Chapter 1
My rainbow appearance made my boss send me home early, despite my constant pleading. Why doesn't he understand that I need the money? That If I don't receive the money, I was going to receive more bruises. My head down, I slid the key into the lock, saying silent prayers that he wasn't home, that for once in a long time, he went out to the bar or, even if I was really lucky, he would have run off with another girl.
But, I'm not lucky. Never had been. The door creaked open, reminding me I forgot to oil it, like He ordered. I winced, listening for any movement from inside. I didn't hear any. I cautiously closed the door behind me and creeping down the small hallway of our apartment. Everything was dark, the only light coming from the living room. I peeked around the doorway.
The only light came from the blaring TV. He was reclined on the chair, very still. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust enough to the light to see that he was asleep. Silent tears slid down my snowy, sunken cheeks, remembering the day I got myself into this situation. I wasn't even seventeen yet. How was I supposed to know that the soft spoken, friendly, gorgeous guy would turn into this man? Haven't I learned from when I was little to trust no one? Like my mother used to say, "Trust none of what you hear and only half of what you see."
As silently as I could, I crept past the doorway, hoping he would remain sleeping long enough to get up to my bedroom.
"Come back here, bitch. What the hell are you doing home so early? Slacken, you lazy slob?" I flinched, freezing where I stood. I heard the springs of the chair grown, and his heavy footsteps walk across the floor. I looked towards the hallway desperately, viewing my options quickly.
For once in a long time, I decided to take the chance. I made a run for the door.
I was just in the doorway when his hand caught a handful of my long hair, and pulled me back. Hard. He threw me against the hallway wall, my head hitting the plaster before I fell to the carpet. His foot connected with the side of my face, snapping my head to the side. I gasped as the pain stared shooting into my head, and tried to keep conscious. Another blow connected with my left shoulder. Then, he stepped on my wrist. I heard the bone snap before feeling the pain. That must have been the last straw.
Anger boiled inside me, mixing with frustration and disappointment. Something strange seemed to blanket my body, a warm, itchy feeling all around me. I imagined something awful happen to him. Then everything went black, and I was swallowed into a better place. The last thing I remember was him scream, then something heavy drop to the floor.
