Abrel 11th, 2014
“We’ll do right by this one Veera; I’ll find a job and end the drinking for good.” Said a bumbling idiot of a man.
“Paul, I’ve heard it one too many times, you said the same thing before, and then what happened hmm? That’s right, we had Dion taken away by child protective services; we just cannot go on like this anymore.” Said Veera, standing in front of an orange painted door. The words “R’s room” written in black could be seen on it.
“Rhua is three now, and she sees us fighting daily.” Screaming at Paul, continued her fight by saying: “Don’t forget, she finally saw you hit me for the first time last week as well, If she was going to school the teachers would have had a field day with us, you useless bloody eejit.” Veera shouted.
Behind the closed door, A young Rhua sits there. Her hair filthy, her clothes dirtier. She hasn’t bathed in as long a time as her clothes have been in the washing machine. How can they wash her when the choices are eat or be clean. Silently she sits there, knowing nothing of the world, for she has never been to school. Her words are a jumble when she talks, it's easier to stay quiet. But she understands. Internally, she is screaming for someone to save her.
“It’s the drink, you know it’s not me, I’d never do that to ya willingly Veera, nor to her in there.” Paul tried to be charming, stroking Veera’s face but she cowered at the touch. And drove her to hit it away swiftly. “Her name is Rhua, eejit, and don’t you DARE touch me…go on, get down there to bed, I’m done with this evening, you’ve ruined another one.” Paul grunted and walked off from her words, slowly walking down the stairs like a scorned child acting out.
Veera stood there. Fighting back tears holding her hand against the door. I’m trying so hard Rhua, this is not the life I dreamed for you Babygirl~ she thought, wiping away what managed to escape her eyes. And headed to her bedroom. She’s on her knees praying for something to change but the change will it ever come? Can it ever come?
Paul sat there on the sofa, swaying from the alcohol still coursing through his system, watching the tv but not paying it much thought. All that was on his mind was the thought of another beer or two. Self-absorbed and not giving a damn about the life choices he’s making for everyone around him. His dad treated him like trash, so it’s only natural he maintain his family the same way, right?
Mai 5th 2016
“I can’t believe that treacherous, good for nothing would just ditch me like this… if I ever see that damn mother of yours again, god help me I’ll beat her as painful as I can!” Paul shouted and threw a bottle at Rhua who barely managed to make it out of the way. She didn’t know how to feel afterwards, but she knew, to react to the incoming danger. Staring at her supposed protector. No words filled her mind, she doesn’t know anything but emptiness here.
“Hey now darling, come on now, you got me. Veera was a mess of a woman, she never really believed in you, not like I do, we have something special you and me… isn’t that right sweet…pea” Rhua stared at Paul's secret lover Harriet, who was eagerly awaiting a response from her, giving her daggers in her eyes the longer it went on.
“Y-y-yesh” said Rhua struggling to get her words out. Paul in a world of his own didn’t notice but probably wouldn’t have cared. Hearing someone he’s barely known a month, speak to his daughter in such a way meant nothing his world.
“Did you know that the government is giving parents money for every child you have now darling…” Harriet smirked at the prospect, of what the future may hold knowing how easy she’s managed to manipulate Paul.
“Oh, is that so smiling, how much is it?” he asked her. “$500 a month, for each kid and even better, they double it, if your unable to have any more.” Harriet said. Regardless of what entails for herself, she’s making money out of this situation regardless.
Rhua walked outside, trying to find something to stop her boredom for a brief time. A new neighbour had moved in recently, she spotted him with his mom occasionally. Today was her lucky day when he appeared on the fence to talk to her.
“Hey there!” He said waving his hand frantically and excited. Rhua waved back but, she didn’t really understand what the point of waving was this was. It’s the first time she’s ever interacted with someone outside of the house besides the mail man.
“I’m Shroli, what’s your name?” he said cracking a smile “Oh! And that one there is Biggy, they look after me all the time, when mom is at work, say hi Biggy!” said Shroli barely hanging on to the fence banging it with his foot as he cling for dear life.
“Shroli come on! I don’t want mom telling me off because you hurt yourself AGAIN!” Biggy said, annoyed at the dumb little brother causing them a headache.
“H-h-hi Biggy, am Rhua.” She said struggling to speak.
“You can call me Fili, don’t listen to him, total idiot that one.” said Fili Causing Rhua to laugh.
“I’m five, how old you?” she said to Fili.
“I’m eleven, this one is four, that’s four years of being a pain in my butt, our big bro is sixteen, he’s with our dad loading the other van at our old house."
Rhua began to feel a little different than she normally does. A feeling that felt nice, and kind, welcoming.
“let’s play sometime Rhua.” Said Fili to her new neighbour.
Julis 20th 2024
Rhua was finally given a chance to go to school, after reports against her parents were made. Paul had convinced the Syldal family next door, that Rhua couldn’t attend school for anxiety reasons. But a brave eighteen-year-old Fili, testified in court, that Rhua was a prisoner, a meal ticket. For her parents, it was easier to avoid being responsible adults and simply having more kids to abuse the systems in place meant to help those in need. Her abusers lost their social welfare aid and somehow, any jail time. How lucky for them.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
They were truly despicable people, there was never any other children though. They lied continuously, borrowing babies from other families. Masquerading in the form of help, to lighten the strain of the hard-working parents they ‘befriended’ whilst in secret, they were attending government registrations and passing their kids off as their own, under the guise they were born at home, and they prefer to live an old-fashioned lifestyle away from society.
Rhua had to attend special classes. She had missed so much school growing up. Initially, she loved loved learning. To read, write and speak properly. The trauma of her past was finally catching up to her, however. The drama so frequently seen at high schools, swept her up in a swift motion and the beatings her abuser parents gave her as a kid, began to manifest itself physically against others. Emotional target practice you could say.
