Chapter 1 Scars Beneath The Smile

It was a warm, golden morning, the kind where the sun's gentle embrace made the world feel alive. Birds sang their morning songs, and the rustling leaves whispered secrets to the wind. Laughter of children playing outside danced through the air, a joyful symphony blending seamlessly with the vibrant pulse of life. Who wouldn't be happy in such beautiful weather.

But inside a grand house, surrounded by lush gardens and the illusion of a perfect family, sat a girl with haunted eyes, curled up in the darkest corner of her room. The golden morning did not reach her here.It was far too late for her to bask in its warmth.

Chi Chi, a girl of barely twelve, sat with her knees drawn to her chest, a book resting on her lap. Her hands shook, and though her head was foggy, she still clung to the illusion of normalcy, of pretending everything was okay.

Her delicate hands, small and frail, trembled as she turned the pages. Scars ran across her arms and legs, hidden beneath her neatly pressed school uniform.

Only the unblemished parts of her skin—the parts the world was allowed to see—remained untouched, as if to preserve the facade of a perfect life.

People say that those who love stories do so to escape reality. For Chi Chi, that couldn't be truer. She adored tales of kind families, warm homes, and unconditional love, yet the irony of it twisted in her chest. After all, doesn't a person crave the very things they are denied the most?

Her quiet world was shattered by the sharp creak of the door opening. A woman, elegant in appearance but wicked in heart, stepped inside. Her eyes, filled with contempt, locked onto the small figure in the corner.

There was a hunger in her eyes, a predatory glint that sent a shiver down Chi Chi's spine.

Her mother had perfected the art of cruelty, her words sharp enough to cut, her actions cold enough to freeze Chi Chi's spirit.

It had been like this for as long as she could remember. No kindness, no love—only the cold expectation of perfection.

But Chi Chi had learned how to survive. How to act like the model student, the perfect daughter, the obedient child.

The alternative was worse.

"Oh, my dear Chi Chi," she cooed, her voice dripping with venom.

Chi Chi didn't look up. She knew better than to meet the gaze of the serpent that had slithered into her sanctuary.

A cruel smirk twisted the woman's lips as she strode forward and grabbed the girl by her hair, yanking her forward. Chi Chi bit her lip, beads of moisture forming in her eyes, but she fought desperately against the urge to cry out. She wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

"Always so quiet, aren't you?" the woman sneered. "So obedient. That's why you lasted this long."

She shoved a spoonful of food into Chi Chi's mouth, forcing her to swallow. The taste was bitter, metallic. It was familiar. However it instantly caused fear to grip her chest.

She knew.

It wasn’t just her mother’s cruelty that tormented Chi Chi. It was something much darker. Something insidious.

The poison.

At first, it had been so subtle. A little dizziness here, a headache there. She chalked it up to stress, to her mother's endless demands.

But as the months wore on, it worsened. The sickness settled deep inside her, spreading through her veins like ice.

Each day, she felt weaker, the hunger in her stomach gnawing at her, but worse than that was the blood—the blood she threw up in the bathroom every day.

It had started as a trickle, then became a constant, her throat burning as the blood rose with every cough, every heave.

It was as though her body was betraying her, withering from the inside out.

Chi Chi struggled, trying to spit it out, but a harsh slap sent her crashing to the ground, the sharp sting on her face mingling with the hollowness in her chest. Tears blurred her vision as laughter echoed above her like a dark, haunting melody.

"Oh, don't worry," the woman chuckled. "It's the last one. By the end of the week, you'll be gone. And the best part? No doctor will ever be able to detect it."

Terror froze her limbs. a cold, creeping dread filling the hollow spaces of her heart. She stared up at the woman who had given birth to her, the one who was supposed to be a protector, a source of love.

Instead, she was looking at Chi Chi like she was a dirty stain that needed to be cleansed, a pest that needed to be exterminated.

The woman crouched low, brushing her fingers against Chi Chi’s cheek in a grotesque imitation of affection. “So please, my dear daughter, do me a favor and just die, alright?”

With that, she stood up and left, humming a tune as if she hadn’t just obliterated what remained of Chi Chi’s spirit.

Chi Chi sat there, staring blankly at the floor, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could feel the poison coursing through her veins, its presence like a ghostly whisper in the back of her mind.

She was going to die.

A child's life was supposed to be filled with love, warmth, and dreams of the future. But hers had always been filled with suffering. And now, it was coming to an end.

But... did she want to die?

As minutes bled into agonizing eternity, a spark ignited within her. Slowly, Chi Chi clenched her fists, her trembling body stiffening with a burgeoning resolve.

No.

If she was going to die, then she would not go quietly. If she was going down, she would take them all with her.

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Chi Chi arrived at school with a smile so bright it could rival the sun, masking the storm that continued to rage inside her. She walked through the hallways, greeting her classmates with warmth, their voices wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. They called her their 'little angel,' drawn to her kindness and her unwavering willingness to help.

