The Fear of Falling

One

"Get off of me you bitch!" Dylan spat, pushing me against the wall, I slumped on it. I looked at him in fear, crouched in my position, tears rimmed my eyes.

"Dylan, please don't," I begged. I turned my head away from him but he grabbed my face and stared at me coldly. His beautiful green eyes which were once filled with so much affection, were now glowing with anger.

"Don't what?" He yelled. A crease appeared in between his brows as he inhaled deeply. He clenched his jaw, and I held my body for comfort.

I flinched as my tears rolled freely down my face. My lip began to quiver, the pain on the side of my hip started to ache.

"I.. I'm sorry," I said shakily, my only hope was apologizing. My breath hitched once he lifted his fist. He banged it on the wall and I cried even harder at his sudden movements.

"Shut up! Just shut the fuck up!" He turned away in frustration pacing back and forth.

I looked to my right and found my escape. Dylan looked at me then looked at the door.

"Don't do it," he ordered through gritted teeth. An evil smile crept along his face as I made a run for it. He grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragged me back, and threw me on the ground. My head hit the floor so hard that I felt like I would lose conscious.

"You can't outrun me," he said, kneeling down to me. I whimpered feeling my head begin to throb. "Look at you, you're pathetic."

Mustering up my strength, I crawled away from him. My lungs felt heavy as if the air around me was running out.

"Please, I'll do anything," I pleaded. My voice was hoarse and my throat was dry, I didn't even sound like myself. Up until a couple of months ago, it was nearly impossible to find myself in a situation like this.

"Too late for that now," he stated. His footsteps approached me. I reached the couch and leaned on it tiredly.

"Please," I repeated looking at him. He looked at me angrily but then, his face softened. The anger in his eyes were gone as he glanced at me in disbelief at what he's done.

"I'm so sorry Claire," he said quietly. He walked towards me and embraced me. I gasped at his touch and pushed him away. "I don't know what went over me," he apologized caressing my tear stained cheeks. I turned away from him and bit my lip trying to calm myself down. He was always like this, hurting me worse than the time before and then apologizing before the damage could have been worse.

"I'm sorry," he said again, sincerity in his tone. I stayed quiet and watched him as the features in his face saddened. "This won't happen again, I promise." I knew he was lying, but he seemed so sincere, so incredibly sincere that I forgave him. Every time.

He got up and exited through the door. I stayed put on the couch as his foot steps became faint, he left my house in record time. I heard him start his car as he drove away. I let out a breath of relief I had no idea I was holding. There was a lot of things it tried to hold together, I was like a dam holding back water.

I sobbed, the tears began to spill from my eyes. I looked around my empty house. The only sign anyone was here was the sound of my sobs, my parents weren't home which I was thankful for. The pictures of my family seemed to mock me, with their bright smiles and perfect postures.