“ When it all began.”

Even the most beautiful places turn dark during the night.  I never liked the dark not because you can’t see when it’s dark no, I’m not even frightened by the monsters that crawl at night. I don’t like the dark because that is when Niklaus has to go home.

“ Do you have to go Nik?” I mumbled into his chest as I hugged him goodbye.

“ Yeah. But don’t worry I’ll be back in the morning so we can go to the creek again!” Niklaus exclaimed while a bright smile on his young face.

“ But why do you have to go now!” I stomped my foot showing my frustration only to have Niklaus laugh at my antics.

“ Because Cornelia mama is going to be done with dinner soon I have to go.” He said letting me go and walking towards the door.

“ Bu-” 

“ Sweetheart let the poor boy go he will be back tomorrow.” My mother said cutting me off as she walked into the room. She reached down and picked me up as we waved goodbye to Niklaus.

I don’t like the dark, because that’s when Papa comes home. The door to the cottage slammed shut as my father stumbled in from the cold winter night, a rum bottle in hand. 

“ Come here, woman!” I heard my father snap from the kitchen then soft footsteps following. 

“ Deary it’s late please let us just go to bed.” I now hear my mother’s soft voice.

“ No! I ain’t fucken tired yet.” I heard papa spit at my mama. “ Get over here ya whore!” I heard my father yell once more, along with a scream coming from my mother. Against my better judgment, I got out on my hammock and run to the kitchen.

“ Mama!” I yelled seeing her bloody and on the floor.

“ Cornelia go back to your room!” My mother shouted her eyes filled with worry.

“ I told ya I never wanted to see your face didn’t I?” My father spoke in a low voice.

“ But I heard mama scream you hurting her again!” I tried defending myself as tears welled in my eyes.

“ IT’s none of your concern your runt!” My father screamed as he throws his rum Bottle at me, hitting my face.

“ Nelia!” Mama called out as I am kicked by my father

“ Should have been the runt to die not the eir.” That was the last thing my father said to me before my world turned black.

Days passed since the incident, My eye was broken thats what the nice doctor told me. Then mama, well mama left I don’t know where she went. The only one that stayed was Niklaus, He doesn’t know what happened,  but I don’t want him to what if he thinks the same way as papa or leaves like mama did?