet and rushing outside. Something flew out after me as I ran down the street. Once I was a few feet away, she disappeared into the house again. I heard a clicking sound that signaled that she'd locked me out. She didn't want me near her.

That was the day I realized.. She was right.

I am useless.