Veda Staite || d4 || [WIP]

What is a neglected child? She is a child not planned for, not wanted. Neglect begins, therefore, before she is born.

They call me "illegitimate." Like I am not a human being at all but some animal - no, invisible entity - that they recognize with nothing more than the occasional glare or snarl of pure disgust. But all that disgust, bitterness, and open resentment is much better than the alternative ignorance. At least when they spit at me I know I exist.

Sometimes I fear I am dead. Sure everyone fears death, but what do they know about having no one even acknowledge their existence? What do they know?

I live with them, train with them, and I endure their petty conversations and mundane bitchery. But I am not one of them. It is only the name that ties me to these insignificant fools that call themselves "Staite."

I am disallowed to accompany them in public as not to tarnish the name. "Stay home," was always the demand. I was 10 years old the last time I asked if I could go. Hair done up, clothes freshly pressed, and a smile on my face but the usual demand still followed: "Stay home."

"Why? What did I do?" The protest was harmless; it had only been the ill-advised words of a desperate 10 year old. The response was simple, straight-forward. But it was delivered with a harshness only reserved for the most disgusting scum of the world.

"You were born. You were a mistake. The very fact that you exist disgusts me beyond reason. You are not a part of this family, you are merely a piece of furniture we have been forced to keep in the house."

I like to think it was a kindness to be let down by my family at such an early age. At least I didn't spend the last 7 years trying to win over people who hate me.

It was about that time that I met a man who called himself Captain. He's really nothing more than a washed-up, aged-out career with a beer gut and sailor's mouth, but he showed me how to make it on my own, taught me everything I know.

People call it a joke but the art of fishing lure production is the real deal - and I’ve gotten pretty damn good at it thanks to Captain. Well that and rolling blunts.