The Invaluable Treasure

I felt the cigarette burn into my cheekbone vagely, but at this point I was numb. I knew my face was probably completely atrocious with burns, but I guess it doesn't matter anydmore. I'm as good as dead after today. At the thought of tonight being my last, I felt fear bubble up in my throat. My throat tightened as the cigarette was pressed to my neck, and I was suddenly hit with an animalistic need to survive.

My knee came up and met his package in a manner that would hurt for a while, and I blindly tore out of the familiar house.

I stumbled down the street, followed by the cursing and screaming of my stepfather. I pushed myself harder, hearing him in hot pursuit.

I tripped over a crack in the side walk and fell to the concrete. I felt a body slam into me from behind, and I was suddenly facing up, with him sitting on my stomach.

His black eyes were the last thing I saw. The last thing I see before my stepfather pushes the cigarette deep into my left eye.

Pain.