I Met a Vampire Down in Santa Carla

Prouloge

Laying down in a bed with a man who I couldn't stand. Having only one way out of this fucked up relationship I look over having made sure that he drank more than usual to knock his ass out so that I can leave. I crawl out of bed and I look at the mirrored closet door. My body is covered in burises and tattoos. I hurry to put on my pj pants and a random tee shirt before going down to the car that we shared. Double-take all my stuff in the trunk. My work gear,  one suitcase of clothes and the backpack with any essentials. The year is 2000 and this meant a new century and a new me. I look up at the house where I grew to hate before going into the car and driving the thirty minutes to my friend's house. I tried picking a station on the radio but nothing could calm me. 

I did it I really did it. I was finally getting away from the years of abuse to the only other place I could go. Back to my childhood home in Santa Carla, back to more abuse. Far better than the kind I got here though I could handle being yelled at, hell I could handle being slapped in the face now but not the beatings, not the cheating, not the forced sex not anymore. I pull into the driveway and I knock on the door. I see a very tired Katie still in her nightdress and hair in a ponytail. Shocked seeing me she quickly lets me in. "what happened"

"I can't take it anymore" I finally get a breath of fresh air as the weight of what I'm doing sets in. "this is the last time I'm going to be a toy to that asshole." she sits me down. 

"o-okay but I thought you were leaving in a week not now." 

"he did it again" I sob as the memories of the night flood into my mind. Him getting home late and angry asking if I was cheating on him. That's how I knew he just got back with a fling that dumped him. The yelling, and throwing things then came to the beating and the threats. When he told me to get him a beer. I couldn't take it I made my decision then and there I was going to leave. So I got him his beer with three shots of tequila. After four of them, he was sloshed and handsy. No matter how much I fought he overpowered me and after what felt like hours of him using me he fell asleep and now I'm sitting in the living room of the only person who befriended me and taught me how to do my profession let me have something no one could take. 

If you told me I grow up and be a tattoo artist I'd call you crazy. How I wouldn't believe older me had the balls to go against my stepdad. God how I wish that were true. Only how much of a coward I was going off with a nineteen-year-old at the age of sixteen. Only to go back after being at the end of my rope. 

"well the car is ready" Jacob comes in groaning still tired. I had slowly brought some of my things to their house throughout the week. Katie hugs me and tells me to call once I'm out of New Mexico and again when I'm home. I go out to my most prized possession that I 'sold'. A red 1966 Chevy Impala. I saved up so much for it. when I got it I vowed I'd never get rid of it. Just get it any updates it needs. I get in smiling; I was back with it. From the leather seats with pink fluffy covers on the seat; to the fluffy leopard print steering wheel cover and Betty Boop flooring. I look to see it is almost time for John to wake up. Looking at Katie I wave leaving this all behind me. All that's left is to make my way back to Santa Carla.