"Shut up, Todd." I scream, and cover my head with my arms.
"No, Fae. This is my house. You will do what I tell you!" He shrieks, and throws a vase at me.
"That was mom's vase!" I whimper, and he chucks a lamp at me.
"Todd, stop!"
He pulls out a cigarette and lights it. I shrink back, knowing what comes next.
"Todd, please..." I whisper, just as he pushes the burning paper against my shoulder, next to the other burns and scars from the previous days. I scream, but he holds it against my skin until my skin turns black. Tears stream down my face. I sob quietly, knowing if I am loud he will throw something else.
"Have you learned your lesson?" He asks quietly. I nod feebly. He grabs my shoulder, pushing his thumb into the burn.
"I don't think you have." He grabs my hair and throws me against the wall.
"Now go clean yourself up. Look nice for me. You never make an effort anymore." I sob and walk into the bedroom. I strip down, tossing the red strapless dress I had been wearing to the side. I take the tiara out of my hair, and the silk gloves off. I crawl into the closet, and cry. Cry until I can't cry anymore.
"FAE! WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG!?"
I shudder and grab a long blue gown, one that covers my shoulders. The long sleeves irritate the burn, but I don't care. I deserve the pain, as far as Todd is concerned. I wipe the tears from my face with the corner of a red cardigan, and grab a new pair of gloves from a drawer. I slip my feet into a random pair of high heels. I hate high heels, but Todd loves them.
"Fae! Get out here!" He calls.
"I'm doing my hair, love." I respond, my voice shaking. I tie my long red hair into a bun and pin it down with a flower pin. Todd loves flower pins. I rush from my closet and through the halls as soon as I'm ready. He grabs my neck, digging his nails into my skin.
"Go get a scarf." He whispers into my ear, his breath smelling of smoke.
I open the hall closet a few feet away and grab a scarf, wrapping it around my neck to cover the bruise. He tightens his bow tie and grabs my hand, dragging me towards the front door. The door opens with a creak, and Todd tightens his grip.
"You will behave at this party. No talking to people, and don't move unless I tell you to. Don't eat anything. Don't go to the ladies room without me. Don't make eye contact with anyone." He commands through gritted teeth, pulling me through the door.
I notice a bulge in his pocket. Of course. He brought cocaine.
I follow closely behind him, dragging my feet as we walk towards the car. I always dread car rides. Todd is reckless, and we've been in several accidents. Once, I fractured my arm. Plus... other things happen in the car.
Once we reach the car, he swings the door open and slams me inside. He yells for me to buckle myself in. When I hesitate, he punches me in the shoulder, right where he burned me.
"Buckle your damn self. Now." He commands. I shakily shove the metal into the buckle. He walks to the other side and gracefully sits himself down. Maybe that's why I stay with him. That, and the fact that if I ever tried to leave he'd kill me with his bare hands.
Before he puts the keys into the ignition, he turns towards me. I know what's happening. By this point, I've learned not to scream. He lifts his palm from the wheel and lays it on my thigh.
"Stay still."
With his other hand, he grabs my arm and twists it behind my back, smashing his face into my chest. I feel his hot breath, and I struggle, earning his nails digging into my thigh. I whimper, and he gets up from his seat and sits on my legs. He rubs his crotch against mine, and I scream, unable to hold it back. He- I kid you not- growls.
"What did I tell you about behaving?" He asks me, exasperated. I lay my hand against his face in an attempt to calm him down. He pushes it away from himself, and slaps me in the face. A tear rolls down his face.
"You've ruined the moment, you bitch." He shouts, his thick eyebrows creased in anger. He punches me in the chest. He is hideous to me.
"Be silent throughout the rest of the ride, or I will personally break your neck."
I nod and close my mouth tightly.
When we arrive at the building the party is being hosted in, he pinches my burn.
"Remember what I told you." I nod. He and I walk inside, where we are greeted by tons of people. I keep my head down.
"She's very shy." He tells everyone. I keep my head down.
"Can I use the restroom?" I ask. He nods. We locate the door with the restroom sign, and walk into the men's room. He pushes me into a stall.
"Now go." He commands, locking the stall door behind him. He watches me as I pull down my tights and underwear, and he watches me as I sit down on the bowl.
I urinate quickly, and as soon as I finish I pull my tights back up.
"Wait now. Pull those back down." He says. I oblige.
I scratch the fresh wound on my side as we leave the restroom. A man entering the bathroom sees me and winks. Todd sees this, and grins.
"Not tonight, Tony. You had her last week." He tells the man. The man grins and walks into the bathroom. Todd grabs my neck and pushes me in front of him, then grabs my ass.
"Mine, mine mine." He sings under his breath, not intending for me to hear. "She's alllll mine."
I shudder and continue walking with his hand on my ass.
The rest of the night goes by slowly. When the party's over he grabs me and drags me out to the car.
"Get your ass in." He commands. I comply. He gets into his seat and plugs the key into the ignition. The car roars to life. I sit silently as he speeds along the road, not moving at all.
"You did good tonight." He croons softly. I thank him and turn back to the window, thinking about the man named Tony. Tony did have me last week, yes. Todd shoved me into his arms, and Tony handed him a stack of money. Then, Tony did the same kinds of things Todd does every day.
"Look at me," Todd says. I face him. "I love you." He whispers.
I nod. "Love you too." I choke out.
When we arrive home I immediately take off the dress and put on a long shirt. He does the same, minus the shirt.
"Get in bed." He mutters loud enough for me to hear. I quickly walk to my side of the bed, and he turns the light out.
"Goodnight, Fae."
"Goodnight Todd.."
As I lay in bed, I remember. It's my twenty-fifth birthday.
