I looked at myself in the mirror. I was disgusted by who I was becoming. I was running out of excuses and options. The scars both inside and outside would never heal. Thinking back on how it all started it was because of him. He broke my heart that night he told me about Sandy. Then Jimmy showed up, he gave me hope to love again. But that was short lived like his temper.

When he hit me the first time he said he didn't mean it but 6 months later I was used to the beatings. I stayed with him because I love him and he never means it. He always apologizes for it afterwards.

I took the pills to numb the pain and I cut for taking the pills. I wasn't who I used to be: Ruthie Camden the good student, beautiful girl with so much going for her, or the innocent youngest Camden. I was now Ruthie Camden, beaten by my boyfriend of more than a year, drug addict, and cutter. My parents never knew anything about it because I always hid it and they loved Jimmy. I thought I loved Jimmy but really I fear Jimmy. I loved him in the beginning but the love slowly washed away fear taking its place. I heard him call my name and I covered my arms and swallowed the pills bracing for the worst.

Martin's POV:

"Something's wrong with Ruthie, Martin." Simon yelled over the phone as I left class.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Go check on her please?"

"Sure." I hung up the phone and started my car. Halfway to Ruthie's I got a sick feeling in my stomach. 'Simon must be right about something being wrong.' I thought to myself as I pulled into the driveway. Jimmy's car was the only car in the driveway the Camdens would never leave Ruthie alone with him. As I got out of car I heard Ruthie scream. I ran into the house to see Jimmy threw Ruthie against the wall. She slowly slid down and he picked her up and started shaking her. Without thinking I ran into the room.

Ruthie's POV:

'Don't cry. Don't let him see your pain.' I felt the shaking stop as quickly as it started. Something wasn't right. I opened my eyes to see Martin slugging Jimmy. Martin was almost killing Jimmy; Martin threw Jimmy into the wall as I screamed in pain falling to the ground.

Martin's POV:

Ruthie screamed distracting me from hitting Jimmy who took the opportunity and ran. He took one look at Ruthie looking like a deer caught in headlights. I rushed over to Ruthie who barely muttered, "911." When the ambulance arrived Ruthie was shaking in my arms. They fired question after question at me until we got to the hospital. I sat in the waiting room for 2 hours until the doctor came out.

"Mr. Brewer, I'm Dr. Morgan."

"How is she?"
"Well she had a considerable amount of Palix in her system and some marks on her arm from cutting."

"Can I see her?" He pointed to her room and I slowly entered the room to see Ruthie crying on the bed. "Why?"

"I don't know Martin I really don't."

"Why didn't you come to me? I would have helped you."

"You have Sandy and Martin. You don't have time to worry about me."

"I always have time for you. How long?"

"What?"

"How long have you been doing this to yourself?"

"Almost 8 months."

"Why?"

"He hit me."

"I know I saw."

"No that wasn't the first time."

"You mean?"

"He started hitting me a month after we got together." I starred at her in disbelief. I couldn't believe that Ruthie, my Ruthie had been going through hell and didn't tell anyone. She soon started crying and I just sat there holding her.

"I have to call your family. Simon's worried about you."

"Call Kevin first." After calling everyone Ruthie looked at me with those eyes. I thought now was a great time to tell her.

"Ruthie I have to tell you something." Her dark eyes glazed over with tears trying to force their way down her face. "When I found out from Simon that you were with Jimmy that I love you." Her sad frown slowly turned its way into a small smile. "I shouldn't have waited this long. I should've told you sooner but you look so happy with him." She put her hand on mine and I looked up at her. I soon realized that she had been waiting to hear that since I left. I gently kissed her and as we pulled away her parents burst into the room.

"Ruthie are you okay?"

"No."

"What's wrong?"

"I have to tell you something." And I watched as she told her parents everything that she told me. Eventually everyone heard that story and no one didn't cry at how obvious it was. She looked at me with those eyes the eyes made me want to cry when she cried. She mouthed, "I love you too."