Run to You

17

I'm sitting on the floor of Travis's bathroom, my body covered in blood and bruises. Travis stands over me, his fists balled as he grins sadistically down at me.

"I knew you would come crawling back," he says, his voice taunting. "I admit, it took you a little longer than usual, but my little slut will always come back to me." I stare down at the tiles, which are usually a bright white, but are now smeared with red. "You need me, don't you? No matter how hard you try to deny it, you need me." I don't say anything. I just sob.

My tears aren't because of my bruises and cuts. They're because I lost my other half, and this time, I'm never getting him back. I can't. He will never really be mine, and that kills me inside. I'm so lost in my thoughts about Scott I don't even notice Travis bending down until he grabs my jaw, forcing me to tilt my face toward him.

"Never fucking run away again. Understand?" I just stare at him blankly, which he seems to take as confirmation. "Good." And then he's gone. I don't move. I'm too broken. Not just physically, but emotionally. Why was I so stupid? Why did I leave Scott? I never should have let myself do that. Even if I manage to get away from Travis again, there's no way Scott will take me back. Not after I left him for a second time. Hell, I wouldn't take me back if I were him.

When I finally gather the strength to stand up, I have to grip the edge of the sink to keep from collapsing again as a wave of dizziness washes over me.

"Fuck," I mumble, staring at my face in the mirror. The entire left side of my face is black and blue from Travis's fist, and there's a trail of now dried blood from my nose, as well as from a wound on the left side of my head. There's a salty tang in my mouth from where my bottom lip hit my teeth, splitting it open. I look awful. In the past, I would normally take this time to clean up my injuries and then bandage the ones that need it, but instead, I sink back down to the floor as darkness eats away at the edges of my vision.

---

When I wake up, my whole body aches, and there's a sharp pain in my head. I have no idea how long I've been out, and honestly, it doesn't really matter. Inhaling quietly, I struggle to my feet before heading into my room on wobbly legs. Travis is probably out drinking with his buddies or something.

Slowly, I make it to the kitchen, where I get myself a glass of water. My hands tremble so much that drinking it is difficult, but I manage. With a sigh, I rub my temples. I wish I had never let myself get into this relationship with Travis. Everything about it is just so horrible and wrong, but somehow I can never find the strength to leave him for good.

I am weak.

I bend forward slightly, placing my elbows on the counter and then resting my face in my hands. I miss my parents. I miss my friends. I miss Scott. If only I were stronger. Maybe then my life wouldn't be so fucked up. Maybe then I could be happy with Scott. But that's never happening. Travis won't let it.

A/N: I know this chapter is pretty short, but the next one will be better, I promise!