**Light in the Darkness**
**Chapter 1: The Break**
“Get out, you ungrateful girl!” her mother shouted, shoving Emily towards the door. She stumbled, barely catching herself, as her mother glared with a hatred that cut deeper than any words. “Dont come back! I never want to see you again!” With that slam, Emily stood frozen on the threshold, her heart shattered.
“Mum, please, I swearit wasnt me he” she tried to explain, but no one was listening.
Her stepfather, drunk and vile, had tried to force himself on her. When Emily told her mother, the woman refused to believe her. To her, Emily was just stirring trouble, ruining her new marriage. So she threw her out without another thought.
**Chapter 2: Wandering the Streets**
Alone, Emily wandered the cobbled lanes of the small mining town, begging for scraps. The cold air bit her skin, hunger gnawing at her strength. Men eyed her with looks that made her feel filthy, especially the drunk onesshe knew they were the worst.
Hours dragged, hunger turning unbearable. She felt invisible, forgotten. As Bonfire Night neared, she thought of her father. She remembered how their home would fill with marigolds and candles when he was alive. This year, she knew her mother wouldnt bother.
**Chapter 3: The Memorial**
With the little shed grabbed when thrown outincluding a photo of her fathershe made her own memorial. Wildflowers shed picked by the roadside, stale bread, and bruised apples became her offering, tucked under an old oak. Kneeling before the photo, she wept.
“Dad, if you love me, come for me take me with you,” she whispered. The wind rustled her hair, soft as a ghostly touch. Exhausted, she fell asleep beside the makeshift shrine.
**Chapter 4: The Revelation**
At dawn, she woke. Hunger hadnt left, so she ate what remained of the offeringtasteless but needed. As she wandered, her mother suddenly appeared, running, crying. Before Emily could react, she was pulled into a crushing embrace.
“Forgive me, love, please,” her mother sobbed. “I didnt believe you but last night, I saw.”
Emily stiffened, wary.
“I left him drinking, as usual then I heard screams. He wasfloating, slamming against the walls like a ragdoll! He screamed, I confess! I wanted Emily! Thenhe dropped. Dead.” Her mother trembled. “A voice not of this world said, Leave this house. Find your daughter, or next year, I drag you to hell.”
A chill ran through Emily, but seeing her mother broken, her anger faded. They clung to each other. Shed forgive her. Theyd start anew.
**Chapter 5: Homecoming**
Before stepping inside, Emily glanced at the grey sky, a tear rolling down.
“Thank you, Dad,” she murmured.
The house felt heavy, the stepfathers shadow lingering. Emily shivered but pushed it aside. Her mother swore hed never return.
“Ill deal with him,” her mother said firmly.
Emily nodded, though fear prickled. Her mother had been weak beforebut now, she sounded sure.
**Chapter 6: The Confrontation**
That night, her mother faced him. Emily watched, heart pounding. Though she couldnt hear everything, the rage in her mothers voice was clear.
“Touch my girl again, and Ill call the police!”
Relief and worry warred in Emily. Would it be enough?
Her mother returned, shaken but resolved. “Hes gone, Emily. For good.”
**Chapter 7: Healing Together**
Days passed. The wound remained, but they rebuilt. They prepared a Bonfire Night memorial together, filling it with flowers and memories.
Emily realized love still lingered. Her mother had failed herbut fought for her, too.
“Well do this together,” her mother said, arranging marigolds. “So your dads always with us.”
Emily smiled. For the first time in ages, hope flickered.
**Chapter 8: New Traditions**
Bonfire Night arrived, the town alive with light. Emily and her mother joined in, sharing stories of her father, weaving laughter with tears.
Emily felt stronger. Her father would always guide them.
**Chapter 9: A Brighter Future**
Time passed. Emily enrolled in school, determined to finish. Her mother, still battling her demons, stood by her.
They learned to trust. Laughter returned to the house.
**Chapter 10: A New Beginning**
A year later, Emily gazed at their memorial. Marigolds glowed in the sun, peace wrapping around her.
“Thank you, Dad,” she whispered.
Her mother hugged her. “Well always be strong together.”
Emily smiled. Shed found her place. Life had been cruelbut shed learned to rise.
And so, heart full, she faced the futureready for whatever came.
