"Hey you! Woman! What are you doing in my house!?" He yelled, spit flying from his mouth. I shuttered. My mother picked me up in her arms and stood up. I could tell she didn't want to let me go, but she knew she had to. She set me down right behind her and whispered to me, "Don't move. Mommy will keep you safe."

"I said, 'What are you doing in my house!'" He was now screaming; his face turning red with fury. He had grabbed my mother's wrist and was in her face as close as he could get. I could see my mother wincing in pain, but still she stood her ground; protecting her child.

"What do you mean? I am your wife. This is MY house, too!" Mother screamed back. If he wasn't angry before, he was now. Rage was pouring from him thorough every crack and crevice. I didn't think he could get any angrier.

"This is not your house! This is MY house!! Now what are you doing in it!?" With this, he threw my mother against the wall; her body crumbling to the ground. She was in pain. I could see it in her eyes. I was very angry at my father. How could he to this to her? My mother! She was mine, not his. My anger matching his, I ran forward with all my might, and kicked him in the shin. He winched and almost caved, but at the last second, righted himself. He came at me; hands clenched; fists flaring. I was scared out of my mind. He was the ring-leader. He ran the show; no one else. And if anyone else tried, they were in for the worst.

He was coming closer and closer; the body heat was intense. His nostrils were flaring; his ears pink. I didn't know what he'd do to me. He was very angry and could kill me if he felt like it. But instead, he backed out and went for my mother again.

"No Daddy! Please daddy, leave mommy alone!! She's a good mommy!" But it was no use. When he sets his mind to something, that's that. He won't listen to no one but himself.

He walked towards my mother, and picked her up in his arms. I screamed and screamed; the tears falling in great streams. But his mind was set. He was drunk and angry and he wanted HIS house all to HIMSELF.

Without letting her go, he reached forward and grabbed a knife off the kitchen counter. (Is it just me or does he have some strange fascination with knifes?)

"You were never that good of a wife, you know. You never did what I asked and you didn't care for me like you should have. Why couldn't you be better? Nicer, even? I'm doing this for you, you know. Well. . . Good Bye."

It was a swift clean cut. Her neck was glistening with the red blood; It was soaking through her clothes and running down her arms. It was a sight I had never seen before and hoped never to have to see it again.

"No! Mommy, oh mommy. Come back!! I need you! Come back!" I collapsed onto the floor; falling at my mother's side. I laid my head on her shoulder and cried my tears for her.

"Please," I whispered through my sobs, "Please come back."

"She's not coming back, you brat. Now get off that dirty floor and get me a beer!" He was still furious, but I didn't care. I was getting out of there.

* * *

"That night I attempted to run away. But he came after me. He dragged me home and locked me in my room without food or water for 3 days, when he finally decided to let me out. For the next seven years, I went through all the worst things you could think of. My father was a horrible person to me. Finally this year, I had enough. I ran away from home tonight after a brutal attempt to kill me." At this, I lifted to painted leg to show him the horrible reminder of my father he left me. The strangers eyes glowed with tears. He gasped when he saw the dried blood soaking my pant leg.

"Oh and another thing. My sister followed me out of the house tonight. Struggling after me. She had had enough too and she didn't want me to leave her alone with Him. But where is she now? That I do not know. I was too stupid not to look behind me and now she's gone." I finished my tale. The stranger just stood there, staring at me. He was in total and complete shock. He didn't know what to say; his sapphires glistening, so I spoke up for him.

"Do you see now? See why I was jumping, not falling?" now it was his turn to talk, so I turned towards him and looked him straight in the eyes.

"I see. I swear I do. But that is no reason to kill yourself. Yes, your life is crappy, but think about it. It can't get any worse. It can only get better. And I'll help you! We can get through this together."

"I'm not sure…."

"I promise. Everything will turn out good for you in the end. It will. And I'be there for you; every step of the way. I promise."

"Well…. I guess I could try.

"Good, good. Now what's your name?"

"Oh! My name is Kylie. Kylie Anderson."

"Well, Kylie, if your going to be living with me, you need a new name. Kylie won't do. Your father could find you. What about if I called you…. Sleet? Ya, Sleet. It will remind us of this night always. The night I found you and saved you."

"Ok….I guess. Yeah, sounds good. By the way, what's your name?"

"Me names' Spot. Spot Conlon. Respected leader of the Brooklyn Newsies!"