~ Lacey ~
He hit me over and over again, ignoring my cries for help. I could feel the tears streaming down my face again, however hard I tried not to let him see me cry. I hated him. My love for him had dissolved months ago but I was stuck in a loop of not being able to leave him. This time was different. He was saying such horrible thing, such awful things, words that were sticking in my head. Worthless. Fat. Useless. Pathetic. I tried to ignore them, but that meant focusing on the physical pain.
I was lying, curled up on the floor, sheltering my body as he hit me and kicked me. I tried to roll out of range, but he grabbed my arm, making me wince and try to pull back, but he roughly pulled me up from the floor. 'I hate you' he hissed in my face.
For the first time in months, I looked into his eyes. I saw hatred, anger, I saw drunkness, but I saw no love. Not anymore. When he first started hitting me, he apologised, blaming it on the alcohol. I forgave him easily, ready to do anything for the one I loved. But now there was nothing. He stared back at me. There was silence for a few minutes. I pushed him with the little strength I had, and he staggered backwards, the alcohol affecting his reaction. I ran for it.
I sprinted towards the front door of our flat, determined to get away this time. I refused to be locked away anymore. I wrenched it open, and slammed it shut again. I dived for the neighbour's door, banging on it madly.
'Help me! Please! Help me! Let me in!' I screamed as loud as I could, terrified. I could hear him yelling, I saw the door to our flat open, saw his face, just as the door in front of me opened, and I fell into the safety of our neighbour's arms.
~ Dan ~
'Help me! Please! Help me! Let me in!'
I was woken by what sounded like a girl screaming for help outside our door. I staggered blindly out my bedroom, and opened it, only to find a thin, terrified girl falling into my arms and slamming the door shut. Immediately a man's voice started yelling the other side, pounding on the front door with so much strength that it seemed as if he could break it down. Eventually he stopped, and evidently left.
I stood there in shock for a moment, bewildered by what had happened. I became aware of the sobbing girl who had crumpled to the floor, just as Phil came out of his room.
'Wha- What happened?'
I turned around. 'I have no idea...'