A/N: Parts of this story contain descriptions of an abusive relationship. As a survivor myself, I understand it may be uncomfortable or a trigger for some to read, so please be cautious. Therefore, I have toned it down to what is only necessary and placed this warning.
I guess I kind of wanted to raise awareness of the subject, this is the only way I know how. Also, it somewhat helps me when I write, call it self therapy if you will. A coping mechanism. Although this was hard for me to write...not too sure why I even wrote this...anyway...
Unfortunately this is the reality of some people's lives. If you are a victim of abuse, of any kind, please seek help or confide in someone. If you have suspicions, or know someone who is suffering by it, please tell also. You could save someone's , you are never alone.
Apart from that, please enjoy.

Alice sipped her milkshake and looked out of the window. She loved this cafe, the view of the sea was so calming, especially as the sun shone down on the soft lapping waves. She was watching a couple mess about in the water, splashing each other and laughing. She smiled, she would love to feel the cool water on her skin right now, it would be so refreshing.

"You finished yet?"

A sharp voice brought her back to reality, she looked over the table to her boyfriend, Luke. She could see he was getting impatient. "Yeah, sure." she muttered.

He grabbed his wallet and threw some money on the table, "Come on then, I'm not sitting here all day."

She picked up her handbag and followed him outside. Immediately the warm air hit her, she felt the sun on her skin and placed her sunglasses on. Luke had already begun walking down the road, she quickly caught up with him. "Where are we going?"

He looked down at his phone, "I need to get some money out for Harry, then pick up some beers for later."

"Ugh, I can't stand harry. He's so...creepy."

"Well, he's my friend so we are meeting up with him." Luke replied bluntly.

They walked to the ATM and she stood next to him as he punched in his pin.

Luke sighed and hit the screen, "Piece of shit come on, work!"

Alice glanced over her shoulder to see a few people in the queue behind them.

"Give me your card."

She looked back at him. "What?"

"You heard, my idiot boss hasn't paid me yet, so I need to take your money out."

"But-"

He grunted and grabbed her bag, unzipped it and helped himself to her purse. He pulled out her bank card and swapped it for his. Once he had the money he shoved it back in her bag and walked away.

"How much did you take out?" she asked following him.

He shoved the money in his pocket. "Sixty."

"Sixty?" she cried. "But I need that for the electric bill."

"So?" he smirked. "Get your dad to pay it."

They made their way to the shop, but were stopped by one of Luke's friends. The two began talking and Alice was left to stand and wait.

She looked at the beach again, something caught her eye. A young man was pinning up a colourful poster on one of the walls. She watched as he moved out of the way, the poster was advertising that a circus was moving into the town for a while. Her eyes lit up as she saw it, she always loved the circus and funfairs, it could be fun. It was then the young man caught her attention.

He turned to meet her gaze, more posters under one arm. He was handsome, she had to admit. His ginger hair was amplified by the sun, his skin so perfect and those eyes. She couldn't quite make out the colour from afar, but they seemed to have a twinkle in them.

A smile crept across his face as he looked at her, showing his white teeth. Alice couldn't help but smile back, she lifted a hand to wave, he did so as well. He seemed familiar, had she seen him before? No, he must be with the circus, she couldn't have seen him before. But something inside of her had sparked, it almost felt as if her heart skipped a beat when he smiled again.

"Alice!"

She looked at Luke. "Yeah, sorry I was just looking at that poster..." she looked back at the poster to find the young man gone. Some kind of sadness came over her when she saw this.

Luke looked over, "Circus huh? All those creepy clowns."

"Can we go?" she smiled hopefully.

"What are you, four years old or something?" he snapped, but then thought for a minute. "Actually...could be cool to pull some pranks there. Yea go on then, we got nothing better to do."

Jerome was back at his trailer, finally finished with the hated 'poster duty'. It was only early evening and already he was exhausted, damn summer heat.

His mind wandered to the girl he saw, that smiling brunette. He had to admit, she was cute, cuter than a lot of the girls he had met on his travels. There was something about her, he couldn't put a name to the feeling. Was it curiosity? Lust? Boredom? Whatever it was, he wanted more. When Jerome Valeska wanted something, he got it.

He wanted her.

He had observed the way that man spoke to her. Man? No, a little boy. Jerome was an old fashioned gentleman, at least, he liked to think so. A lady must should be treated with respect, not like he was treating her.

Anger began to rise inside of him. He decided to ignore his fatigue and go for a walk.

Alice finished up her dinner and cleaned the table. She was eating alone tonight, Luke was with his friends drinking. Nothing new there. She decided to take a shower and get changed into her pyjamas.

After laying in bed for a while, she realized it was too warm to sleep. She loved summer, but sometimes the heat could be so uncomfortable.

She opened up the bedroom window and lit a cigarette. With it balanced in her mouth, she tied her brunette hair back into a bun in an attempt to cool off more. She took a long pull from her cigarette and looked up at the moon. It was so bright, surrounded by millions of stars.

Jerome stood in the darkness and watched as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish..." she paused to let out a sigh, "I wish I could be free." she opened her eyes, but shut them again as tears began to trickle down her cheek.

Jerome felt something in the pit of his stomach. He watched on as she took another pull from her cigarette.

She loved Luke yes, but he could be a bit...heavy handed at times. His temper was not his strong point. He was nice when they first began dating, but over the last few months she had seen his true colours. She had tried to leave before, but soon learnt that she belonged to him. Weather she liked it or not.

She finished up her cigarette and wiped her eyes. She left the window open to let the cool breeze in.

He watched as her figure disappeared further into the room. He waited until the light was switched off, before reluctantly walking away.

She was soon in her bed and drifting off to sleep.

That night, she dreamed.

She was running, faster than she ever had before. She was running from him, from Luke.

She looked back over her shoulder to see him perusing her with a belt. She looked back in front of her, not knowing where she was going because of the tears covering her eyes.

She didn't care, she just ran.

But she was stopped when she tripped over, face planting the cold floor. She turned over to see him standing over her, belt in hand. He said something she couldn't quite hear, then raised the belt.