chapter 1

I woke up to the dark basement, a small light emanated from the outside, before it disappeared.

I searched the floor, hoping their was food, It felt rough and grimy as I felt around through the dark.

I felt something solid and just before eating it, a putrid smell hit my nose. I could feel, I was holding something furry, I didn't know what to make of it, and threw it as far away from me as I could.

I finally found the food that was placed down here, and quickly started eating it, bread and cheese was all I was served.

After I finished eating, I laid against the cold floor with nothing but pants on, I was bare naked, my hair stopped at my back.

I remembered the feeling of the stiff body, and the fur made my body run cold.

"14 years huh?" I muttered as I stared at the dark ceiling.

It was as if I didn't exist at all. Surrounded by nothing but darkness, makes you question your existence.

Even after so many years, I can still picture my mother clearly.

Even in the darkest of places, she shined brighter than any light I ever saw.

I closed my eyes and imagined, imagined when I first met that beautiful bright light, the brightest light I ever saw.

*flashback*

the door opened and a small light penetrated the dark basement.
A warm glow illuminated from the candle, drawing me towards it. I wanted to capture that light.

For the first time I saw a light, a bright light, brighter than anything I had ever seen before. I saw a beautiful woman smiling at me,  She rushed towards me with delight and relief.

I can clearly remember her scent, it was indescribable. I embraced her back, it was so new and felt good to be held.

She held me close to her heart,I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat, as she held on to my small body.

"Who is she?" I wondered. She pushed me away to see if I had any injuries.

As time passed, she started teaching me how to communicate. That's when I learned that bright light was my mother.

*End of Flashback*

"I never imagined that she would just disappear, but then again I am a deaf child, hindering me useless" I mumbled to myself as I turned to my side.

From my matted hair, to my filth  covered body ,it was if I was an neglected pet. I was as skinny as a stick and As pale as a corpse.

"But despite everything, there is a ray of sunlight in my heart; making me  hope, hope that my mother will return for me. I'm well aware that it is a hopeless dream but it keeps me going."

The basement doors opened, revealing a woman and a boy.  They strutted down the stairs and stopped  in front of me.

Each of them grabbed my wrist, and started pulling me, but I couldn't look away from that bright light.

I was pulled up the basement stairs, a part of me was terrified and another part was curious.

"Has my mother finally come for me?" I questioned in my mind as we got to the exit.

I was excited, I couldn't wait to see her. A bright light that invaded my dark world, before anything else.

What I saw took my smile away, a tall man stood in front of me with a disgusted expression.

A woman stood by his side, with a young boy that was taller than me. He stood between my father and the woman.

I couldn't make out what they were saying, but he made gestures I was well aware of.

The man started to sign, he looked at me and waited in anticipation for an answer.

"Do you want to come and live with me? I am your father after all" he asked through sign language.

"Yes" I nodded my head.

"You'll live with me under 1 condition" he signed as he waited for my reply.

"What's the Condition?" I signed.

"There's an arranged marriage that has been set up, you'll be marrying my their daughter" he signed as he explained everything.

I nodded, I didn't want to get married to someone I didn't know, but I agreed nonetheless, I rather marry than live another second in the dark.

He took me to the washroom himself, but he left me in front of the bathroom, and pushed me inside.

"Scrub hard" He signed before walking away.

I walked further in, but everything looked new to me. I had never seen any of these things before and obviously didn’t know how they worked.

"What am I supposed to do?" I wondered as I peeked out the door.