Page 5 of His Hell Girl

"I hope after this you'll learn." She awaits for my answer, and I can only give her what she wants.

"I won't speak against my sisters again," I whisper.

"What's that?" she asks me to clarify, and I do. My tears are already dried as I give her the words she so wants.

"Good," she gloats, "now to make sure you will remember this," she raises an eyebrow at me, "you'll spend the night here."

She doesn't wait for me to reply as she leaves the room, the sound of the door locking, letting me know there's no way out.

I crawl on my knees until I reach the soap, my face scrunching in disgust, the taste still on my tongue.

But I'd learned something in my years in Sacre Coeur. Wounds fester and they get infected. And the burned cross on my chest won't be any different. I'm not even sure if soap will help, but it cleans hands, right? It should sanitize wounds too.

I wrap my fingers around it and lowering my uniform, I bring it to my wound, slowly rubbing it on it.

"Ahhhhh," my voice comes out in painful spurts, the sensation searing through me and bringing me closer to my pain threshold. But I bear through it, knowing that if this gets infected no one will help me.

I grit my teeth and hold my tears in as I wash what I can of the wound.

By the time I'm done, I'm sapped of all my strength and I collapse onto the floor.

It's dark… so dark and cold.

My teeth clattering, I turn to my side, wrapping my hands around my knees and folding my body to conserve heat.

2

SISI

AGE TWELVE

"Don't worry about me, Lina." I smile at her, leaving the clean clothes on the bed. "Take your time. I know it's hard for you right now."

"Sisi…" She shakes her head, and I can see the disappointment on her face. I don't have it in me to upset her even more, so I just pat her hand lightly. "Please don't worry about me. I have my friends, remember?" I continue to smile, even though the lie burns on my lips.

She slowly nods, traces of uncertainty still on her features.

"I'm sorry," she mouths, right before I leave the room.

I don't think I can sit there any longer, knowing that I could burst into tears at any moment. Lina's been my saving grace in this godforsaken place, but evenshedoesn't know the extent of what happens when I leave our room. And Idon'twant her to know.

I'd been lucky enough that Lina had beseeched Mother Superior to let us room together. But raising a baby has not been easy for her, no matter how much she tries denying it.

Claudia had been a welcome addition to our small unit, but it had also meant that Lina's attention had become focused entirely on her little girl. In a way, it's easier for me to avoid thequestions in her eyes when she sees the bruises on my arms and knees, or the scars that have permanently marred my skin.

And besides, I'd developed an affection for the little girl too, and I'd never try to take away her mother's love.

Regardless of how desperate I might be for it.

Especially now that Claudia's been ill for a few days. I've tried to make myself scarce and give Lina some space. Even though it breaks my heart that I'm alone again onthisday.

Heading to the back of the church, I go to the one place I know I won't be disturbed—the old cemetery.

It's a small area enclosed by an old, crusty fence. There are a few mausoleums that house some of the more eminent figures of Sacre Coeur, although to my knowledge, no one has been buried in this cemetery in a long time.

I head to the white marble mausoleum far in the back. Using a few pieces of wire, I open the door and sneak inside.

Last year, I'd found this place by chance. Cressida and her acolytes had been chasing me around the convent, and I'd thought that maybe they wouldn't dare step inside the cemetery.

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