-up. Giovanni walks in front of me, his eyes crazed and his fists clenched. Every action is a violent

spits, "You think you can talk to your friend

rink back. The space feels more const

I start, but

e echoes with his voice. The sound seem

hoping he won't bother me. But I'm trapped in t

arrow. His breath smells hot and sour from the whis

ntinues. He reaches out and grabs me by the wrist.

ls in his voice. "Without me, you are no

y ribcage. I want to scream and fight back,

lose control. The horror stops me in m

my ears to ring from the slap. His fury is etche

the room's corner. His remarks, icy a

am awar

m no

here his hand landed on my cheek still burns. The internal pain isn't going away, eve

a razor into my brain. "You believe you will be loved by someon

to defend myself. I should run, shout, and ge

utline of the bruise that is developing on my cheek. This

t here at home. When he's not staring at me, I'm not

woman I've never met, with a smile that never extends past

ral. I feel as though I'm wearing

t him,

focates me as it

run. However, I'm not sure how. I'm not sure whe

onse from the wom

l the quiet become

every day. I act as thou

y visible scars and give the impression that I'm normal. Wh

l a lie,

iet times. The one who believed she could make a

injure you. You don't fe

firm hold on me. I can't say no beca

hat way. I'm less likely to say som

the adjacent room. His rage was constantly brewin

prison

e windows are blocked. He has ensured that. He has e

ponder whether

g the walls. And I'm aware that I can't. Not quite yet. Not with th

leave. However, you can't

ear

that it is n

uired about my well-being. A brief discuss

, however

saw him. His face twisted in a

inst my neck, he said, "

d. I tighten

e ignored me. He reached out

ut. "With whom are

hing. My legs trembled unde

wasn

inish, and I was slammed against the wall

snarled, "You'

est like iron, and

y from him. I was u

le under my palms as

wanted to battle anym

cends over the room. His footstep

I've ever experienc

is broken, and my body is damaged. Although I had previously exper

ay. I am no longe

idea of leav

. I have some clothes packed. N

do I go

exit. I could fall back into hi

pe away my tears, an

is th

go. I

shake as

e, th