Kirsty knew what was about to happen, but strangely that didn't make it any better or any worse- it just felt normal, after 15 years of it, it was normal.
Kirsty walked up the steps to her home- she had just finished a 15 hour shift and she was exhausted; she just wanted to go and curl up in bed. But it wasn't as easy as that.
"Warren? Nita?" Kirsty called as the handle she had turned instantly instigated the swinging, opening motion of the door.
"In 'ere" came Warren's gruff, obviously furious voice.
"Hiya , you have a good day?" Kirsty asked ,as upbeat and cheerfully as possible- trying to hide the overwhelming sense of fear she was feeling with a fake smile.
"Why didn't you call me?" Warren spat ,crossly referring to the fact that she was over 20 minutes late and had not even phoned to tell him.
"I, I didn't have time" Kirsty excused; the previously strong, independent woman trembled -unable to hide her fear any longer.
"I was worried" Warren stated, almost emotionless- apart from a hint of anger in his eyes.
"Oh, you shouldn't have love, I was fine" Kirsty said, placing her arm on Warren's hand, trying to calm him but knowing damn well what was coming.
This seemingly insincere act of care tipped Warren over the top, as he moved his hand from under her's ,and grabbed her wrist tightly "Stupid, cheating bitch!" he shouted- tightening his grip.
"Warren, please- no Warren!" Kirsty practically begged – grimacing from the pain coming from her wrist.
"Don't you try to tell me what to do!" he shouted, using his free hand to slap her across the face, with sufficient force to knock her down.
She yelped as she fell, and felt an intense pain in her shoulder as ,due to the fact that Warren had kept hold of her wrist, the force applied to the arm as she fell painfully yanked her arm in the opposite direction to her body. Dislocating her shoulder.
A fierce, merciless beating ensued- Kirsty was silent throughout and she just waited numbly holding her shoulder, hoping it would end.
After a few minutes Warren seemed to tire and stopped, and just stood there- looking down and his sniveling wife, beaming with pride at his handiwork.
"So, you gunna do as I say next time then?"Warren asked Kirsty cockily- like a lion playing with its future meal.
Adrenaline pumping through her veins, and the pain searing through her clouding her judgment. She did the seemingly impossible- Kirsty answered back
"no" she said breathlessly.
"What?" Warren asked, momentarily stunned, this hadn't happened since the early days of their relationship...
"You, you he-heard me" Kirsty replied quietly, unable to believe what she was doing.
"You bitch!" Warren shouted: before grabbing the counter to steady himself and yanking his leg back; before kicking her head with such force that her head snapped back and hit the skirting board behind her with a deafening bang.
Kirsty had felt nothing as she saw his foot coming towards her face -no fear, no anger. Nothing. Then darkness overcame her.