Editor's note: this story contains scenes of non-consensual or reluctant sex.
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I was twelve when I ran away from home. My mother passed away giving birth to me and my older brothers and father seemed to blame me. My house was one of corporal punishment when things didn't get done. The older siblings and grown-ups were responsible for handling it. Another thing that wasn't tolerated was tattling. This meant that the older brothers abused their duties of meting out punishments. I think they got off on it, and I could never tell my father or my grandmother about it for fear I would get worse for saying something. I suspect my grandmother knew about the abuse and she always seemed to lift my spirits and comfort me. My grandmother and I were close. I think it bothered my brothers.
When I turned twelve, I had had enough of the abuse. I was partially confused that my body was reacting to the near daily beltings and I was afraid of it. I decided it was time to leave. Little did I know that my grandmother was wise to this and knew it was best for me as well. She is a powerful person in the community and went to work ensuring that I was safe and getting what I needed both in education as well as being looked after.
When I was 15, I got word that my father had passed. He was a cold man and I believe he felt that it was my fault that his wife died giving birth to me. I was not sad when I received the news and did not return home. I thought of my grandmother often, but I didn't dare go home as I knew what was waiting for me was not going to be pleasant with my brothers.
Over the years, I worked hard going to school. Given that I was bouncing from home to home, I still managed to get straight A's in my studies. It was almost as if someone was constantly watching over me. Little did I know it was my grandmother in action.
I graduated from high school with honors and received a full scholarship to a prestigious school in our community. I had never heard of this scholarship and didn't remember applying for it. Yet another behind the scenes thing my grandmother orchestrated.
In college, I worked hard and continued to excel in my studies. I learned a lot about myself during this time as well. I learned that I was a lesbian and that it always seemed someone was looking out for me. I had made quite a few friends as I progressed in school.
Finally, the year had come, I graduated with high honors from my school. Part of me was sad as I walked across the stage that I had no family there to be happy for me. I smiled and shook the chancellor's hand and received my degree. I looked out over the sea of faces. I thought I saw a familiar face...my grandmother. I looked again and she was gone. Could it have been?
I thought of her often and missed the many moments that I shared with her. I missed her. The morning after I graduated from college and was getting ready to move out of the dorms that had been paid for me the entire time I was there (also because of grandmother), there was a knock at the door. Little did I know, this knock at the door would change my life forever.
A messenger was standing there at the door. He handed me a note. He had been instructed to stay until I read it and accompany me back to the family home.
I read the note. My grandmother was very sick and was on her death bed. She had asked that I return as she had something very important to talk to me about.
Tears started well up in my eyes as I thought of the years of abuse as well as all of the happy memories I had of the one person that I felt truly loved me. I folded the note and closed the door behind me. Not knowing that would be the last time I would see that dorm room.
I followed the messenger and he drove me to the house. As I exited the car he looked at me with a warm smile of reassurance, as if he knew the path that I was on and little did I know he was in on it. I thanked him and quietly walked into the house and to my grandmother's room. I did not say hi or acknowledge my brothers and they were quiet.
I slipped into my grandmother's bed and lay with her. Her frail body and tired eyes showing that she was very close to death. Her eyes smiled when she saw me. She quietly said that she loved me and she was proud of what I had done with my life. Then she said something that sent a chill down my spine.
"Ellesbeth, sweetie. Please listen, I need to get my dying wish out to you. I know it will be a very tough few days after I pass. It will be tough emotionally and physically." That last sentence gave me pause and I began to worry what she was saying. "Your brothers will not be happy that you are here and they will want to discipline you for leaving as well as not coming back when your father passed. You will need to endure that. I promise you that you will be taken care of and cared for and they will be dealt with. I need you to listen carefully. It is my dying wish that you marry someone that I have made arrangements with. I cannot tell you more, it will come out when it is time. Just know that I love you."
The brothers looked in and saw that I was laying in bed with grandmother. Pete, the younger of the two started fuming. John, the older brother, placed his hand on Pete's shoulder stopping him. "All in due time, Pete. She will get her punishment and much much more, but we need to not upset grandmother."
Pete grinned. He had plans for his darling sister, Belle. Belle is my nickname as no one but grandmother called me Ellesbeth. His pants tented as he grew hard at his thoughts and plans to punish me and use me now that no one would stop him.
The next morning, I awoke and found that grandmother had passed while I slept in her arms. I cried and said my good byes. As I got up, I noticed my brothers standing in the room.
John was the first to speak. "Belle, once we take care of dear old grandmother, we will deal with you and your punishment." He grabbed my wrist and I cried out as he pulled me to my old room and closed and locked the door. I was trapped. I started to cry and kick the door.
A couple of hours passed as the coroner arrived and removed my grandmother's body. Another hour passed as I sat on my old bed wondering what was going to happen. Suddenly, I hear the key in the padlock on the outside of my door. The door swings open and Pete enters the room with a wicked smile. John stayed in the door way to ensure that I don't run past them both.