Cendra woke up one night to the sound of angry shouting. A familiar fear clutched at her heart, as she realized the voice to be that of her father. She crawled out of bed, groping through the dark until she reached the stairs. A faint light glimmered against an opposite wall. Attempting to creep down the steps without being heard, she was startled at the sound of a loud slap, and she heard the voice of her mother give a small cry. A shadow moved quickly across the source of light.
As Cendra crouched against the wall, shaking, her father’s angry footsteps stomped across the room towards the stairs. Torn between the desire to help her mother, and dread of the retribution she would receive if she attempted to do so, she did what she always had before: she turned to flee.
She was too late. A hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Struggling for a moment, she gave up and stared at her feet, unable to meet the gaze of the one who held her.
“Well look what I caught,” her father said, his breath in her face. It smelled of alcohol. “What are you doing spying on me and your mother’s discussion?”
“Dad, I’m sorry!” Cendra choked out, wincing as his fingernails dug into her skin. “I didn’t mean to, I - I swear. It’s just I needed a drink-”
“Liar,” he accused her, “Wicked, rebellious girl. You should be grateful for how merciful I’ve been to you. Instead, you repay me by lying, sneaking around my back, and betraying me.” He shook her arm viciously. She fought back tears.
“What do you mean, betraying you?” she exclaimed, voice breaking, “I’ve never done anything to harm you in my life!”
“How dare you say that to my face!” he exclaimed, “I know that you were about to run to the neighbours and stain my reputation with your lies. Get back to bed, before I think better of it and give you the punishment you deserve!”
He shoved her towards the stairs. She ran up into the dark, and stumbled into bed. Her pillow was soaked with tears by the time she fell asleep.
