𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 [𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐩. 𝐗 𝐨𝐜]

tw: swearing, abuse, blood

disclaimer: I DO NOT SUPPORT CHILD ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, ETC. PLEASE LEAVE THIS STORY IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THESE TOPICS. IF YOU ARE ABUSED, IN A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, ETC, GET HELP BY CALLING 911.

𝟏𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐎𝐕.

WHACK! SLAM! “GET BACK HERE YOU BITCH!” Mother screamed at me. I scrambled out of the house. “YOU GODDAMN SIN! GET BACK HERE!” She screamed at me, and made Father run after me. I was terrified. I ran towards the road on broad daylight near the outskirts of Camelot. If I made it past Father, away from that hell hole, the true sins, would I be safe? But I faltered and tripped on a small rock. I yelped. I looked back. Father was a fat man. I grabbed my glasses that had fallen off my face, and fixed my long raven hair. “Help me!” I yelled. “HELP!” I tried crawling away as Father neared. Tears began to well up. “NO PLEASE!” I kicked at Father, as he tried to pick me up. I got up and crawled before I bumped into a young boy. “Oof!” I yelped. I looked up at the young orange haired boy. I was met with purple vibrant eyes. “Who’s that?” He asked me, pulling me up to my feet. “Hello, young man!” Father swooned. We could smell alcohol from his breath. I clutched the boy. “My daughter and I were just about to get inside! She’s just so nauuughty.” Father pouted, obviously drunk. “Don’t make me go...” I whispered to him. He looked at me, concerned. “Merlin! Over here!” He called over his shoulder. I had the courage to look up when I saw a beautiful woman who was levitating by the boy. “What is it Arthur?” She asked. I assumed she was Merlin, so I begged quietly to her, “Please help me. Father will beat me if I go back with him...” Merlin looked at me sincerely. “I’ll help.” She whispered back. “Mr!” Father looked up at her. “Heeelllooooo... Ms! Maaaaaaaaaaaay I take my lovely daughter baack?” “You may not.” Merlin replied. Father gasped. “Why not? She’s my daughter.” Father glared at Merlin. “Because I’ll be taking her.” Merlin said, and with a snap of her fingers, Father disappeared and we were in a different place.

“Where...” I started. My legs gave away, and I fell on the cold floor. “Are you ok?” The boy asked, whom I also assumed was Arthur. “I...” I started, before I felt warm droplets on my cheeks. “Oh..” I touched my tears. “Am I free?” I asked. “Please don’t hit me!” The boy waved his arms furiously. “You’re ok! We won’t hurt you!” “Yes.” Merlin nodded. “What’s your name?” She asked me. “...” “Well, I am Merlin.” She introduced. “This...” She pointed at the boy. “...is Arthur, the future king of Camelot.” I bowed immediately. “S-so you’re the prince? I’m so sorry, you shouldn’t have saved me!” “No! If I hadn’t, you would have died!” Arthur said. He sat down by me and patted my back. I flinched at his touch. “Ah! S-sorry...” I apologized. “What happened, dear?” Merlin asked, and she sat down beside me as well. “Father and Mother... they started hitting me a few years ago when I was 3... all because I didn’t get them more alcohol...” I started. I pointed to my long scar on my arm. “This one, on my arm, Mother was going to hit me on the head with a broken bottle of wine, but I was able to block it with my arm. That was last year.” I explained. “That’s... horrible. What’s your name?” Arthur said. “...Name?” I asked him. I thought for a second. “Well... Mother and Father always calls me ‘Sin’....” I said. “Sin.” Merlin repeated. “Your name shouldn’t be Sin!” Arthur denied, shaking his head furiously. “You..” Merlin said to me. “Are perfect.” “Huh?” I asked. “Your sin is that you were given horrible parents. You should be my student.” Merlin floated up above me and looked at me. I looked at Arthur. He nodded. “O-ok!” I nodded. “But first, your name is Sin.” Merlin told me. “Merlin! That’s a horrible name!” “Sin is her name because of the sin of her parents. She should be proud, no?” They looked at me sitting on the floor. “H-huh?” I asked, confused. “Come! We must give you a bath and touch you up.” Merlin said, and Arthur pulled me up to my feet. “Follow me!” Arthur grinned at me. I blushed, and nodded at him. “Okay!”

𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 𝟕𝟔𝟑