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 Trevors eyes, it's justified.

wraps itself in the strands of my hair and he pulls my head backwards,

of agony fall upon deaf ears so I give up and lie there emotionlessly, letting

I stare at my reflection in the mirror and sigh, hastily wiping the tears away from my eyes. I refuse to cry. . . That's exactly what he

my dark brown hair is missing, the scalp throbbing painfully where he'd ripped it out. My finger trail down my cheek under my eye where the stinging is now turning into

grateful for my tanned complexion because the bruises don't show

attempt to lift my top to see the damage he inflicted. As expected the

that I can tell the

photograph taken of me as a little girl. . . large

Dad and I were inseparable.

birthday party. I remember that day so well, the way my father smiled at me as he sang 'Happy