I didn’t know how, but I woke up in my bed. I wasn’t even sure if what happened last night even happened, but I ached. I started to get worried. Did it really happen? Did one of the only men in my life I trusted hit me, punch me, kick me and torture me? I heard footstep up the stairs and I started to panic. Was he not done yet? Had he more punishments to give me? The beating of my heart started to pound against my skull and in my ears again. My door creaked open and thought to myself how I could get out. “There was always the window,” I thought. I considered this possible escape when the door sealed me and him inside. “Yes, because if doesn’t kill you, the fall will!” I angrily thought back to myself. Well, that was it. Once again, I had no way out and feared for my life. I could hear his heavy breathing coming closer. I felt a hand slowly pull back the covers. Oh god, anything but this. Please, kick me, punch me, slap me for all I care, just not this! I felt his hand reach out on my shoulder. He started to get in and pulled the covers back over us. That’s when it hit me. The musky smell.

“Cain!” I screamed, twirling around instantly and pulled him into an embrace, hiding my face.

“Morning to you too, Bells. Miss me?” He joked, hugging me tighter. “What’s up with grumpy downstairs? He just took off this morning. Said he needed air. You been winding him up?” He accused. “If only.” I thought.

“Wait. This morning? What time is it?” How long exactly had I slept in until?

“12:00pm. Why?”

“Crap!” I leaped out of bed, wondering about the sudden shooting pain in my side, and grabbed what I could find, keeping my back to him. “I forgot! I have to meet Alice at 1:00pm round hers. We’re going shopping.” I sighed. I loved Alice like an older sister, but at time, I hated her! Her and her shopping ways.

“You wanna lift round?” He asked as I ran into the bathroom.

“Please!” I called as I ran in and shut the door behind me. My reflection. The items in my hands just fell out as I took in the full seriousness of my attack. Nearly the entire left side of my face was a brutal balcky purple colour. My eye was the worst, with a minor cut to my eyebrow. My lip was swollen and also had a cut, right in the corner. I started to think of what other injuries I would have obtained from last night and the thought I had just had came springing back. The shooting pain in my side. I slowly, not sure what I expected to see, lifted up my slightly baggy night top, revealing my pain, pale skin, covered in bright red and purple splots. It looked like I had been paintballing to be honest. Sparkling new aqua tears fled from my eyes. I wiped them away and tore myself away from my reflection. After my cold shower, I started to get dressed. “I need a new bra.” I thought to myself as I pulled the straps of my less attractive grey and pink leopard bra and matching briefs. I was again sucked into looking at my reflection, my new injuries. He must have been there a while because his voice started to sound irritant.