I woke up at 5am, as usual, and got ready for school. My whole body ached from the beating I received last night and I was tempted to skip school, but I'd rather deal with the pain than stay at home.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Iris West/ Allen (my mothers maiden name). My life, in a nutshell, sucks. Up until I was around seven, I had a great life with my brothers and kind loving parents. However, my mother- Elise- and my father- David- began fighting and soon that lead to a divorce. Elise got me while my father got my brothers.

My brothers (though they don't deserve that title anymore) weren't happy with that decision. I still remember the four of us hiding in the bathroom with tears streaming down our faces. They had to break the door down, but even then my brothers fought, but to no avail.

The year after that was tough. Elise started ignoring me- what I would give to go back to that time- and soon, she fell into bad company, namely John.

John was the Devil himself. He's like the kid who your parents warn you to stay away from, his hobby is breaking the law on a daily basis, but he never gets caught. He always has a cigarette in his mouth and reeks of alcohol.

Soon, Elise began beating me. At first, it was just a couple of slaps when I did something wrong, but now, she would abuse me for no reason. Being a naive young child, I used to think that it was my fault. However, I now know that parents aren't supposed to beat their kids and it isn't my fault.

You're probably wondering why I haven't told anyone. If I did, where would I go? My loving father and kind brothers (note the sarcasm) didn't try to contact me after we left. Hell, I even tried to call them, but Janet- David's assistant- had answered. She told me my father no longer wanted his disgusting child and I should be grateful that somebody took me in.

I didn't try contacting them after that. I considered it when Elsie almost took it too far, but I read a news article about him being remarried and I decided not to be a burden on him. My brothers and father look so happy, and it turns out I have 3 new stepbrothers.

Anyway, I quietly snuck down the creaking stairs and passed Elsie's room, where she was sleeping off the alcohol she consumed last night. Fortunately, I didn't see John anywhere. I dry swallowed some painkillers I nicked from the pharmacy and began my walk to school.

Tricomy School. Oh how I loathed it. The students bullied me, the teachers were evil and I had no friends.

Well, I did have one- don't, Iris.

As I was walking up the stone steps, I got a call from my boss/friend, Harry.

"Hey, Rose," Harry greeted. 'Rose' was my code name.

"Hey Harry," I smiled, "all good?" I was referring to the shipments made last night.

"Yes," Harry replied, "you'll find your payment in the usual spot."

"Cheers," I ended the call. Sighing, I made my way to the hellhole known as school.

X (Sorry to interrupt your reading but if you're reading this on any other site that is not Wattpad you are likely to be at risk of a malware attack. Or someone has stolen my work. Kindly report the user and you can read the story on Wattpad by BlueStarrySky1)

It happened during Maths.

My name was crackled over the broken intercom, "would Iris Allen please come to the principles office?"

The class 'oohed' and cried out 'the freaks in trouble!' What were we? Twelve?

When I entered the Office, I expected Miss Adams to be angry- like usual- instead, she looked sympathetic.

"Iris, please take a seat," I did so and she smiled pityingly, "I'm sorry to inform your that your mother has overdosed and died."

I stared at her in shock. My mother, dead? The twisted, sadistic part of me was glad and relieved she was dead; I would no longer have to worry about getting a beating or pay the bills or anything, really. However, a small part of me felt sad that Elsie had died; she was still my mother, even if she didn't act like it.

Overdose? I never thought Elise would take drugs... I knew she had a drinking problem, but drugs? I bet John had something to do with it.

Oops. Miss Adam's looking at me. Time to play the grieving daughter.

"Where- where will I go?" I asked.

"Your father has kindly agreed to take you in," Miss Adams smiled, "one of your brothers will be here shortly to pick you up."

My brothers?! No, no, no, I can't handle this right now. I got up to leave, ignoring my name being called out behind me. There was no way I was going back there. Maybe I can call Harry and ask him to arrange something for me.

However, I barely made it two steps out of the room when a jovial and familiar voice called out, "Iris?"

😈