Chapter 145 - Dot (1/2)
This time I will leave the house.
Next time I will leave the town.
And then I will be finally free.
I repeated that phrase in my head over and over like a powerful charm, like a promise I made to myself. I vowed to escape from this house the moment I see a chance.
”Elizabeth! Get out and come here right now!”
The deep voice of a man echoed through the house reaching fiercely my ears. It was such a powerful voice that could send shivers to my spine every time I heard it. Once it was the cause of my happiness, now it only brought me sorrow.
I stayed hidden inside the closet cabinet while hearing the footsteps getting near step by step. My heart was beating so fast, I was so afraid that he will hear me. My body was trembling and my legs were shaking but I tried to restrain them with my arms.
Then from the little opening of the door, I could see the man's huge body walking from outside with the whip in his hand gripping it tightly. His red eyes were inspecting every corner of the room leaving nothing out. I just wished that he didn't remember the secret compartment of the closet. I just wished he can just leave.
”Eli, I know you are here, come out now and the punishment might be lighter.”
I won't come out. I won't. I know what will happen, I always know. Father is going to hit me with his whip until I faint from the pain. I always do. Katia told him that I stole the meat from the kitchens, and he became enraged. That time his eyes turned red and I knew I was doomed.
”Eli!”
I trembled but I won't come out. Not until he returned to his normal self, until he becomes my father, the gentle father I knew, the Great Duke of Hilltown. The one who raised me with love and care when my mother died. The one who brought me presents every time he went outside the town. How much I miss him. Why did he turn like this?
The changes started three years ago. He returned from a trip and he was different. His temper changed. Now instead of gifts, he rewarded me with punishments. Instead of smiles, he showed me indifference. Instead of teachings, he imparted me slaps. He was not my father anymore.
”Daddy? Did you find sister already?”
”Katia, baby, she is not here. Go back to your room.”
”But…”
”Go back or you will catch a cold.”
”Alright.”
My cute little sister was an innocent child. She was three years younger than me, and she never suffered any abuse from father. I am thankful for that, but I am afraid. What if he turns against her when I am gone? What if he has not enough with me?
”Daddy… daddy I know where big sister is.”
”Darling I told you to go to your room.”
”I know Dad, but I remembered where she used to hide when we play.”
He looked at the little girl with a gentle smile and patted her head carefully. My heart started beating fast and some drops of sweat came down my forehead. My eyes were already full of tears and I tried to muffle my mouth with my hands. 'Please, please, Katia, don't tell him.'
I felt my tears covering my face completely, I was so scared of letting out a sob that I bit my hands hardly leaving marks on my white hands.
”Sweety, where is this place? Where is your sister, darling?”
”Over there, daddy.”
She pointed at me with her little cute fingers. My heart stopped and panic surrounded me. I couldn't believe what was going on. Then I saw her eyes, they were not her ordinary eyes, they were malicious and evil with a tint of black inside them. Her little smile was smirking. More panic tormented me, and I felt blood running down my hand from the bite.
”Eli, you could have done this easier, but you chose the hardest way.”
He destroyed the closet with a hard lash of the whip and the door of the secret compartment broke. I was left completely exposed to his angry eyes. My tears and sobs were nonstop and the smell of blood from my hand was alerting.
”I will give you an opportunity to come out and tell me where you hid the meat, then your punishment will be lighter.”
”Daddy… I didn't… please daddy, don't hit me.”
”Eli, I will count to three and if you continue being stubborn you will face the consequences.”
”Please Daddy no…”
”One…”
”Please, don't hurt me, I didn't…”
”Two…”
”No…” My lungs couldn't contain my panic anymore. I was trembling.
”Three!”