Freedom

First sight

I gazed out the window as the sun reached its highest peak lighting up the small road. More light filtered into the basement making it seem bigger than it was. But the illusion the sun created made the space seem less claustrophobic. Comfortable almost.

Then thumping footsteps echoed through the basement taking away what little comfort I had found in the room, as someone made their way towards my door. I started to lower down to the floor in fear, when movement out the window caught my attention.
A tall boy with striking green eyes strode out of the woods and made his way down the road with a golden dog in tow. All his movements were fluid and precise as if each were planed ahead of time. I couldn't take my eyes off him, ensnared in his every movement even the way he gently pushed his black rim glasses up his nose. He strolled into the house across the street and disappeared into the massive door on the side of his house, the dog still loyally following him.

The air in the room shifted harshly, carrying the sickly scent of mothers perfume, seconds before the door slammed loudly against the wall at the top of the stairs. I dropped to the ground and curled up in a ball. I knew what was coming. I should have just listened this morning.
Each slap of rubber against the wooden stairs filled my stomach with dread, bringing mother ever closer to me. It was time! My punishment was coming. I shuffled back into the corner curling up as small as I could.

Finally after what seemed like hours mother rounded the bottom of the stairs her beady gaze sweeping the room before landing on me. A sinister smile spread over her face as she slowly made her way over to me.
When she got within reaching distance her hand shot out and grabbed a handful of my dirty blonde hair. Pulling me forward so I was face to face with her as she crouched.
"Sang, Sang, Sang" she tutted," what should I do with you today?".
I let out a small whimper and tried to move away but her hand just tightened in my hair pulling painfully at the roots. Her face hardened and I knew I had just made it worse.
"I will not tolerate the disrespect you have shown today. I will not have it! First not leaving when ordered, then loitering outside the car where someone could have seen you and now trying to get away, is it not bad enough I'm saddled down with a whore like you." She shrieked spittle flying into my face. I cringed back from the anger in her tone.
Mother then dragged me over to the corner and made me kneel. I stayed there not daring to move. Even as she walked away.
I let out a small sigh the punishment wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Footsteps came down the stairs again. But with each step I heard the squeak of a belt buckle moving. A booming laugh echoed around the room.
"You though you would get off that easily you really are as stupid as you bloody mother" she sneered.
I heard the footsteps stop behind me a tensed in fear of what was going to happen.
"Pull down the top of you dress" she ordered, but I was too scared to move. "I said pull down your dress" she screamed and smacked me on the arm with the belt raising an angry red welt.
I jumped into action pulling down the top of my dress exposing my pale skin to the punishment.
Blow after blow rained down on my back as I whimpered in pain, tears streaming down my face. Hot blood ran down my back soiling my dress and the floor.
After what seems like hours she stopped and grabbed the back of my head pulling me back.
"Remember this the next time you ever think of disrespecting me again". Then mother threw me to the ground making my head slam painfully against the concrete floor. Before walking back up stairs with a joyous bounce in her step.