FORTRESS

My father was the first man to have ever touched me, as abominable as it sounds that was my reality.

The bloody sick pervert!

He couldn’t even spare me just a little self-respect, he took it all. Not only did I get the slave treatment, he dealt with me as though he owned me. The furnitures in our house had a better privilege than me the human. He reminded me severally of the great mistake that I was and how I destroyed his life.

This I tell you, was the easy part.

I grew up with no mother figure whatsoever, alongside three younger siblings from different women, Tony, Onome and Tega. My dad was never married to any of them, it was either a mistake or an attempt to tie him down by the women. Whichever way it was, all proved abortive. The easiest escape was to dump the children on him and chase after a better life, which the women took as soon as they got the chance.

One would think this was the best plot to make Pa reflect on his despicable lifestyle. But no, it only made his promiscuous life easier as his new women did not have to go through the hassle of fighting a wife or an over territorial baby mama.

Each night Pa unfailingly snuck in at least one of his numerous side pieces, he didn’t mind that he shared a roof with children. The noise from his room kept me up every night wondering what exactly was going on.

Being the eldest underage meant that I should protect the younger ones, this got me in trouble more often than expected.

I remember that night like it was yesterday, the night was old and very cold. I had just put my siblings to sleep but we needed covering from the cruel wrath of the cold. I decided to pick it up myself in the storeroom just beside pa’s bedroom.

As usual, he was with one of his prostitutes, moaning and screaming as I remember. I had succeeded in getting the covers I needed then something caught my attention.

His door was left slightly opened and with the help of the small lantern at the center of the room, I could peek at them.

My eyes widened as I watched in terror, he had two women on his bed and also a whip in one of his hand. He’d whip each of them hard before thrusting and spanked them at random. The women cried out in pain but giggled or laughed right after.

In the midst of their agony his strong masculine voice came thundering

“say my name!!!”

With each time he commanded, the women responded but then he bit them, as though their response were not satisfying.

I gulped hard, the sight was indeed a terror to behold. I retraced my steps slowly, trying to shake off the abomination I had just witnessed. But with no warnings, I hit a wooden stool and fell flat on my face.

The noise as loud enough to awaken my siblings, I knew my dad had heard it loud and clear and I was in deep trouble.

With shaky hands and cold feet, I tried to run off into my room but tripped and fell.

Then I felt a strong had on my ankle, it was my dad’s.

He wore a strong face which I understood to mean anger.

“Had a fun time peeking through my door?” he asked.

My heart skipped a beat and strings of hot tears rolled down both my cheeks. I shook my head from side to side, completely dumbfounded.

He had adjusted the wrapper on his waist, smirked and left to his room. But this time, he shut the door and turned the locks.

I sat there on the floor for seconds unable to process all that had happened in such short notice.

At age fourteen, your mind doesn’t exactly sweep events like this under the carpet, you’re either scarred or altered totally.

Eventually, I went to bed that night. It was a chaotic one as all I got were nightmares.

The next day began like nothing happened. I dropped my siblings off for their home lesson a few miles away and went about my day as usual.

I did all the chores and prepared breakfast, the day was fast.

By nightfall, I had hurried my siblings to bed, I prepared everything on time and ensured I was on my bed before late.

But something unusual happened. My dad wasn’t home until 1:00am that morning and I had to be up to get the door when he got back.

Usually, he got home by eleven o’clock every night in the arms of his lovers.

I sat still waiting for him and by exactly one o’clock he knocked, I hurried to the door and swung it open immediately.

But shockingly, my dad was alone in company of no one. He smiled at me and staggered as he made his way into the house.

“Mimi”, he called brushing two of his fingers against my chin.

He reeked of alcohol, the strong smell from his breath nearly threw me off,

I feigned a smile and helped him to the chair. The cautious woman in me immediately reminded me to lock the door as it was an unholy hour of the night.

I bid him goodnight and was going to retire for the night when he gripped my wrist.

The firmness of his grip had my palm white and cold.

“You know you are a good girl, very caring and sweet”, he said. He pulled himself to his feet gripping the upholstery for support.

I stood still as I watched him get closer and closer.

“Do you have a boyfriend? “, he asked as he sucked his teeth.

I could feel his eyes on my body, he looked down at me like a lion to its prey.

N…nn…..nooo sir, I stuttered, unsure if he asked because he cared or so he could hit me.

He smirked, his right hand reached for my breast and gave it a light squeeze

“So you be virgin ehhn, Mimi?” he asked wearing a mischievous smile on his dark face.

By this time, I was already very uncomfortable.

I was the type of teenager that had the adult body, curvy hips and pronounced breasts. Quite unhealthy for the house I found myself in.

“Yesterday, you had fun watching….” He paused and pushed me to the chair.

“Today you’ll do the honors”, he added and immediately griped the hem of my skirt tightly.

He pulled severally with each tug dragging the waistband lower around my waist.

I screamed in horror, pleading with him to stop but he seemed to be getting off by my agony.

His rough hand pressed against my mouth, silencing my voice. I bit down on his hand as hard as I could but somehow, it only seemed to turn him on even more.

I kicked and kicked, thrashing with my hands and legs, desperately struggling for freedom but he was just so strong.

Despite my struggle, he successful took of my skirt, I then decided it was time to toughen up.

I landed heavy blows on his head, arms and chest with every blow being greater than the last. This only got him pissed, without a warning, he slapped me right across the face. And added multiple slaps before I recovered from the last.

The slaps had me feeling sorry for myself.

Without an atom of fear, he lifted me and slammed me back onto the floor with tremendous force.

I screamed with all that i had, my siblings immediately rushed into the scene but the man they saw was a beast now.

He immediately forced them into the room and locked them in it.

He came back, sat on my body and landed hard punches on my face. The effects were so fatal that I got a nose bleed and black eye.

He parted my legs and thrusted right in, at this point I was too weak to scream. I could only cry and curse.

He slapped and punched me as he thrusted harder. I curled my toes in excruciating pain.

He went on carelessly that i could feel myself actually tearing, his rough body against my delicate one.

Eventually, I passed out.