Trapped

a short exerpt from an abusive relationship

She stood with sunken shoulders at the bottom of the stairs.

'How dare you!' He scolded as silent tears caressed her cheeks.

'How fucking dare you!' He advanced as he spoke, punctuating his words with heavy steps and violent gestures.

'After everything I've done!' She backed up a step

'Do you really think anyone else will want you!'

His breath brushed against the skin of her face and she shivered, it was hot and reeked of coffee and cigarettes and with her back now pressed to the wall she couldn't move away.

She turned her head to try to recover some space and spotted a tiny face at the top of the stairs. Shit.

She had stayed for them. Its what she had always told herself, that they deserved a father, even a cheating, lying scumbag, but fuck that. This is no place for children.

'You are fucking horrible.' He spat.

'Noone else would put up with this shit!'

As he bellowed, flecks of spit flew from his forked tongue and landed with impunity on her reddened cheek.

She held her tongue and silently begged the little girl to remain where she was hidden.

Taking a step back, he stared at her with disgust in his watery blue gaze, as if daring her to fight back.

How had she ever looked at this man and seen a husband, a father, a protector?!

She lowered her eyes and waited for him to take his victory. With a scoff and a laugh he turned his back and disappeared out the front door.