Please Believe Me

**Flashback: 8 years ago.**

**(TW: Mentions of sexual assault. Proceed with caution)**

***Hazel***

“Mom!”

My scream tore through the kitchen as I burst through the back door, the hinges rattling from the force. My throat burned from crying, but I couldn’t stop calling her. “Mom! Where are you? Mommy!”

Every step was agony. My legs wobbled, my thighs rubbed against torn, stinging skin. The ache b