My eyes snap open, my mouth gasping for air as if I was drowning in my sleep. I don’t even notice how my torso flings forward, forcing me to sit up. My soft, light pink sheets fall to my lap with a soft thud. I take a moment to catch my breath and stare out my small, dusty windows, needing to calm my racing heart. The soft and warm glow of the morning sun was able to ground me. I took a deep breath and let it out. Phew! It was just a silly nightmare!

I let out a sigh of relief, glad it was a dream. I smile, swinging my legs to the side of my bed. Time to start my day! Just as I was about to set my foot down on the hardwood floor, I tense. A realization.

I can’t. No, no no no no. It could see me. He could see me. Under the bed. He’ll stare at me. He’ll be so angry.

I immediately pick my legs up, pulling them to my chest; my pale arms wrapped around them tightly. I wince at a sudden pain over my body — caused by one of the many bruises scattered across my skin.

He always worried about the scars becoming too visible on me. The result of his sins.

No, no no no. Get it together, Lacey. Think happy thoughts, okay? Like… Like going to the mall! Yes, the mall! You could go shopping for cute new clothes. Imagine all the new trends and styles! Oh! And you could go get ice cream later! After that, you can take a stroll through the park while listening to music on your MP3 player! Oh! And you could try adopting a pet; you love pets! A cute little kitten would be nice! Cats are so fluffy and cute! Or maybe a dog!

A… dog… My sweet…

How could he take my sweet little angel away..?

No no no no no no! My little angel didn’t mean it! He didn’t mean to bark at you! He was just worried about me! I’m sorry, I—

No, no no. Come on, Lacey. It doesn’t matter. It’s over now, okay? Why don’t you finally get up and eat something? You haven’t eaten in days; you’re too skinny. Are you really that scared? You only had to look as the life faded from the eyes of your only friend. You stood there and watched him scream in agony while the flesh melted from his bones. He squealed like a pig. The same pig who laughed when you asked what he did to your sweet little angel.

You remember staring at your mangled, thin, and pale face in the bathroom mirror when it was all over. You stared into your own numb eyes, not even needing to look down at your burned and bruised body because you were so used to it.

“I’m Lacey,” you said. Like a reassurance. A reassurance that no matter how many times that beautiful flower was torn, beaten, starved, and taken advantage of, it was still you. It was still me. I’m Lacey. I’m Lacey, I’m Lacey, I’m Lacey.