74
~Lisa's POV
I slammed the door shut and ran straight to my bed, gasping for air like I had just escaped a fire. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. My hands were shaking, and my throat was tight, like I wanted to scream but couldn't.
I looked up at the mirror. My reflection stared back, but it didn't feel like me. My eyes were wide with fear, my lips trembling. I wanted to cry, to yell, to run. I missed my father so much at that moment. If he was here, none of this would be happening. He would never let anyone treat me this way, despite the fact that I was an outcast and we were poor. I wanted to go home.
Without thinking, I pulled off my dress and looked at my body. There were bruises forming already, red and angry, especially around my arms and sides. I winced as I touched one near my rib. My skin felt sore, like I'd been thrown into a wall. The shame and pain clung to me like mud.
