Her saving Grace novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1- The Monster Living With Me

was terrified all the time.

I couldn’t go on like this. I was even afraid of my ovn shadow.

I heard a noise downstairs and I knew Allan was h me. He was probably searching the cabinets for his stash of alcohol. He was more violent when he was dr nk.

I heard my stomach grumbled again. I was really angry, but 1 couldn’t go downstairs, because he would see me and find a reason to hit me.

I really don’t know why my mother had married h . What had she seen in him? I don’t know why I ask that question, because I already knew the answer. He as rich and my mother needed the money.

Dad died when I was ten and we started to have oney issues. My mother had to do something in order for us to get by, so a year later she married Allan. She idn’t love Mtn and I knew he didn’t love her either.

Thinking about my mother, I touched the locket t at was around my, neck. My mother had given it to me when I was twelve. That was when she was healthy. T o years later, she became sick with lung cancer. Allan didn’t even care. He didn’t try his best to take care of h r and paylor her medications. She died a year later when I was fifteen.

I opened the locket and looked at the picture insid . It was a photograph of my mother and I. We were both smiling widely at the camera. I was really happy at day. I sighed. I really miss you, Mom. I knew you would never allow this to happen.

I closed the locket and went to lay on my bed. I w s really thankful that tomorrow was the first day of senior year, so I don’t have to be home all the time with him anymore.

I remember clearly the first time he hit me. It was six months after my mom had died. ** Flashback **

I had just finished my homework and I went dowristairs to make myself a sandwich.

As soon as I stepped in the kitchen, Allan, my stepfather, was leaning on the counter, a bottle of whiskey in his right hand. I didn’t say anything because he was like this most days. He didn’t even talk to me anymore.

I went over to the fridge to retrieve the cheese, tomato and mayonnaise.

“Kayla,” I heard Allan called. I closed the fridge and turned around to face him. I waited for him to speak. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?” He asked.

“No. I was in my room doing homework.” I replied.

“When I call you a next time, I want you to answer me.” He said, stepping closer to me. I scrunched up my nose from the stench of alcohol on his breath.

“Okay, but I really didn’t hear you.” I said, confused about his behaviour. It happened so fast and took
me by surprise, but the next thing I know is that I was folding my cheek. He had hit me and it hurt like hell.

“Do you hear me?!” He roared.

I looked at him in surprise. Man, he must really be drunk. I would never thought he would hit me. He had never before. “Yes.” I said quietly.

I got up early the following morning and quickly got ready for school. As usual, I put on a lot of
foundation and concealer to hide the bruises. I took up my bag and the house key and went downstairs.

“Kayla!” I heard my name being screamed. I knew exactly who it was immediately. I turned around with a wide grin on my face.

“Jazzy!” I greeted one of my best friends; Jasmine homas. She finally reached me and flung her arrtis around me.

“Girl, I missed you so much!” She exclaimed, sque zing me tight.

“I missed you too.” I replied, then pulled away. “H w was Thailand?” I asked. “It was great. I can’t believe summer’s over.” She s id.

“Yeah, me too.” I sighed.

“Hey, have you seen Kevin or Lucas yet?” She aske

“No,” I replied. Kevin Harris and Lucas Martin we my other best friends. It has always been the four of us since middle school.

“Hey, hey, hey. Look who’s here.” I heard a familia voice behind me. Jasmine and I turned around to see Kevin strutting towards us.

“Speak of the devil and he appears.” Jasmine tease , grinning widely.