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.

wash the dishes left over from last night. I

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

do this!" I yell, pleading with him. My screams of agony fall upon deaf ears so I give up and lie there

and sigh, hastily wiping the tears away from my eyes. I refuse to cry. . .

hair is missing, the scalp throbbing painfully where he'd ripped it out. My

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

bite my bottom lip and let out a small whimper as I attempt to lift my top to see the damage he

I can tell the difference

my bedside table. A photograph taken of me as a little girl. . .

Dad and I

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