Hello Everyone!
I haven't written in what feels like ages, but with everything going on and getting back on here I thought I'd start again. Writing always did tend to allow me to express myself and be free, and what better way then to share with you all! I've been inspired by so many authors on here and your beautiful work that I dusted off the old keyboard and tried something new. Hope you like!

Prologue – I should have known better

If there's one thing I always did in my life, it was to keep me guard up. My brother and me were taught to after all. Growing up with Clint Barton as my overprotective brother made me resent him from time to time, but when our parents passed, we grew closer, and became each other's lifeline. We were now each other's family and we made sure to always be there for one another. Over time Clint's life became busy, meeting Lauren and having the kids, joining Shield and then the Avengers and travelling worlds while saving the galaxy – I was proud to call him my brother. He had grown into this amazing human being, a hero, and me? Well I chose a quieter path in life.

I was slightly more reclusive then Clint, if that's even possible, and my life was kept much quieter. I had a job with a small independent publishing company as an editor which allowed me the chance to chase me life's dream of the written word. I absolutely loved getting lost in a good book, and my career had offered me the chance to do so. I had a small group of friends, don't get me wrong, but I was always one to love the quiet and stillness of being on my own. Once Clint grew a life of his own, I had learned to embrace my independence. Although I must say, thanks to my brother I did met one of my absolute best and dearest friends who was like a sister to me, Nat. I learned to be strong from the both of them.

That is why I can't for the life of me fathom why I'm here right now. My life had gone so smoothly as of late, that is…

…until I met him. He was handsome and sweet, dashing, and able to sweep me off my feet. For the first time in a long time I allowed myself to be blindsided by sweet words and false promises. Dave promised me the world on a silver platter, told me I'd be safe no matter what…that he would love me forever.

If that's the case how did I wind up here?

I groaned in pain, my head throbbing – vision blurred. I lifted a shaking hand to my head and whimpered as I touched my lip and could feel the blood running down my chin. How could the man who promised me the world be looking at me with such hatred? I watched in fear as he took the next few steps towards me and cried out in pain as he kicked me in my ribs, the pain radiating through my body. He turned and walked back to the table taking a swig from his bottle, laughing as he swore in my direction.

I rolled onto my stomach as painlessly as I could, whimpering at the throbbing in my mid-section, I looked up and saw my purse on the ground where it had fallen not too long ago. I had met up with Nat and lost track of time arriving home slightly after 1. I came in to find this pig I called my boyfriend drunk as hell trashing my house. He had immediately turned on me and I knew what was to happen. This wasn't the first time, but I had forgiven him so many times already…I just braced myself for what came next.

That's how I found myself beaten and bloody on the ground after accusations of cheating spewed from his mouth. I crawled to the table my purse had fallen off, and slowly pulled myself up. I heard steps and before I could react, I felt my head snap back as Dave pulled my hair, the stench of alcohol drifting over me as he whispered in my ear.

"I'm not done with you whore…if I can't have you no one can. You're done."

A panic filled me as he pulled on my hair again, and it was like a switch flicked on in me. He was right, I was done. With all the strength I could muster I threw my head back with all my force and I winced as my head contacted his. He let go of me and I quickly stumbled forward to put some distance between us. I turned and could see the blood pouring out of his nose. He touched the blood running down his face and looked at me with utter contempt in his eyes.

"Now you've done it bitch, you're dead!" As he stalked towards me, I filled with panic and grabbed the nearest thing to me, a vase of flowers from his last apology to me and swung it at him with all the strength I could muster. With a loud crash he fell to the floor surrounded in broken glass, breathing but unconscious. I turned and grabbed my purse, holding my ribs in my hand and stumbled out of the house.

I moved as quickly as I could out of the house and down the street, stumbling through the darkness. Reaching into my purse I grabbed my phone out and dialed the last number I had called, praying. I heard a very distinct hello on the other line and thanked the God's she picked up.

"Angel? Everything ok?" As soon as she asked me that the tears began to flow. I could hear her calling my name again, panic rising in her voice.

"Nat, I need your help…" I managed to get out before the tears completely took over.

Thanks for reading!