Muffled moans.
Forceful grunts.
Blue diamonds moving on a green field.
She lay, unable to move, terrified and ashamed. Tears blurred her vision, soaked into the pillow.
He sat in the chair across the room, naked; her blood drying on him. Watching, thinking.
I didn't wanna hurt you
But you're pretty when you cry
He took another shot of tequila, then stood and walked into the bathroom.
He came out with a white towel.
"Clean yourself up. You're making a mess."
He walked back in and closed the door. She heard the shower come on.
Slowly, she sat up. Wiped her tears, wiped the blood from her lip, from between her legs. She pulled her shirt back on and scanned the room for her panties and pants.
The shower turned off.
He walked out in just a towel, his hair still dripping. He did not look at her.
She had once thought herself lucky. She had thought him sexy, handsome… sweet, even. And he'd said he loved her. She believed him.
Until the abuse began.
He pulled his pants on and threw hers onto the bed.
"Get dressed. We have to go."
She pulled her pants on and slipped into her shoes. A look into the mirror revealed a bruised cheek and a cut lip that would be difficult to disguise. But not impossible.
Thank the Unnamed God for MAC Landscape Green Chroma Cake, she thought. It was the only makeup that nearly matched the hue of her green skin. Practiced hands dabbed the makeup around the cuts and over the bruises. Good as new, she thought sardonically.
She turned to walk out of the bathroom and was startled to see him staring at her from the doorway.
His eyes terrified her. She wondered what he was thinking.
I didn't wanna fuck you
But you're pretty when you're mine
"Let's go. We have class in twenty minutes."
He walked into the building first. She knew better than to walk anywhere near him. He wouldn't be seen with her, lest his image be tarnished.
She tried her best not to limp.
Her friend Boq caught up to her in the hallway. He was high-strung and energetic, as usual.
"I thought you weren't gonna make it today! Where have you been? Professor Nikidik is doing a special lecture today on the difference between Animals and animals, and he's gonna be doing an experiment, and it's gonna be- Elphie? What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She looked at him. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
He stared at her for a few moments, then shrugged. "You just seem a little off, that's all."
She merely grunted. Before she could respond, however, the bell rang, and they all took their seats in the lecture hall.
As the Professor droned on about his "Animal vs. animal" theory, and prepared the experiment he intended to use to prove his point, her eyes caught his across the room. Her palms began to sweat as he stared at her, a sadistic smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. She felt as though his eyes were ripping her clothes off piece by piece, raping her mind and soul. She looked away, suddenly afraid.
He was only going to get worse, she knew.
She wished she knew how to escape.
I didn't really love you
But I'm pretty when I lie