🖤pain🖤

Devi’s POV

I felt the soothing cold air brush against my skin as I closed my eyes. The sweet scent of damp earth filled my lungs as I took a deep breath.

Soft bird chirps fluttered through the morning air while they pecked at the grains I had scattered.

A squirrel cautiously approached, and I slowly reached out my hand with a peanut.

“Here, don’t be scared,” I whispered gently.

Love and care softened my gaze as I smiled at the tiny creature.

Suddenly, a sharp scream shattered the quiet.

“Devi!”

My aunt stormed towards me, anger burning in her eyes. Before I could say a word, she yanked my hair hard, a sting shooting through my scalp.

“You’re feeding those animals again? Did you even do the work I told you? You useless girl! Just wasting my money and food!”

Her voice cracked like thunder as she slapped me across the face. I stood frozen, eyes fixed on the floor, tears stinging my cheeks.

I was used to this pain, but it never got easier. Her words weighed on me like a mountain.

My throat tightened, making it hard to breathe.

“Go to the kitchen and wash the dishes! You’re no queen here!” she barked, dragging me toward the kitchen.

My legs trembled beneath me, threatening to give way.

I washed the dishes silently, sobbing quietly. I knew if I didn’t, the punishment would be far worse.

—–

Midnight.

Drenched and shivering, I stood at the door, cold and fear twisting inside me.

My fingers trembled as they hovered over the doorbell. Clutching my wet clothes for courage, I swallowed hard and finally pressed the button.

Moments dragged on like an eternity before the door creaked open.

My breath caught in my throat as my aunt’s cold eyes met mine.

She yanked me inside and slapped me so hard I crumpled to the floor.

I cupped my burning cheek, wiping away the tears that stung.

“Where were you, huh? Want to ruin our reputation?”

“Characterless girl! Where did you spend the whole night? Tell me!”

She pulled my hair again, dragging me upright. Pain shot through me as I struggled to stand.

“You deserve punishment. You’ll stay in the storeroom until you learn not to come home late!”

Before I could protest, she dragged me toward the dark, cramped room.

Silence was safer.

The door slammed behind me, plunging me into darkness.

I clutched my wet clothes, collapsing to the floor and curling into myself.

The damp smell of wood and dust choked my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but there was no difference, blackness didn’t change.

I could hear the darkness whispering to my soul, my own shaky breaths ringing in my ears.

The screams of my younger self echoed through the shadows, begging to be free.

“Bua, please! Let me out… I’m scared, please! It’s so dark… buaaa, please!”

Pain and fear clawed at me,

endless as the night.

Then—

Everything stopped.

I fainted.