Built for Sin

6 | Touching Her

I looked just as pathetic as I felt.

The mean scar that I hated so much went straight through my eyebrow, allowing my pain to be put on display for everyone to see. I wish it was cute, it just makes me look scary.

When I bravely brought my gaze down to my body, I painfully blinked at the sight of the scars that I always try to avoid.

There's no avoiding them, i've learned that by now.

When my eyes fixated on a tight and bumpy scar that dragged from my belly button all the way to the curve of my hip, a memory played in my head.

"Catalina!"

My body stilled, the feeling of fear coursing through me like pins and needles.

"You came downstairs when we had guests! What did I tell you?"

I bent my head down, protecting myself with the shield my thick, dark hair provided. "I'm- i'm... i'm not..." My words weren't coming out, tears immediately piercing my eyes when I knew what was coming next.

"Stuttering bitch, can't even speak." Uncle Finn struck me across the face, delivering a burning slap.

No sounds came out of me as I allowed him to drag me all the way to the kitchen.

I couldn't say anything, I didn't even know how to talk.

He pulled a knife out of the drawer and held it to the flame on the stove, causing my eyes to bulge out of their sockets.

"Please, I don't- don't want t-to be here any- anymore," I sobbed. I want to leave, I want to be with mama and my brother. It hurts and it's all my fault.

Aggressively, uncle Finn lifted my shirt up and dragged the hot edge of the knife across my stomach.

Afraid of living the same moment again, I shook my head and took a deep breath, reminding myself that I wasn't with him anymore.

It was just discipline. I'm okay.

After I went over my entire body with lotion, I began to dress myself. I decided to wear the green crewneck that Lorenzo wouldn't stop staring at and a pair of white cashmere shorts. Even though the crewneck isn't mine, I doubt i'll ever be giving it back; it's too comfortable.

"You're okay," I spoke to the reflection in the mirror, "You always are."

When I stepped outside of my room, I smiled at the sight of Jino standing beside a painting in front of my room, his figure statue like.

Jino was the guard that always stayed here. He declined my offer to be friends but I think he's warming up to me. He's bigger than anyone i've ever met and has the coolest eyebrow piercing ever. All his tattoos were red and they contrasted nicely against his dark, mocha toned skin. I want a tattoo.

"Morning Jino."

"Catalina," he greeted monotonously.

"How'd you sleep?"

"I don't sleep."

I awkwardly smiled, rocking on the balls of my sock clad feet. "Right... That's not so healthy, y'know? If you want, I can take over your shift and you can get some sleep in." I'd be a killer guard. I could bust a few of my old moves, ones I used back in my crime fighting days.

He looked at me as if I was a complete joke. "Leave me. I won't repeat myself."

"You're the one posted in front of my room, idiot," I scoffed.