Prologue
I sat alone in my dorm room, tears streaked down my face and make-up stained my shirt. The sofa was lumpy and the broken arm rest was digging into my back. The floor creaked and the door handle jiggled. I stiffened at the sound.
"Come on Bella, open the door." I stayed silent and unmoving on the sofa. I didn't dare breathe. I was scared that even the slightest movement would open that door, and let in the person who put me in my own personal hell.
"Are you going to open the door or not?" He sounded angry, this was not good. He was not good when he was angry. I could tell he was pacing outside, by the sound of heavy footfalls on the other side of the door.
"You will talk to me, I'll find a way. You can't stop me." I swallowed and watched the door. It was old, he could break it down if he wanted to, and it would be no trouble for him. I heard a fist pound against the door, and I jumped. My thoughts betrayed me, telling him my weakness. I heard another softer thud against the door.
"You will talk to me tomorrow, Bella, it's inevitable." The retreating footfalls signaled safety. I let out the breath I had been holding ever since he started waiting outside that door three hours ago.
I slouched down and into the couch, and put my hands over my eyes, trying to stop the tears that had gathered in my eyes form coming out. I wondered how it had ever come to be like this. I sighed and said to myself
"I wonder if it's hopeless. What would happen if I disappeared? What would happen if I just vanished right now? If I was alone then I couldn't hurt anyone and no one could hurt me." If I just gave up then I'd be free of this misery.