Thalia:

Life is a test, right? A test we all hadn't studied for. I dropped my backpack on the wooden floor and slammed the door shut. My eyes trailed the dimly lit kitchen and narrow corridor. I sighed heavily and dragged my bag up the stairs.

After lunch, things went downhill fast. Whenever I closed my eyes I was instantly transported to my dream or I had shivered. I climbed up the stairs, passed the narrow hallway towards my room and made sure I emailed Andrew to come over because I did not want to be home alone with my dad who cheated once again. Lined above the stairwell was a painting of Mary, Mother of Yeshua and a wooden crucifix. Honestly, my dad was pissed off whenever he saw that. He wasn't as religious as my mother and I but me too. I opened my door, padded to my bed then plopped on it. I didn't care that I didn't switch on my lights but I rolled and stared at my glow-in-the-dark stars and admired the light.

At school I got in trouble numerous times because sometimes I daydreamed but or doodle when I bored or confused. I sketched but what I sketched where not doodles. I drew on the margins of skulls, bones and ice in the middle of history. I gaped at my sheet as it was snatched from me.I was so embarrassed.

Why are you so obsessed with death, Thalia?

I don't know.

I watched as the sun dip below the horizon when the doorbell chimed. My lips curled with joy and in less than two minutes, I changed and cleaned my room. Four more minutes, I ran down the wooden stairs, glared at my dad who watched the news and opened the door. I expected to see Andrew but instead I saw my mother. I wrapped my arms around her waist, and she ruffled my hard curls but then again, it was too short.

My mother was petite and looked like a doll compared to my dad but it was common because my dad was huge. She worked a long shift at a local clinic but that was a lie. She wore her scrubs and looked exhausted but she kind of copied my style and she wore long sleeves with everything. She long ago braided her hair into knotless braids to avoid going to the salon. Instant regret.

"Mom,"I croaked. "You're back. How was work? "I asked, I couldn't contain my excitement as I stepped on my tippy toes as she entered into the house, looked around and forced a relaxed smile. I noticed something strange. My mother was far younger than my dad but I was being paranoid as I tugged her wrist and sat her down at the small wooden table by the counter.

"Work was great, honey. How was school?" She asked, her warm, brown eyes twinkled.

"I-It was okay." I stammered, drummed my thin fingers on the wooden surface as I tried to form a lie and my eyes darted to a crucifix nearby. My mom cocked her head to the side, pursed her pink lips into a thin line and nodded.

"If there is anything wrong, Thalia. You know you can tell me?" My mother advised, as I balled my fist on my jeans and forced a nod. I can't keep lying but what about my dad.

He'll call us weak.

Screw him.

My mother got up, sighed heavily then climbed up the stairs and she didn't spare my dad a glance. The doorbell chimed again as a loud, annoyed chuckle escape from his mouth. I groaned then opened it as Andrew grinned at me but frowned at my dad. I raised a brow and dragged him up the stairs as he tried to greet my father but he shot me a death glare.

"Whore." he spat as Andrew's eyes widened.

"You're a church boy, right?" I spoke obnoxiously loud as Andrew nodded slowly.

"Um, g-good morning, sir." Alex screamed, my father shook his head and turned his back as us.

"Good evening." I corrected.

"Um, g-good evening."

I collapsed on my bed, sighed heavily as Andrew closed the door but a foot stepped in and left the door ajar to Andrew as lump formed on his throat, held his breathe and stiffened. My father gawked at his weird plaid outfit and suspenders and chuckled again then he vanished down the hallway. When the coast was clear, he breathed out and placed his hands on his chest as I tried to understand what just happened.

"T-Thalia, I'm scared. Utterly confused. Wasn't your dad like downstairs a minute ago, "he blurted as he grabbed his music sheet, shuffled them and sat on my bed. All I did was nod.

I breathed in and stared at him dead in the eye, "Why are you scared of my dad?"

He shrugged, hands trembled as beads of sweat formed on his check. "I can't really explain. You might not even believe me." He warned, his voice unsteady.

I bowed my head.

He gulped, "W-well for one thing. Y-your dad is scary-looking, very huge and tall. Does he work out?"

I cocked my head," Well yeah. That's what everyone says." 

He doesn't.

