Trigger warning for uncomfortable reading
December 2017
Stevie had returned to work after her bruising had healed. She had fallen back into the same routine, Declan controlled every aspect of her life, he beat her and he raped her on a daily basis and each day she woke up hoping it would be her last. She had a lifeline now though, for the last month Smithy had offered her support, he had supplied her with a secret phone that was hidden in the house, he gave her money on a regular basis, without question. She had a key to his flat, she could go anytime she needed, even just to eat and bath without the fear of being caught. She always parked away and walked, leaving her belongings in the car, the phone Declan traced her with sent to answerphone with the message she was working a case. Declan hated it but accepted the excuse of work. She began to make their bed, they had just had sex in, if you can call it that, she had stayed still and gone through the motions, she died inside a little more every time he kissed or touched her. Feeling his hand in her hair she winced in pain, "Dec, your hurting me" she stated. He continued to drag her through the flat and into the kitchen, he pushed her to the floor. Seeing the box of washing powder on the table she began to panic. "Dec please" she whispered as he pulled the sandwich bag out, the phone Smithy had given her inside. "It's not mine" she lied
"Then why is it in our laundry powder?"
"It was my mums" she cried, Smithy had came up with a cover story "It doesn't even work" she knew that to be true, like Smithy had told her, she had the battery hidden in a cushion in the living room, she couldn't risk Declan finding the only number stored on it to be that of Smithy. "I didn't want to throw it away, I know you don't like me to have a phone, I hid it, I'm sorry, I just miss my mum"
"You have me, why do you still whine over you mum?"
"Because she was my mum and I loved her"
"Well she is gone" he dropped the phone on the floor "Pick it up" he spat. She moved her hand over the phone, feeling his foot push onto her knuckles "When are you going to learn Stevie, you are alone in this world, except me" he pushed down hard and pain shot through her fingers
"I'm sorry Dec" she cried as he pushed harder still "Please stop".
He moved his foot slightly so she could pull her hand away, he slammed his foot down onto the phone and she watched as it shattered into pieces "Who do you have in this world Stevie? Who actually cares for you?"
"No one, I'm all alone, except you" she replied. But she wasn't alone, she had Smithy and he had promised to always be there for her.
The following week arrived quickly, Stevie hadn't found the courage to leave and wasn't sure she ever would, the more time that passed, the harder it became. They were celebrating Christmas late this year, December 29th to be precise, they were both working until that day. She hadn't made the same mistake as their anniversary and had invested in a small bottle of aftershave. She had given him his gift when he told her he would be back shortly. He returned twenty or so minutes later and placed a small tabby kitten to her lap. "Merry Christmas" he smiled.
"You got me a cat?" she asked
"Yes" he replied simply
"I don't know what to say, does he have a name?"
"No and he doesn't need one"
"What?"
"I'm going to make this clear Stevie, this cat will be dead within a month"
"I don't understand" she replied looking horrified
"The next time you step out of line, I am going to slit his throat and you will sit and hold him whilst he dies and it will be your fault"
"Declan, I haven't done anything, I promise"
"Liar, I have been following you, after I found that phone, I knew something was wrong, do you think I am stupid? I have seen you going into a block of flats"
"It's for a case"
"Stop lying or I will kill him now"
"I'm sorry, okay, I have been going to a flat to have a bath"
"Who's flat?"
"It's just a friend, someone my mum knew"
"I'm fed up of hearing about your fucking mum, you are lucky she is dead or I'd of killed her myself"
"She was my mum, I loved her" tears rolled down her cheek
"Shut up and stay away from that flat"
"I just wanted to look my best for you Dec"
"Well next time you fancy a dip in a friend's bath, that cat dies" he pushed the kitten from her lap and she watched as it cried and ran away. Stevie knew she couldn't carry on like this. She would try to stay out of his way as best she could and then she would ask Smithy for the help she needed.
January 2018
It had been a long difficult few days, she was more frightened now than she had ever been, this innocent little kittens life was depending on her. She had to escape and start her life over without Declan, just her and Houdini, Declan had told her not to name the kitten but he was going to be joining her on her escape, he needed a name.
Arriving at work early on a cold, frosty morning, Dec watched her walk to her desk and she sat, waiting for her chance, her moment to escape his eyes, that came when Neil walked into his office and closed the door. Grabbing her bag, she virtually ran from the room, hoping and praying the man she needed most was in his office.
She knocked lightly and pushed the door open, seeing his gentle smile, she knew she was safe. She closed the door and he rose to his feet "Stevie are you okay?"
"Please help me" she sunk to the bland patterned carpet and let out a desperate whimper "I can't do this anymore".
"Okay Stevie, everything is going to be okay, just tell me what you need?"
"I can't stay with him anymore, I can't take it anymore Smithy, please help me leave him". He moved round the room, closing the blinds before sinking down next to her on the floor and pulling her into his arms
"Stevie, you are safe now" he kissed the top of her head "You never have to go back, I promise you, its going to be okay".
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