Fili had left for university, and Shroli was still a year away from joining high school. Her sense of familiarity was disappearing around her as quick as her rationale.
Septem 25th 2026
Rhua made it through her first years with anger in her heart and lashing out for release. She just wanted her mum back. Veera was gone, forever sadly. Something Rhua found out the hard way. Her adoptive family - Fili and Shroli’s parents: The Syldal’s, had managed to track down, through an investigator how she disappeared for good. A plot manufactured by Harriet’s secret lover, a con artist known as Calid. Letters documenting every step her and Paul had taken, and correspondence between her and Calid had guided her actions. He told Harriet to kidnap Veera with Paul and block any way for her to escape.
“Break the damn door lock and tie the bitch up, then let the car roll into a countryside lake.” Was written on the letter describing how best to take her out of the picture.
The cover story of her mother simply running away, repeated to her so often as a child, could finally begin to be rid from her mind. And the truth revealed. The evidence was almost not enough. The investigator took advantage of knowing somebody within the industry that owed him a favour.
“Check for something against Rhua’s name, Jima, there’s got to be a hit.” The investigator asked the agent. Finally, an insurance payout was found connecting to Rhua. Her parents or guardians could claim a significant payout the day she turns sixteen. All three, received life in prison without parole. Justice for Veera at last.
Could Rhua feel the things that others do? The more normal things one can experience at high school, such as: exams, socialising, sports, and relationships. It was still new to her. Having had intensive summer classes each year to bring her up to speed. She began assimilating better than ever as student.
As a person she was not though. Knowing what happened to her mother, she abandoned her father’s name. In favour of her mother’s: Seisyll. But a change of identity, can’t break the emptiness and failures of an upbringing. Her heart locked away, from feelings of love and warmth. Admirers repeatedly threw themselves at Rhua, she always turned them down. Isolation didn’t stop the advances, seeming to fuel the more desperate individuals when she was able to return to school during her better mental states.
More seemed to think they had a chance, even when false rumours were spread that Rhua Seisyll was game for anything. Dozens and dozens have tried, so why push a false narrative when it’s clear the victim isn’t like she is at all?
Janura 4th 2034
School has long since passed. And now at the ripe age of twenty-three. Rhua realised her limits when she began to think about university five years prior. I can still make something of myself without academia she thought, when tutors and teachers would attempt to push her year group towards pursuing degrees. As time had gone on, the more she tried to let her guard down, the more she felt like things could keep improving if she went this route. More than anything, she realised she was quite good at making and presenting things, especially in front of others.
She dabbled in various menial jobs still staying at home and saving, in case of a big break finally being made available to her. It was during this time that she felt like maybe, just this once, she would test the waters. Fili had moved back to the town and had started a job at the Terran Peoples Logistical Company. On one or two occasions, she had managed to catch eyes with a worker. She asked Fili to pass on her number to the guy and it wasn’t long before she had a response.
“Hey Rhua, it’s Miller. Fili gave me your number.” The words popped up on the screen of her phone. Rhua wasn’t particularly bothered at first, until she tried thinking of something to say. Causing her to fluster. She called Fili to ask how to respond and Fili helped her as they spoke on a call.
“How do I type a smiley face Fili? Oh, like this ok.”
“Hey Miller, want to grab a coffee with me sometime, Saturday at eleven-am maybe?”
“Sure, Café Schmucks downtown does good coffee, see you there.”
Februas 19th 2039
“How are you feeling sis?” Fili asked Rhua. Rhua was cold, and vacant in her face.
“I just can’t believe he’s gone…” the silence was uncomfortable for both, but Fili persisted.
“Nobody could have predicted that would happen Ru, but he did the right thing.” She continued talking. “The kids were going to die, and nobody else had the guts to jump in the rubble, he died a damn hero sis.” Fili said to try to make her hear that it wasn’t all for nothing.
Rhua lased out verbally “I’M STILL HERE, BUT HE IS NOT.” she shouted. The tears were heavy, her heart hollow once more. “What am I meant to do now Fili…I was finally happy; Miller opened my mind and my life to so much.”
“You need to get your head stuck into something, go play one of those online games when I leave… it’ll keep your mind distracted. Fili said as she hugged Rhua heading for the door.
“It’s not something you should think about straight away, but I know you’ve been waiting for a big break. Word on the street is Gill is retiring, and her spot at the marketing department at TPP is going to open. I’ll put your name forward for it, she’s still there until the end of the month, I know her boss, I’ll put in a good word for you."
Marse 1st 2039
“Hey there new face! What’s your name?” came the happy words from a taller than her, dark-haired smiler holding his hand out, offering a sandwich and a Fizzay Jay Loichee crème. Is this guy a teenager mentally thought Rhua.
“It’s Rhua, Rhua Seisyll.” The guy didn’t budge an inch still stood there smiling.
He placed the goods in front of her “Welcome to TPP, I’m Wardi Ilves.” And reached his hand out to shake.
Rhua shook Wardi’s hand, hoping it would get him away from her, but he simply stuck to her like a glue smiling away.
“Wardi, you’re breaking my heart over here, you owed me that Loichee crème.” Came the amateur dramatics of a sloppily dressed blonde haired guy who really didn’t seem like he should be working here.
“Oh Rhua, this is the mailing department manager and my boss.” Said Wardi smiling even more. Rhua reached out her hand and the guy in turn responded
“Ah, the fresh marketing agent, can’t believe you pushed Gill into retirement, so cruel, my heart can’t take it…ZINGERONI.” He shouted and laughed to himself causing Wardi to laugh with him. Ugh he’s one of these types Rhua thought. He reached out to shake her hand after letting her hang for a minute.
“Just goofing around sausage, pleasure to meet you I’m~
