Prologue
NIKOLAI
*six years old*
"I didn't do it papa!"
I scream as he drags me out of the room by the hair.
"Aleksi! He said he didn't do it."
My mother yells from the other side of the locked door.
"You stole from me and still have the guts to deny it?!"
He pushes me to the ground and I land straight on my face. I crane my neck, looking at him over my shoulder.
"Where is it?!"
He yells,spit flying out of his mouth
"I don't know! I didn't take it."
"Aleksi!"
My mother shouts and bangs on the door
"Shut up you whore!"
He shouts back but she doesn't stop banging. His hands move to the front of his trouser and my eyes widen.
No.
He folds his belt in the middle and lifts it in the air
Whip!
"Ahh."
I scream as scorching heat slaps on my soft flesh.
Whip!
Whip!
"Mama!"
"Aleksi! Stop. He's your son."
"He's nothing but a little thief."
Whip!
"Papa please."
"You will not steal from your father again!"
I hear a door click in the background and then soft tender hands wrapping around me.
"Stop.."
My mother's voice filters through the whooshing sound in my head.
"He's just a child."
"Fix your child or next time,I won't be this merciful."
The faint sound of heavy boots has my body relaxing a bit,He's leaving.
"It's okay baby,it's over."
Mama,she's here. I'm safe.
I close my eyes and embrace the darkness.
