Just as Sarah was about to speak, Leif approached with a serious expression and interrupted her.
"Mom, let me handle this, please."
He took a deep breath, and what he said next was a whisper loaded with frustration.
"Carrie's mother is an Ultra Orthodox in the most extreme sense of the word. For her, women are born with sin. She thinks anything normal, like sex or pregnancy, is a punishment from God, not something natural."
Sorrow filled his eyes. "She's drilled that ridiculous idea into Carrie's head forever. She uses those twisted dogmas as a tool to exert mind control over her."
"Poor Carrie..." he continued, clenching his fists. "She's lived with a guilt that makes no sense, a pain that consumes her inside. And her mother, she doesn't even have a clue what it means to be a supportive figure. She never taught Carrie anything about her own body or what would happen to her growing up."
His tone hardened, full of contained rage. "If Carrie does something her mother doesn't like, she grabs the Bible and hits her mercilessly until she falls. Then she locks her in the prayer closet, a room full of terrifying statues, and says it's so she can 'reflect on her sins'."
He paused for a moment, absorbing the brutality of what he had just described. "And it's not just for something serious. If Carrie tries to show a little self-will, if she minimally expresses her opinion, her mother, Margaret, throws her back into that solitary confinement hell as punishment."
As he spoke, Carrie's breathing quickened. The pain and terror accumulated in her eyes, overwhelming her. Her emotions spun out of control, and the atmosphere in the room turned electric.
BANG
Suddenly, a dry crash. The ceiling lightbulb exploded without warning, scattering glass fragments everywhere.
"Aaaaa!"
Carrie let out a horrified scream. She curled into a ball, shrinking as if the world were crumbling around her.
Sarah was startled by the sudden noise, but reacted instantly, hugging her tightly and cooing softly.
"Shh, it's over. I'm here, my love. Your aunt has you."
"None of this is your fault. You don't need to be afraid," she whispered to her.
But Carrie wouldn't stop trembling. Her eyes were fixed in terror and despair, as if the light's explosion had been yet another echo of the endless nightmare that was her life, not knowing when she might wake up from that torment.
Sarah hugged her more tightly, seeking to dispel the girl's fear with her warmth. The decision was already made: she had to help her escape that hell.
She raised her head and looked at her son, her distress now turned into a firm gaze.
"Leif, Carrie is staying with us tonight," she declared decisively.
"This child has already suffered enough. I won't allow her to return to that house for another minute. First thing tomorrow we'll call the police. Her mother won't keep hurting her with impunity."
...
Night had already fallen completely, covering the house with a silent heaviness.
They settled Carrie into Lillith's room. Everything was new to her, but the atmosphere, unlike her cold and terrifying home, emitted a subtle sense of calm.
Sarah entered the room with slow, quiet steps, carrying a glass of warm water. She approached the bed and set it down carefully on the nightstand.
"..."
Carrie was lying down, her eyes wide open. Traces of the day's fear still remained in her gaze, and she watched Sarah's every movement.
Sarah leaned slightly, giving her a soft smile.
"Get some sleep, honey. Tomorrow everything will be easier."
As she spoke, she reached out and gently stroked her messy hair. After making sure she was comfortable, she turned around and left the room with light steps.
Carrie moved, slowly tucking her head under the blankets. She only left her eyes exposed, which now showed a slight trace of shyness.
Just then, Leif also walked in. Seeing Carrie's withdrawn gesture, he approached the bed.
"Don't worry, don't think about anything," he comforted her softly. "My mom is an excellent lawyer. I promise she's going to help you get out of this."
Carrie simply nodded, "Mmh."
"Tomorrow I'll take care of justifying your absence from school," Leif added, "Stay here and really rest."
Carrie blinked and said softly, "Good night."
Leif smiled back, "Good night."
He turned around, closed the door slowly, and returned to his own room.
...
The next morning, the sunlight streamed through the blinds, announcing the dawn.
Leif got up early, took a quick shower, and had a brief conversation with his mother about the plans for Carrie. Then, he hurried to his bus stop.
When he boarded the old school bus, he immediately felt like he was the center of attention. The gazes of his classmates turned toward him, and the enthusiastic greetings were immediate.
After all, Leif was the undisputed star of the school: impeccable grades, talent in various sports, and a charisma that made him popular with everyone.
He responded to each greeting with a polite smile before sliding into a window seat.
The bus started and began its usual route. The familiar streets rolled by, and the urban landscape passed quickly as the wheels turned.
A little later, the vehicle stopped again.
The door opened and a dark-haired girl boarded: It was Maria. Her face was delicate, with an almost otherworldly beauty. Her deep green eyes evoked a calm lake, and her slender figure radiated a fragility that inspired pity.
However, at that moment, the only thing noticeable about her was shyness. She kept her gaze down and seemed visibly scared by all the passengers.
Her fear immediately became reality.
As she tried to walk cautiously toward the back, a leg was intentionally crossed in the aisle, blocking her path.
Maria stopped, and immediately the terror on her face became more evident than ever. Seeing her reaction, the students on the bus burst into loud, shrill laughter that filled the narrow compartment.
"Mark, take your foot out of there right now."
A cold, sharp, clearly authoritative voice resonated from the window seat.
Mark, the boy who had extended his leg, turned his head. Seeing it was Leif, he felt a sting of humiliation and turned livid with anger.
"What the hell do you care, Good Student? Does how I sit bother you?" he snapped, raising his voice to sound tougher.
The boy sitting next to him, one of his henchmen, laughed scornfully.
"Well, well. Do we have a knight in shining armor here defending Maria? Look, guys!" he said, seeking approval from the group.
The other boys were preparing to join in the mockery, but the laughter abruptly stopped. Their gazes met Leif's, an icy, penetrating look that tolerated no argument.
It was as if their breath had been cut off. Suddenly, they busied themselves looking around uncomfortably, and the tense, hostile atmosphere became unbearable.
In this school, Maria was the easy target, the unofficial "punching bag." She had long been the primary target of harassment.
If anyone thought her beauty would exempt her from being bullied, they were completely wrong.
In such a hostile environment, a girl who wouldn't defend herself and who radiated fragility was, in the eyes of the bullies, perfect prey.
________
Time: If you're craving more (and I know you are!), I have just what you need. On my Patreon, you'll find exclusive chapters. Join our community and be the first to discover what happens next!
👉 [patreon.com/Athome790]
Your support fuels me. Thank you for the support! 💖