Chapter 1 : Blue and Black

Her vision was blurred and everything in the dark room she was in seemed spinning. Parts of her arms and legs felt numb from extreme pain and swollen yet a couple of places were surprisingly warm. A figure, that's all she can see with her fuzzy eyes. She instinctively curled into a ball resembling a porcupine trying to protect herself from what she fearfully thought would happen next.

"No no no! You have to stay awake!" A warm spot on her arm became rather void when the boy's hand let go of his gentle hold. He lightly slapped her cheek a couple of times with his now free hand to keep her from succumbing to exhaustion and fatigue.

"He just left. We can't waste another minute." He said with a sense of urgency. She drew in a weak breath, her eyes fluttered. She turned her head to the sound of the familiar voice. With the remaining strength she had, she feebly propped herself up to her feet. This is her chance; there is no time to waste just like he said.

The boy, skinny yet strong, held his gaze, matching the same intensity of her blue orbs, as he guided her across the dark bare room and out the door. His sad cornflower blue eyes were sincere and protective of her. What she didn't see were guilt and misery.

She paused by the door, apprehensive of what she might see on the hallway. But with the reassuring nod of the lad, she started her limping steps to freedom.

The damp earth caused by the rain hours ago smelled delightful to her nostrils. With eyes closed, she stood slightly taller and inhaled in as much as she could. Just minutes ago, only her sweat and nervous fear and his lingering alcohol were all she could breathe in in that dark room she had just escaped. Her bare left foot dug a little deeper to the soil, relishing the exterior of her so called prison and the liberty she finally attained.

Looking at her, his eyes softened and a sad smile spread across the boy's face. The simple joys she was taking in at that moment were for him to take as well. Though she had gone through worse than him, her will for survival is tantamount to his. It never faltered, it never dissipated. No matter how many blows her slender body had cushioned. No matter that her skin had turned from soft milky white to bumpy swollen patches of black and blue. Several months ago, after receiving the fifth strike, he silently vowed to himself and to her that he would find a way to break away from this hell hole they thought was home.

And with that memory, his consciousness was reeled back to reality. Not a single minute must be wasted. He thought as his smile disappeared. With his hand securing her balance around her waist, he tapped her hip. She looked at him with understanding when he nodded his head to signal that they must continue to flee.

TBC... Sorry for the short first chapter. I'll upload the next one as soon as I can. Please R and R. Thanks!