• She sat in the ice water, waiting for Adrianna to unlock the door so she could get out. Oh if only she could get out of this water, but the room was only big enough for this tub and nothing else. This was Adrianna's form of punishment. Form of fun.
    "Adiella," she would say, "do you know what time it is?" with a wicked grin on her face and oh, did Adiella know what was coming.
    "Bathtime." she would wearily force herself to say, already taking off her clothes so she could slip her warm body into the ice water, chilling her very soul.
    "Do not take of your clothes in here, filthy child. He is always watching." Adiella never knew who "he" was but she was pretty sure he was her stepfather, the man who forced Adrianna to abuse Adiella. They had been a happy family before him. Before he... did what he did. Bruises and cuts run all along Adiella's tiny body. Adiella is only seven. Her head is naked, long shorn of it's brunette locks. "He" abused Adrianna to. He made her like she is. They were at a picnic one day, and he beat her. Both of them. He said if Adrianna didn't remember that he was boss and she didn't do what he said he'd kill her. Especially if she left him. Especially if she asked for help. He was a sick man, he was. Adiella has a scar running down her left cheek from a day she was especially mad. She told a girl why she had a bruise on her face and boy was he mad after that. Now she took baths every morning and beatings every night. But Adiella prayed. All the time. In the morning she would say, "Dear Jesus, our father in heaven." and every night, "Thank you for my life, amen." Her spirit so strong, her body so weak. Adiella now dies, in peace once more. She enters upon the pearly gate, her eyes wide and happy, her body clear of impurities her mind free of the chains that once binded her.
    "Hello, little one." a comforting voice says, "You will be happy here. Forever."
    "Thank you." Adiella says, and runs through the gates towards her happiness. Forever and ever.