Laughter. Not warm. Cold. Unfeeling. Spiteful. Echoing.

Dudley stood above me. A looming shadow, blocking out half of the already-weak sunlight washing over the backyard. Blocking out my hope of survival.

His mouth was fixed with a wide, sneering grin. Mocking. His foot slammed into my stomach again, knocking the breath out of me, knocking the life out of me.

As a last rush of air passed through my cracked lips, I could feel that last shred of hope leaving me as well.

I was all alone, and the world was tipping sideways, and I was falling down, down, down.