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 know it isn't a reason for him to

wraps itself in the strands of my hair

agony fall upon deaf ears

hastily wiping the tears away from my eyes. I refuse to cry. . . That's exactly what he wants. He wants me to

missing, the scalp throbbing painfully where he'd ripped it out. My finger trail down my cheek

because the bruises don't show up as

to see the damage he inflicted. As expected the bruises run up my side but thankfully nothing feels broken.

it that I can tell the difference between a bruised and

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

Dad and I were inseparable.

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