Serpentine Apotheosis

"Jon grew up overseas with the best education. He already started to take over the family business at sixteen. He's tall and handsome, and all the women chasing after him are either from privileged families or celebrities."

Mrs. Perry glanced at the scabs forming on my face, unable to hold back her laughter.

"Even if Miss Sinead offered herself for free, no man would want her."

"That's enough!" yelled my mom suddenly, her voice sharp as she rushed to Mrs. Perry in an attempt to fight back.

Unfortunately, this was the Perry family's turf.

Jonathan immediately called in several bodyguards, who had us pinned to the ground in seconds.

The rough floor scraped against my scales. "Let us go!"

I struggled, then heard a loud slap.

But it didn't land on my face—it landed on my mother's.

"Jonathan Perry! How dare you!" I screamed with my entire being.

The butler, Mr. Hayes, glanced at Jonathan and Mrs. Perry in a panic, but Jonathan acted like he didn't hear a thing.

"Hmph! Who do they think they are, laying a hand on me like this?" Mrs. Perry tidied her messy hair before giving out her orders. "Continue! Hit them! Don't stop until they crawl out of the Perry estate!"

Mr. Hayes gave a greasy little grin at hearing her command. He lifted my mother's chin, raised his hand, and slapped her hard again.

"You animal! Come at me if you've got a problem with us!" my dad roared in anger, pinned by several bodyguards.

Mr. Hayes shot him a look, then slowly stood up. "You? You want it too, huh?"

He rolled up his sleeves and kicked my dad's waist again and again, right where his bandages were. "That'll teach you! Still want to play the hero? Do you think you're tough? I'll show you!"

My dad's hands were pinned down tight.

"Stop it! Please, stop!" I cried.

Through the beating, my dad looked over at me and managed to squeeze out a smile. His lips moved as if to say, "I'm fine".

I caught my breath.

Mrs. Perry seemed to be bored by now; she yawned lazily and left.

Mr. Hayes wiped the sweat from his forehead. As he watched her leave, his wrinkled face twisted into a nastier grin. He stood in front of my mom, lifted his shirt, and started to unzip his pants.

"You… What are you doing?!" Mom's head was pressed down under his shoe, and she was unable to see what he was doing.

"Jonathan Perry! If you don't let us go now, I'll end my life right here! You can forget about reviving your precious Annabelle!" I snarled.

Jonathan, dressed in white and almost out the door, suddenly stopped. He turned slowly, his eyes dark and the emotions inside unknowable. "You… You know?"

I sneered, "Yes. If you let my family go, I'll do everything you want. You won't have to lift a finger. I'll give you what you want myself."

He held the prayer beads in his hand before finally saying, "Fine. Mr. Hayes, let them go. Sinead stays."

Mr. Hayes spat on the ground with a disappointed look and quickly zipped his pants up. He ordered the guards to release my parents.

"Sinead, what are you talking about? What are you going to give him?" My mom held my hand tightly, her voice full of fear.

I looked at her messy hair, her swollen face, and tears on the verge of falling. Her favorite outfit was now covered in footprints and dust. My dad came over with a face full of worry, holding his waist.

"It's okay, Mom, Dad. You go to the hospital first," I said to them.