Tangled Love

Do you ever feel yourself float away from your physical body in order to protect yourself?

Do you ever experience pain so fresh, it feels like your entire body is ignited in flames?

Do you ever sit back and question why? Why me?

A slap, then a punch, followed by a kick.

"Next time, you do as I tell you. No questions asked!" Trevor hisses at me through clenched teeth. His pale face is turning bright red, seething with anger. I nod furiously, pushing my petite frame as far up against the wall as I can. My hands physically shake, trembling from the fear overtaking me.

Whatever you do, don't make eye contact with him Emily. . . Eye contact is seen as a challenge.

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I'd remembered to wash the dishes left over from last night. I know it isn't a reason for him to hurt me but in

wraps itself in the strands of my hair and he pulls my

screams of agony fall upon deaf ears so I give up and lie there emotionlessly, letting him torture me like his little

my eyes. I refuse to cry. . . That's exactly what he wants. He wants me

he'd ripped it out. My finger trail down my cheek under my eye where the stinging is now turning into a tender blue

the

a small whimper as I attempt to lift my top to see the damage he inflicted. As

How sad is it that I can tell the difference between a bruised and

did you leave me like this Dad?" I whisper, glancing at the frame on my bedside table. A photograph taken of me as a little girl. . . large brown eyes shining happily as I sat on my fathers shoulders, holding onto his hair. His own eyes mirror mine, a pearly smile so white and wide.

I were inseparable.

had taken the picture on my sixth birthday party. I remember that day so well, the way my father smiled at me as he sang 'Happy Birthday'. I remember him clutching the cake in front of him, telling me to make a wish and blow out the candles. He cheered and clapped so loud, it felt like I had my own personal cheerleading squad.