Wishes.

1.-Escape.

The blows rained down upon me as I curled up into a ball. This happened regularly. About once a week, but they usually stopped after a few kicks and not the beating I was receiving. I raised my arms to protect my head and cringed as I saw his grin. He saw the opening I'd created and began to kick me vigorously in the ribs. I hissed as the air rushed out of my lungs. No broken ribs. This time. It'd have hurt a lot more. He kicked me one last time and a yelp exploded from my mouth. He chuckled before leaving to shuffle into the kitchen. He probably wanted a celebratory beer. Sick Bastard. My vision started to go hazy and I clung to the pain to stay conscious.

I uncurled and tried to get to my feet and winced. My ribs were really tender. I grabbed the banister and pulled myself up the stairs. I could hear him coming closer, his boots clumping across the floor. I hurried as fast as I could and tripped on the last stair. Banging my head in the process; I saw stars. I dragged in a deep breath and pulled myself to my feet. I shuffled into my bedroom and closed the door: turning the key, pulling the chain across and drawing the bolt.

I was so tired and I knew sleep would be a brief reprieve from the pain. But I couldn't. I feared I had a concussion at the least. I gathered some things. Toiletries, a set of clothes and threw on a jumper. I pulled the wad of money I'd hidden in an empty box of tampons. Somewhere he'd never look.

I slid open he window and gasped as a harsh wind bit into my skin. I hopped down onto the balcony above the door, closing the window behind me and sat down without making any noise. I swung my legs and dropped to the ground. I stumbled and grazed my knee. It was a pinprick compared to the pain in my head and my ribs. I curled up as a fresh wave of pain almost swept me into oblivion. I slowly got up and attempted to stop shaking. It was useless so I gave up.

I staggered over to the wall and clung against the ivy until the shakes lessened. I drew in a large lungful of air before starting to make my way to Leah's. Leah Clearwater is my best friend; we're seniors at the Reserve.

Collapse was now a threat I was so tired I thought I'd drop. Instead I moved my leaden limbs and shuffled the last few blocks. 'Just a few more steps' was a mantra I mumbled the whole way. Leah lived in La Push and I lived on the edge of Forks. Quite a way to walk or in my case plod. I was nearly there! I could see the lights shining from inside her house and smiled.

Safety was a few feet away! I knocked on the door and waited for her to answer. It swung open and her face smiled down at me. "Ramona!" she exclaimed happily. And that's the last thing I heard before everything went black.