Chapter 1

It was such a beautiful day in Los Angeles; the sun was shinning, birds chirping their elation at the beautiful weather that was thrust upon them, and families playing under the sunny weather. However, not all was great for one young girl in particular, for she sat hidden in a tenebrous closet, ears perked up, hearing each thunderous footstep as they neared her hiding place. The frightened girl watched as the doorknob was turned and before her eyes the door started to open, each hinge complaining with every angle added.

"You little conniving bitch. Thought you could go behind my back didn't you?! Thought I wouldn't find out! I have eyes everywhere! You can never escape!" A thunderous voice screeched.

Yesterday

"Letty! Letty where are you?! Open up!" Dom stood outside the wooden door, which was currently separating him from checking on his friend who has currently been M.I.A for the last three days. "Letty please I'm really worried about you," Dom breathed, as he strained his ears for any sign of movement behind the locked door. When he heard nothing but faint wisps of clatter, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Climbing up the well-known railing leading to Letty's bedroom on the second floor, he swiftly tugged open her window and clambered into the house. As he made his way down the stairs, he noticed a figure lying in a foetal position in the corner of the living room. That couldn't be Letty, could it? Not his tough, strong-minded, I-can-do-it-myself Letty. This girl looked anything but. A bruised and battered body with tears streaking her face met his eyes.

"Letty…" He whispered, running to her side. "Baby what happened?!"

"Dom?" Letty managed, disoriented. "What are you doing here? You can't be here! He'll hurt you! Please, you have to leave!" She exclaimed urgently.

Dom confused and undeterred questioned, "what do you mean 'he'll hurt me'? Who will? Sam?"

At the mere mention of Sam, Letty froze. "Please Dom, you can't be here!"

"Let, look at you. You're all bruised up, I'm sure at least some of your ribs are broken, and you've been crying. Please let me help you!"

Dom picked her up in his hefty arms and carried her across the road to his house. Once inside the safe haven, he took her to his room, avoiding curious eyes as everyone else was at the family's garage. He laid her down on his bed, taking off her clothes, swallowing the lump in his throat as he looked at her once flawless body covered in purple and yellow contusions.

"I'm sorry." Was all that was uttered between the pair, as Dom took Letty to the shower to clean up. As he washed her body, he noticed the dried blood and giant bruising that covered her tiny body, blaming himself for not checking on her sooner. How long had she been suffering? Why had this happened?

Questions swam through Dom's brain as he pulled one of his shirts over her head and lay her down in his bed. He too changed and snuggled in close to her, wrapping a protective arm around her body, careful not to irritate her wounds. He had so many questions for her. So many questions that, must wait until she has woken. All night he watched her angelic face take on a look of peacefulness as thoughts clouded his mind, and a frown took permanent residency on his face for the night.

The next morning, Letty confided in Dom, all that was happening to her. He listened, with fists balled at his sides, and plans calculating in his brain on how to save Letty and kill the bastard hurting her. He didn't realise, however that he was too late.