BPOV

I could feel the blood pooling in my mouth.

I couldn't breathe. I knew I needed to get out of here before he left a mark that would cause more questions.

"Jake" I gasped, "please."

I knew it was pointless to appeal to the Jake I knew; presently he was not here. His face, void of any emotion or feeling lashed out at me constantly now.

This was always our pattern.

We were dangerous for each other and I was the only one who knew it.

"Listen Bella, I never want you to be a little bitch in front of my friends, ever again."

Jake always tried to leave me with a reminder as to why he began the violence, but I knew it never made any sense.

I just nodded my head. Jake's eyes seemed to soften and he whispered "You know I never mean to hurt you baby. You just make me so crazy sometimes! You know you bring out the worst in me right?" He nudged my shoulder to try to get me to play along but I felt numb.

He had never hit me square in the mouth like he had just done. The violence was escalating.

You may ask me HOW it got to this point. Did I ever imagine myself being involved in an... well I guess I have to say abusive relationship? Before I even answer, you should know that NO girl dreams of their Prince Charming beating the crap out of them. In fact, if I saw myself here a year ago, I would have been astounded.

LEAVE! I would have shouted to this girl, this ghost of a person I had become.

Ah, if things were that simple.

The fact of the matter is, no violent relationship begins like this. At first, it's a fight that lasts just a little too long. You see a flash of something in his eye as he enjoys the domination, pinning you down and feeling powerful. Then, it's anger when you refuse to make out all the time. A hard pinch on the side that he says is just a joke.

Then slowly, things begin to spin out of control. Where do I go from here?

The beatings had become more frequent as of late, kicks in the stomach were commonplace. But hits to the face? I was ashamed of myself.

With all the courage I could muster, I stared Jake straight in the eye and said "This things between us? This abuse. It's over."

That's the last thing I remember.