Shattered [On Hold]

Prologue

- Kady -

Okay, calm down. Calm down...You can do this.

Deep breaths. Just like Lucy taught you. Inhale...Exhale.

Damn it, Kady! You didn't do anything wrong. You are finally getting what you wanted, right?

Why the hell am I so nervous, then?

You are finally getting out of this hellhole. You do NOT deserve to be here. You are NOT guilty. Don't panic. Don't panic. Shit!

I am totally panicking. What if they do it again? What if they come again? And what if this time...they come for my family? What will I do then?

Get a grip, girl. You can't let them see you like this.

My family has already been through a lot. I have to be strong. I have to be strong for my family and friends.

I am finally getting out of prison for the first time after a month.

I know I should be happy and excited to get out of here, but all I feel is fear.

"Kady."

I stop worrying my bottom lip and look up.

"Everything's done here. Come on, they're waiting outside," my brother, Liam, says and puts his arm around my shoulders.

We start shuffling towards the door.

"You're awfully quiet today. Aren't you excited?" Liam asks.

I look up at him. He is smiling, but he can't hide anything from me. I know he is worried for me.

"Yeah, I'm excited." I give him a smile in return. A fake smile. "I'm really excited." I try my best to put on my happy face. I don't want him to worry for me. I don't want anyone to worry for me. I can handle myself.

But he is right. I should be excited and happy. Not nervous. It's just...I can't shake off this uneasy feeling.

I am frightened. Frightened to go out into the world I'm not yet ready to face. Frightened that they would strike again. Honestly, I think I was feeling somewhat safe behind the bars, knowing that no one could get in to hurt me there. But once I'm out, they could easily make a move to hurt me.

What if they try to hurt my family this time?

No. No one is going to get hurt this time. No one.

We finally reach the door. The outside world is just on the other side of this door. I'm just a step away from my freedom.

My brother opens the door and lets me go through it first. I take a deep breath and step out into the bright daylight. My eyes start watering from the sudden brightness, but I don't care. I won't lie. It feels good to be out of the gloomy prison.

Just as I start to tilt my head towards the sun, someone tackles me. Shocked from the sudden attack, I fall to the ground. But I know just who would attack me this way.

"I missed you so much, Kady! You're finally free!" my younger sister says as we sit there on the dirty ground.

It's too much for me. I can't control it anymore. The tears start pouring out of my eyes and soon I am being crushed by two more pairs of arms so tight that I can't breathe. My mother and elder brother have joined us. Our whole family is together. It feels so good to be with them again.

"I missed you, too," I say.

And yes, I am finally free.