He cleared his throat and swallowed again, "W-when your dad invited me to his study. Less than two years ago, I felt claustrophobic ,like I couldn't breathe and scared for some odd reason then he spoke something and my mind drifted somewhere else. I saw scary things and he threatened me with awful words as a monster tried to eat me." He blurted, eyes blank as he recalled the memory as his eyes shine with tears .

My eyes darted away from him as I placed both hands on his shoulders. He shook and hastily wiped his tears away. I felt guilty but he wasn't the only who complained about hallucination's from my dad but he did it to only guys. I had friendships with guys but they were short-lived and after my dad's creepy study ritual they complained that they saw strange things so they avoided me altogether and whenever they saw me. It was fear or hate in their eyes. Rumours spread that my dad was a father obsessed with daughter not dating but I'm thirteen, dad. I never had attractions to any boy and it never crossed my mind at all.

We studied for twenty minutes after that but I didn't complain at all. It was a calm and comfortable silence as we did our homework, made jokes and played music and had a mini dance party in my room .It was fun when it lasted. After that I helped him I helped him study his hymn and his angelic voice echoed through my room as I heard his voice then I clapped.

"Bravo, Brava." I cheered as he bowed dramatically with his hands.

Suddenly, the door knocked. I held my breathe. Then pounded, fast and loud then my mother yelled.

"Thalia, you in there!" Mom screamed.

"Y-yes, mom."

"We need to talk." She replied, her voice firm and a bit shaky. I swung my feet off the bed as he lowered the volume of 'Asonto.'I gawked at Andrew, who swallowed and followed me aimlessly but dramatically gave a farewell. I groaned and walked down the stairs slowly only to witness my parents' screaming and accusing each other. My mother, a tired lady had bags under her eyes and tears threatened to spew from her eyes as she glared at my father. Then like lightening, he placed his big hands on her shoulders as she screamed and writhed in his iron grip as she melted against him and swallowed down her sobs. I recoiled and placed a palm on my mouth and froze mid-step. He stroked her braid with his finger but she shouldered him and yanked herself from his grip. Their yells echoed in the kitchen towards my room as Alex pressed his hands to his ear as I resumed my walk down. Our walls were thin but I hoped my neighbours at least heard all and reported my dad.

Her breathe become ragged as she clenched and unclenched her fist. I knew my mother was stubborn and strong and no nasty remark will force her down.

She gave my father a hard glare and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Don't be rash, now," She cautioned, pointed her fingers to my room, "Thalia is up there with that boy. And I swear she did. And him. They heard every word. I hope, no. I pray she heard it. But she won't come down again."

Then I realized how small my mother was to my father. She was a dwarfed in comparison by his huge muscular build and his square glasses perched on his nose did nothing. His lips pulled into a sneer as he clenched and unclenched his fist. She was lanky like me but she was fairer by me with her long face.

"Felicia, "He warned.

"Do it, hit me. If you're a man. Hit me." She taunted, her anger boiling. My mother raised her eyes and gestured to me to enter my room. I watched Alex horrified expression as turned his head and melted in the dim lit hallway back to my room but I was determined to stay. I planted my foot as my mother shook her head.

Idiot.

Instant regret fuelled my veins when I heard the conversation exchanged between them.

"She's your daughter! Your own flesh and blood and yet you'd do this. To her." she screamed as he flinched with each word as he tumbled back.

"It's the only way. She can't avoid it .It's part of her weather she shows it or not!" He shot back.

"It's a stupid and disgusting. Don't you care about her?" She screamed, then she whispered," She...she can die." She stopped abruptly and turned away as he tried to reassure her but she wrenched his hand again. She bared her teeth at him then. His hand collided with her face as she winced. He shoved him and pushed her on the couch and wrestled her," Shut up, woman. I'm tired of you speaking against me." He almost looked or felt guilty but it melted away as soon as it come.

She tried to bite him even though her hands were pinned to her sides as she kicked and thrashed her legs.

"Our daughter." She moaned.

***

I sat on my bed, the lights dimmed. Alex left hours ago. I made him more traumatised and concerned when he followed me halfway down the stairs.

Why did my mom call us-me?

Maybe she called him to witness. My face brightened so he could report him to the police but now he's scared to the bone.

Stupid Thalia.

I rocked on my bed as the chill of the cold tinkle my face. I cried for long and it was a mask of cold but I was too unbothered to wipe it.

What was this argument about it that both my parents where yelling at each other? Whatever it was it was important.

