ok i had inspiration to write this story, and its causing writers block on my other story so i need to get some of this out of my system so i can keep on writing with my other one, 'changed', anyways tell me if you have any ideas, that could help for 'changed'. ok here you go the first chapter of 'hope never dies'

Gabriella Montez sat on the stairs outside her suburban home, tears slowly rolling down her tan cheeks. She silently brought her hand to her neck and caressed the fingernail marks. She moved her hand down to her rib and pressed it gently, assessing the damage.

Gabriella let out a sigh, wincing as the memories flowed back to her.

Flashback

Gabriella had been locked outside for around an hour now, and she was getting sick of it. She could hear voices, echoing around in the house. Gabriella started to try to push the door open; she shoved her shoulder roughly against the door with all her might. Gabriella winced and slowly slid down the door, beginning to get a bit panicky as she looked down the dark, empty street. She felt alone.

After a sudden burst of anger at her mother and step father, she began to kick the door, banging her fists against it. Gabriella was about to shove into the door again; when it was wrenched open an angry Phil appearing. Phil was Gabriella's step father; he didn't have good history with Gabriella not at all. When Gabriella had been in grade 7, he had lost his temper and hit her head on the desk corner, she had remembered crying herself to sleep and then the next day having to sit embarrassed as her mother explained to the teacher the lie Phil had weaved. That was when it all started, the beating started to become more often. Whenever Gabriella did something he didn't like, he would beat her.

Gabriella stumbled as Phil wrenched open the door, but quickly got back up, sending him a glare. A smirk tugged at the older mans lips. He let her inside and led her to the lounge room. He started to lecture her, although she did not listen, on how rude she was. Phil was going on about something or another when he brought her real father into the convosation. Gabriella had leapt to his defence "Don't you dare talk about my father, Don't you dare" she yelled fuming.

"Don't talk to me like that" he said superiorly, smirking.

Gabriella took two steps towards him, she would not give up.

"I will talk to you how I damn well like" she growled, pushing herself up to her full height. She knew she shouldn't wind him up, but right now she was beyond reason.

He continued to smirk at her "no you wont" he growled and grabbed her small wrist.

Gabriella stared him in the eyes, his eyes were dark brown, almost black and they were uncaring. Gabriella continued to search his eyes, when she saw the flicker that was there every time he beat her, she panicked and kicked him hard in his shin. Phil lunged at her elbowing her in the ribs and grabbing at her throat. She felt his nails dig hard into the soft skin there Gabriella raised her arms and hit his arms away from her; she slapped him across the face. Gabriella leant against the wall panting, as the tall man in front of her glared at her, a hand on his cheek.

"Oh you shouldn't have done that" he growled menacingly.

Gabriella felt her breath hitch in her throat and then her heart rate pick up. She ran towards the kitchen trying to find somewhere to hide or something to defend herself with.

She saw a spanner lying on the table and shuddered, if he had gotten here first, what he could have done to her with that. She grabbed it and ran through the kitchen to her room, running past her mother's bedroom door.

She hid in her room locking the door with shaky hands, frantically looking for a safe place to hide. She heard Phil thumping roughly against the door and she quickly dived under her bed.

Eventually she heard the door clutter open.

"Do you want to play hide and seek brie" he snarled, "there's no point in hiding when you know I'll always win".

Gabriella felt her heat thudding against her chest as a cold sweat broke out on her neck. Her hands trembled and she held the spanner close to her chest, but then decided it was safer for her if she kept it away.

She layed it down, and tried to control her breathing she heard him thumbing around. He turned around and walked into the closet, Gabriella quickly pushed herself out from underneath the bed, trying to get away. Much to her dismay he turned around getting out of her cupboard.

"found you" he smiled evilly.

Gabriella felt her stomach drop, and tears begun to form in her eyes. She was like a dear in the headlights as he advanced towards her, glued into place.

His hand came down hard across her face. Gabriella blanked out once, he beun to hit her, wishing to get away from the pain coursing through her body. Gabriella finally snapped out of it when his hand grabbed his belt, he took it off and forced her onto the floor. He stood above her and roughly brought the belt down on her back. The metal of the buckle cut through the thin material of her shirt and hit hard down on her now exposed back.

He continued to hit her, getting pleasure out of her quiet cries.

Gabriella felt the belt come down on her back once more hitting her spine roughly, cutting through her tender skin. She felt the blood begin to trickle down her back and she bit her tongue against the screams. He kicked her once more satisfied and left her room.

Gabriella had lied down on her bed for nearly an hour to sore to move before; she gained the courage and got up, grabbed another shirt and walked to the bathroom. She had pulled off her ruined shirt. Gabriella slowly walked over to the mirror and turned around so she could see her back. Gabriella stared at her back, it was red, with several open cuts, and a few bruises appearing. Gabriella felt her head spin slightly and her stomach lurch, she leant heavily over the sink, her stomach heaving. Slowly the nausea disappeared and she lifted her head. Her hair was a mess, her mascara had run, from her puffy red eyes but the thing that stood out to her most, was her eyes. Her chocolate eyes showed pain no 17 year old girl should have experienced, they were dull, dead. Gabriella limped over to the shower and turned the water to cool. Carefully she hopped in and put her back under the soothing water, she washed her face and the cuts before getting out. She lazily put on a baggy shirt and track pants, wincing as she moved her arms.

Gabriella had gone downstairs walking past her mother. Maria smiled at her daughter then greeted her; Gabriella just gave her a dead look and walked out. She knew, Gabriella thought, but she didn't want to believe it. She had heard the attacks but never actually witnessed one. Maria had chosen to believe the lies Phil spun.

End of flashback.

Gabriella slowly eased her eyes open and unclenched her fists, her small body shaking with sobs. That was how Gabriella had gotten here now, broken. Welcome to the life of Gabriella Montez.

k thanks for reading and please review, if you think i should continue.

xx