A New Way

two | robyn

I felt warm liquid running down my face. It smelt foul. Opening my eyes, regaining my vision, i tried to stop the urine from traveling anywhere else on my body. As i was trying to lift myself up I felt someone grasp my hair already knowing who it was.

"Morning sunshine, go wash your self, you stink." he said calmly. His voice made me shiver. Not looking up nor acknowledging him I turned around and made my way to the bathroom until I was pushed to the ground.

"Look at me when I'm talkin' to you bitch!"

I slowly looked up and stared at him. Wondering how'd he turn so dark and cold.

"Now get the fuck up and go wash up, i am not repeating myself." He spoke sternly as he walked away. I slowly got up from the cold tile floor.

"Now what do you say?" he said as he looked back

"Yes daddy." I instantly wanted to hurl

"Good girl." As I was walking away he gripped my right cheek.

I wanted to strangle him until his eyes rolled towards the back of his head, but I knew that I was too weak for that.

"You know I love you right?"

Deciding not to say another word, i quickly nodded my head.

After a quick shower, i made my way to the living room making note that he wasn't around.

Probably talking to one of his hoes.

I cautiously walked to the front door, slightly turning the knob. Something i always did when he wasn't around, and like always it was locked. Slightly frowning, i walked inside the kitchen, trying to figure out what i was going to prepare. I grabbed the chicken breasts from the freezer, and let it sit in the sink to defrost. As i reached for the upper left cabinet to grab some seasoning, i took a glimpse at his keys as it sat on the counter. I tiptoed out the kitchen and into the middle of the hallway to see if there was any sight of him coming. I walked back to the kitchen and quietly grasped the keys in my palm holding it tightly as if my life depended on it. Literally.

Without hesitation, i fit in the key inside the keyhole. The click of the door made my heart pump and as i turned the knob, i knew then that i was free.

I dropped the keys and ran. The cool breeze hitting my chest. My hair falling from its messy bun landing on my shoulders. Every heart wrenching step ,every terrifying turn made me wonder if I was making the right choice.

My heart beat showed me no sympathy, almost deafening me as I tried to make my sweet escape. The darkness seemed to swallow me, even my shadow looked strange and monstrous.

Feeling my breath begin to hitch, i started walking, making the journey that would finally change my life.

Where was I going to go?

Where was I going to stay?

What was I going to eat?

All these questions popping up in my head. Forming an image. An image of Andre. He was so sweet, loving , caring like everything a woman would want in a man. The thought made me smile.

When he had asked me to come to Bee York with him, i was flabbergasted but then i eventually said yes, leaving my family behind. When i arrived, he'd already had his apartment and a workplace. I found a nearby community college to continue my schooling and found a little side job at a Barnes & Nobles, five minutes from the apartment.

A couple of years later, i noticed his attitude started to change. His temper was unbearable and he would start to control every little aspect of what i was doing. One day, i had came home from school and i was beyond tired so i fell asleep on the couch. He then came home, filled a bowl with hot water and pouring it on my sleeping body and throwing the bowl at my head. He then started to complain about the house not being clean, and no food on the stove.

I then told him enough was enough and started packing my bags to leave. He walked into the room and then grabbed me by the neck threatening me that if i left he was going to kill me. Since that day, nothing had been the same.

With every step I was getting further away from the place I used to call home and I was getting further away from the one I loved. Andre.