Chapter 3 I will die very miserably

The cooker hood at home had been broken for a long time. Of course, how can I expect my father Jeff to fix it or buy a new one? I absent-mindedly cooked his breakfast in the kitchen. Jeff didn't want his breakfast to be monotonous, so I had to spend a lot of time on satisfying his picky appetite every time. Of course more often he just wants to make things difficult for me, so he is rarely satisfied with my cooking.

"Damn! There is lampblack in the room! What are you doing,bitch!" He cursed as he walked out of the bedroom. He looked at the already broken range hood in the kitchen, then looked at me, and said, "Why you didn't fix this guy?" I really wanted to refute him: I can't. But I couldn't say that, and of course I didn't even dare to speak. He probably wanted to beat me to show punishment, but he probably thought that I was indeed making breakfast for him, so the hand he had just raised put down again. Instead, there was a chattering urging, "Hurry up! I have something important to do today. So I need to go out to downtown. Don't delay my schedule because of you." What? He was not at home today! I was sure he won't come back at least during the daytime! This meant I would have almost a day of free time! I was stunned by my own thoughts, although for other children, it might be a sad day for their father not to be at home. But for me, such a day seems to be a gift from God.

"Don't you think I have no idea of what you are thinking about?" he interrupted my wishful thinking. "Do you know what does STAY AT HOME mean? If I find you are not here when I get home from downtown, then you know what will happen. DO NOT try to escape, anytime,Ellen." How long hadn't he called my name? I am not sure. But at the moment I only know one thing, if he finds me out, I will die very miserably.

I prepared toast, omelette, bacon and cereal for him. I didn't know if it was because I was very happy to know that he was not at home today. The breakfast I made was much richer. And Jeff seemed to be satisfied with this sumptuous meal because he would always complain after the meal about how bad the food I cook did not meet his requirements. After breakfast, he went out. Before going out, he turned back to me and said, "I would say it again. DO NOT go out. Otherwise..." He didn't finish speaking, just looked at my eyes, and then he closed the door hard and left.

I stood by the window and watched him drive a long way in his car, until I confirmed that he was completely out of my sight, then I was totally relieved. I went back to my bedroom and lay down in peace. I looked at the ceiling quietly, and then at the wall of my bedroom. It looked as if there were nail marks on it. Nail? Thinking of this, my back seemed to ache again. The nail marks on the wall may be left over after Jeff took the photo. These places should have hung our family portraits, but I have no memory of the photos at all. Thinking about it, my eyelids became extremely heavy, and then I seemed to have another dream...

(Amanda's POV)

At that time, I must have never thought that things would turn out to be like this.

"Be careful, Amanda! You are not a little girl anymore, be careful of your belly!" Jeff yelled at me not far away. I always laughed at him when he made a fuss. Of course I would protect my child. No, it should be our child. I stopped and rested on a bench in the forest. Because of my pregnancy, I started to pant a little after walking a few steps. Seeing that I was a little out of breath, Jeff hurried over to check if I was Okay. "The little guy kicked you!" He put his hand on my stomach and said, "Can you feel him?" I nodded, then corrected him and said, "Now we are not sure if it is a SHE or HE. . If you say that for the little princess, she will be angry!" Jeff laughed, "Yes, my queen!" Suddenly my smile froze on my face, even though I knew he was just joking. Jeff seemed to notice my anomaly, and then shook my shoulder, "Are you okay, Amanda? Your face doesn't look good? Are we going to get a doctor?" I quickly grabbed his arm to signal that I was okay. I was just a little tired, and then he helped me back to our house to rest.

I lay on the bed in the bedroom and said to Jeff, "Honey, I want to sleep for a while, I'm a little sleepy. You know, pregnant women always lack sleep." Jeff smiled and nodded, "Sleep well, darling, I'll call you when dinner is done." Then he closed the door of my room. After confirming that he was leaving, I sat up with difficulty. I opened my closet and took out a small box in the innermost drawer with a necklace inside. I clenched the necklace tightly and said, "I hope this can protect you, my child." After that, I put the necklace back where it was. God, I hope the things I worry about that would never happen, and I hope my children can grow up healthily and happily. That's all I wish.