Her classroom was her safe haven, a place where she could breathe, if only for a while. Nestled within the colorful walls, amidst the chatter of her classmates and the comforting presence of Mrs. Johnson, she could pretend to be just another normal girl. But today, even that solace felt like a fleeting dream.

The moment Mrs. Johnson entered the room, Chi Chi's heart pounded like a war drum. Her fingers dug into the fabric of her skirt, the fabric suddenly constricting, mirroring the knot of anxiety in her stomach. Doubt crept into her mind, wrapping its cold fingers around her resolve. What if Mrs. Johnson didn’t believe her? What if no one did?

No. She had to try. She had to break free from the chains that bound her in silence.

The bell rang, signalling the start of break.

It wasn’t until break time that day that Chi Chi began feeling the effect. Her stomach churned, the familiar nausea rising up her throat.
She made her way to the bathroom, hoping to make it in time, but it was too late. She stumbled into the nearest stall, her body heaving violently as the blood came up.

Each time, it felt like a little more of her was dying.

She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her uniform, taking deep, shaky breaths, trying to steady herself. Her legs felt weak beneath her, and she could hear the world outside—the distant chatter of her classmates, their carefree laughter.

With great effort, she stood up, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her. She walked slowly to Mrs. Johnson’s office, her feet dragging like lead. Mrs. Johnson, the kind-hearted teacher who always took the time to listen, always seemed to notice the small things that others overlooked.

As her classmates gathered around her, offering food and chatting happily, Chi Chi smiled and declined, slipping away unnoticed.

She stood outside the teacher's room, her heartbeat echoing in her ears like a war drum, a reminder of the urgency of her situation. Her hand trembled as she raised it to knock, a mix of hope and fear flooding her veins.

A moment of silence hung heavy in the air. “Come in,” a voice finally called.

Taking a deep breath, Chi Chi pushed the door open, her heart pounding like a trapped bird in her chest. Mrs. Johnson sat at her desk, the kind smile on her face transforming the room into a beacon of safety.

Chi Chi stood frozen, lips pressed into a thin line, each word tangled up in a web of fear and shame. How could she possibly explain the horrors that haunted her? How could she voice the profound pain she had buried for so long?

She had never asked for help before—had never allowed herself to be vulnerable—but she couldn’t keep pretending anymore.

Then, her vision blurred, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. And with that, the dam broke.

"Please save me."

Mrs. Johnson’s smile vanished, alarm flickering in her eyes as she stood up, her tone suddenly urgent but still gentle. “Chi Chi, what’s wrong?”

The floodgates opened, and tears streamed down Chi Chi's cheeks as she finally, finally spoke the words she had shrouded in silence for far too long. Words of pain, of suffering, of nights spent trembling in fear. She spoke of her mother’s cruelty, of the poison that coursed through her, of the scars that marred her skin like cruel reminders of her existence. With each word, Mrs. Johnson’s expression grew darker, more indignant.

By the time Chi Chi finished, the teacher’s hands were clenched into fists, her entire body radiating with a volatile mixture of anger and sorrow.

Without hesitation, Mrs. Johnson enveloped Chi Chi in a fierce hug. The warmth of her embrace contrasted sharply with the coolness of the classroom, but Chi Chi winced, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. Instantly, Mrs. Johnson pulled back, her eyes scanning Chi Chi’s frail form, the uniform hanging loosely around her emaciated frame.

“Did they hurt you before you came to school?” Mrs. Johnson's voice trembled with concern.

Chi Chi hesitated, her heart aching with the weight of her truth. Then, slowly, she nodded, feeling the flood of emotions threaten to drown her.

Mrs. Johnson cursed under her breath, her expression fueled with righteous anger. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor in a frantic motion. “We’re going to the nurse’s office. Now.”

Gripping Chi Chi's hand tightly, she led her out of the room. Students stopped and stared as their beloved 'little angel' was led down the hall by a teacher with an enraged expression. Whispers followed them, worry evident in every gaze.

I
In the nurse’s office, Mrs. Johnson knelt in front of Chi Chi, her voice softening to a tender whisper. “Sweetheart, I need to see your injuries so we can treat them. Can you show me?”

Chi Chi hesitated, fear clawing at her throat. But then, slowly, she unbuttoned her jacket, revealing the scars etched into her skin, the raw evidence of her silent suffering.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Scars. Faded, fresh, and overlapping—a chilling narrative replayed across her arms like dark ink on a fragile page.

Each one told a story, every mark a testament to the hell she had endured.

Mrs. Johnson pressed a trembling hand over her mouth, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

The hurt she saw was not just a cry for help; it was a heart-wrenching revelation of a child who had faced unspeakable darkness and still managed to wear a smile.

But now this child could be saved

However, that was only what she thought.

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Hiiii, Dear readers

Please don't hate me as this is my first time writing and the chapter is a bit short. If you could, do give me some pointers on how to improve it.

Anyhow, hope you like this story and are excited for our little Chi Chi's journey

The updates might be a bit slow as i am a student and quite young if i do say so myself

Lots of Love and be sure to hate the mother