She just wanted to watch it all burn to ash and blow away. She couldn’t handle it anymore. Her mind was foggy, her body trembling. Allison slowly got up and looked around her room. It was a bare, cold walk-in closet with nothing more than a thin sheet, her chains, and herself. Her tiny wrists were black and blue, along with her arms, legs, and body. She felt her ribs stick out from her chest as she tries to think of anything that happened.

This was her first memory. She rolled in her bed, wishing it was just a nightmare, but she had been up for days. After many sharp breaths, she rose from her comfy bed. It’s in the past, she thought. It was merely the past. She looked at the clock and turned off her alarm. She was wide awake; no need for that to shout at her. Suddenly, she heard footsteps in the hall. Was it him? She pondered this as she forced herself to the door.

Luckily for her, it was just Melissa.

Melissa was a comfort to Allison, always wanting to be by her. Melissa gave her the motherly love she never felt. They saved each other. Melissa was her cousin, but she had custody over Allison. Melissa never minded the relation; Allison was her daughter to her and that was enough.

“Another nightmare?”

“No, this was worse.” Allison shifted her weight. No matter how long she knew her, it still made her anxious to speak of her problems. Melissa had enough problems on her shoulders, she didn’t need her weighing on her as well.