***

Our dinner was quiet apart from the clatter of our spoons. My father was unamused as we dug into a meal. I hadn't eaten in a long time, it was jollof rice cooked with big chucks of beef. It was a thick uncomfortable silence that made me squirm. My mother went up and down scooping and washing the dishes but they seemed unbothered by what I heard and as if nothing had happened.

Why did you call me? I stared hard at my mother who avoided my gaze as she worked. My father buried his head in the newspaper, two days old and reread while we ate on meal. Two hours had passed after that incident that was exchanged and it was late to eat but none of us had the heart to complain.

My mother sat down, stared at her phone and grinned as my father peeked a scowled as she did so.

Ooooh, jealously.

Hypocrite.

I smirked and ate my food and bit my meat. It might be ten in the evening but food is food. My mom propped her shoulders and smiled, lips pursed.

"Thalia, we have a surprise for you." Mom gushed as my father shook his head with disapproval.

My eyes widen as leaned back and scanned my parents. My mom grinned wide and my father chuckled. My mom gave him a look as he sighed heavily and wordlessly dropped a small, black box on the table and it caused the table to shook. I looked up as she encouraged me with her eyes as dad continued to shake his head.

I opened the case, looked inside and reeled back as my eyes widened. My mother squealed and acted like a toddler getting a gift and my dad was stoic and unamused the entire time. In it was a blueberry phone layed on a soft red velvet as I squealed.

A cell phone.

But why?

I stared at my parents but I was paralyzed with shock as my assignment melted away and replaced with confusion.

"Mom,dad.Why?"I blurted.

My mother grinned, "Thalia, you're growing up. We need to contact you now."

"I-I'm just surprised." I stared at my dad, hard but his gaze unaverred. Was daddy trying shut me up or kiss my butt or both?

I switched it on and noticed the battery was already green and full and everything was set.

So it was planned.

My mom smiled.

"Our contacts are already in there so you can text and call us in case of any emergency."My mother advised with stern eyes and a sudden hardened gaze as I replayed my parent's conversation that was long forgotten.

Then she switched. "Now, you can customize it even further," She paused as my father cleared his throat and straightened his spine. He looked –no assessed me, at me through his lens but I knew better. He was keen and smart. He could see things too well. He wore those to seem clean and smart.

It was obviously a plan to keep me in check. Lord knows, if he-they could be tracking me. Everything else than my parents right now seemed interesting. I stared at the lights, the floor and the window which was pitch black and eerie quietness of our neighbourhood. It was funny how my dad could hide or switch his emotions. It felt colder and the air seemed thin as I stared at my food now cold and my phone now heavy in my palms.

Not a soul was out.

"Now, Thalia. We- no I have some ground rules you need to follow." He trailed.

"More rules." I croaked. My mother was silent as a graveyard and no sound drifted from anything in the house. It was quiet. Too quiet. And cold. We had a family computer and it blocked me from a lot of things. I couldn't even use Google without a passcode or YouTube even though I'm thirteen and was warned of the dangers of the internet so I didn't complain.

"Yes, you got a phone but you shouldn't' be greedy for more. You must text us at all times. What are doing afterschool and things? Where you are, the people you associate with and more importantly no adding more contacts especially boys. If you are caught with a number of a boy. There will be consequences of your actions or even befriended one." He warned, his voice oddly deeper and gruffer as ice pulsed my veins as I nodded and gulped. Just as far the suffocation formed it vanished as my lungs expanded.

My mother flinched and in her eyes were obvious. It's too much.

My other stared at me blankly and tapped her fingers on the table, absentmindly.I should've known it was all too good to be true but not all the rules were bad.

My parents were strict but my father was not.

He was toxic.

"You are going to start a new school. Thalia .But that will be next week. I want you to be on your best behaviour. You would be writing your exams next week so study well. You are dismissed." He commanded. Suddenly, the food and phone seemed worthless.

I rose up and picked up the phone but dad gestured with his eyes to drop it as I practically dragged myself to my mom half full as my mother's gaze followed me.

"Oh, and Thalia. You'll be wearing uniforms so don't dress like a slut will you. "He spat.

I froze as I yanked the door open. My anger at his peak. Does he even know what uniforms are?

I'm not a slut.

He knew the way I dressed was because of him and inspired my religion to be modest but he used those as insults to break me down and jeer me.