Hurts Me More Than You: Clay’s Story

“Dad said that children in the old testament got stoned to death for rebelliousness, so it was a good thing I didn’t live back then.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Seven

“I am really scared. I hear Mom tell John to go get some wood and make a pile in the backyard garden. After a few minutes Mom yells for us all to go outside in the backyard. Mom and Dad say that they are going to burn some of our things. Dad has started a bonfire and we have to sit there.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Six

“I try for her because she looks so weak. I cry inside for her. I can’t let her see me cry because I need to be strong for her. I try to make her feel better. I tell her that we are princesses in disguise and that mom is the evil person that we will be able to punish later when our father comes to save us.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Five

“I see Mom standing over me with the belt in her hand. I see anger, hate and rage in her eyes. In a quick glance around the room, I see John standing in his underwear in the corner sending seething glances at Mom. Abby is curled up on the floor sobbing.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Four

“Mom seems like she is having fun as she goes through the house ransacking every room in it. She says that we have fifteen minutes to each get our assigned rooms spotless. She says that our character is more important than our school work and that if we never get any school work done that is fine with her.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Three

“There is a lady that goes to our church that does not live very far away. I know I can make it there by morning time. This is the third time I have tried to run away and Dad always caught me before I got off our road. Now I have made it farther then ever and I’m not going back.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part Two

“Mom says that she is in a war against us and that God is on her side in that war. She says that she will not lose the war and we will be judged by God for not obeying her. She says that she will keep fighting till she dies, we die, or we are finally broken of our will.”

Home Is Where The Hurt Is: Mary’s Story, Part One

The following series is an original non-fiction story that spans 33 pages of single-spaced sentences. It will be divided into approximately 10 parts. The story begins during the author’s early childhood and goes up to the present. Please see trigger warnings.