[[[all of your flaws]]] [[[part i]]]

1.

I awoke to bright sunshine streaming in through the torn and dirty curtains, burning my tired eyes. I could see the empty beer cans and cigarette ends covering the floor. My body cried out in pain, yet more bruises added to my collection from the night before. Each morning was the same. Steve was sleeping next to me, probably still out cold from the amount of ketamine and various other drugs he'd taken last night.

I looked upon his aged face, so much older than he actually was, the face I'd fallen in love with four years ago when I was just sixteen years old and I felt nothing but regret. This morning was different. After four years of screaming, shouting, physical and mental abuse, I had finally reached the point where I'd had enough. I couldn't do this anymore.

I crept silently from the cluttered bedroom, leaving the mattress on the floor and taking with me just enough clothes to last a few days, cramming them into a back pack. I didn't even look back as I exited the vile flat that had been my home. My heart was pounding. If he woke up in the next few minutes, there was no way I'd get away. And this time would be the last beating I'd receive, I was sure.

I began to run. I didn't know where I'd go, but I just followed my feet through the empty streets of Leeds. I hadn't planned this. I didn't what I would do now. All I knew was that I had to get away.