Chapter One
I didn’t know how I managed to get home. My whole body was on fire. Every bone, every joint, screamed so much pain. It was a job lifting my leg to go over the side of the tub. I didn’t even remember turning on the water. All I knew was that the water pouring down on me from the showerhead helped cover up the tears, and wash away the blood. I hugged my knees to my chest, closed my eyes, and asked no one in particular "what did I do to deserve this?"
Everything I did since getting home had been a blur. I wasn’t sure how long I was in the shower, or how I managed to clean up, get out, and get dressed. Only when I started to brush my hair and looked at the mirror did I see the severity of Allen’s rage. I gasped and the brush fell out of my hand. I stared at my battered reflection and fought the tears pooling in my eyes.
My right eye was swollen, almost shut. My left eye had a cut on the side. My upper lip was cut, and the bottom was bruised and swollen. I saw bruises on my cheeks and neck area. I braved turning my already hurting body to check. More bruises on my arms and whatever area of my back I saw. I took a deep, but painful breath. I knew that all this was going to be worse tomorrow.
“Eva! Eva, are you there?!”
I jumped. That was Pippa, my best friend. She sounded worried. And clearly agitated as she continued to yell my name and pound on the door.
“Eva! Open up! Eva!”
I sighed as I walked to the front door. I put my hand on the lock, but I couldn’t unlatch it.
“What is it, Pippa?” I called out, trying to disguise my voice. “It’s really late!”
“Eva! Open the door and let me in,” Pippa replied. She sounded angry now. “Don’t fight with me. I know something happened. Now, open up!”
“I’m really tired, Pippa. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
“You might as well open up, Eva. I’ll sleep out here if I have to.”
I could actually see her doing that. With a defeated sigh, I unlatched the lock and turned the door handle. Good thing I stepped back because Pippa forced herself in. One look at me and she burst into tears.
“Oh my God, Eva!” she cried, her hands on her mouth. “Just look at you! That bastard!”
“Calm d-,”
“No! He is going to pay for this!” S he pulled her cell phone out of her purse and started to dial.
“Who are you calling?” I asked, panicked. “Please don’t call the police!”
“And why the hell not?! Look at you! You’re lucky to be alive, for fuck’s sake!”
“They’re not going to be able to do anything, anyway,” I said, turning to walk to the living room. I turned quickly and ran to the door to lock it. Pippa shook her head at me as she talked.
“Yes, I’d like to report an assault and battery,” she said. “No, not me. My friend. Her ass of a boyfriend beat her up. Again.”
I threw my hands in the air in defeat, went to the living room, painfully sat in the couch, and hugged a throw pillow. I loved Pippa. She meant well. She had been my best friend since we were in the fourth grade. She never approved of Allen, but tolerated him because of me. She especially hated him after the first time he hit me and had begged me to break it off with him. I didn’t. I couldn’t. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. She never understood why. I never told her why.
