Chapter 1: Hell
{Screaming and arguing}
9pm - Sunday.
The sounds of your parents barking at each other over shit comes as no surprise. Locked up in your room, you're curled up in a ball, waiting for it all to end. Tears slowly trickle out the corners of your eyes, shaking in fear of what comes next, because no matter all the shit that you have been up to, to this, day, you can't do anything about my Foster parents. Not one damn thing.
Living in the harsh community of West baltimore isn't easy. Every other day there is a shooting on the corner, or a nigga on the block selling rocks.
At the age of 6, you were left abandoned by your biological parents and put into a Foster home. You were then adopted by your current Foster parents, who happen to be an hard line, gang banging couple who work the corner every morning. However, in the midst of it all, they have provided for you over the years.
"Diamond!" Your father yells from outside the door. You struggle to your feet and steel yourself as your father bursts open the door.
"Your mom is acting up! Fix that shit!" You stare at your mother, who looks distraught.
"Nah I ain't fixing your mess. Handle shit on your own!"
You howl back at your father, who looks at you in shock.
"W-What did you just say?"
"You started your shit, now handle it like man!"
You turn away and head back to your room door when suddenly he grabs you on the arm
"You dont turn away from me when I'm talking to you!"
"Get your fucking hands off of me!" You pull out of his grasp and hurry back to your bedroom and slam the door.
"I spend hours every day on the block helping making dough to put food on your table, and that is how you treat me?!"
You refuse to answer, only slumping down behind the door to drown out the cacophony of voices shouting in your head. You crawl into bed and close your eyes, hoping things will get better later.
7pm...
The sound of your bedroom door opening wakes you up. Its your mother
"Diamond? Food is downstairs. And we having a family meeting" You rub your eyes as you crawl out of the bed.
"What is it this time?" You ask, staring intently at your mother's eyes
"You'll see. Just come downstairs will you?" She walks out the door
You reluctantly follow your mom down the staircase to the kitchen table, where three plates of what seem to be spaghetti bolognese is sat at the table. Your father sits at the other end.
"Things are getting rough out there on the streets. My provider is slowing down with the goods, so we ain't gonna eat for a while." You absent mindedly munch at your food as your dad continues to speak
"I work hard to provide for this family. The gang does. The mafia does. But I've been the best at it. I've done everything over the years to protect yall in this neighbourhood, to put food on the table, the least I demand is some respect in return!" His aggressive tone puts you off immideatly. You roll your eyes in response
"You ain't do nun but gang bang all day, thats all you care about. Providing for the family my ass. Everything has always been bout your street game!" You yell in protest.
Your dad looks at you with contempt
"I picked your dirty ass off the streets at the age of just 6 years old when your deadbeat parents decided to abandon you. I fed you, I loved you, I cared for you! IM your fucking father! Its the motherfucking streets that ensured I fed you!"
The words sting like acid in your ears. Fighting back angry tears, you get up from the table and fling your plate of food off the table. Food goes everywhere as the plate shatters into pieces. You stare at your mother, who seems to have removed herself from the situation entirely.
"You're not my dad. And you never will be!" You turn away and rush up the stairs when suddenly you hear your father's footsteps behind you. He grabs you by the neck and throws you to the ground
"Ahhhhhhhh!"
He begins slamming his foot into your stomach, shouting profanities and derogatory insults at you as he does so. You scream in agony as hot bile rises in your throat. Your mother stands by in shock and horror as your father continues his relentless assault.
Your consciousness begins to waver, as your father turns his tirade towards your mother. The next thing, you notice, is your entire world turning pitch black.
