My story- Part 2:
Simon used and abused me in ways I will never discuss openly. The next year, I ran three times. Twice he dragged me back with force, once I believed his pretty words. Over and over this went, for 5 years. Silence is golden...but only for the abusers. They expect and get our silence. They get our loyalty. They take our identity. They take our freedom. They take our self worth. They take our love and stomp it.
Eventually, we die or we escape. There is no real middle ground. The eighth time I had saved money by secretly repairing arcade machines. I had a bigger reason to do so, I was pregnant. I knew pretty early on but hid it til he couldn't force an abortion. I made plans, called Chris and had her ready to help. I hadn't said anything to her until then and she was my star. Too bad she was too far away right then. I didn't anticipate his reaction to my pregnancy fully. He beat me within an inch of my life.
But my little warrior survived. Nothing was gonna stop her from coming to me and bringing light with her! When I came home he ignored me, for a couple days. Then the names started again. I minded myself, kept him happy for months. Then when I was eight months pregnant I pulled my hidden bag out and started to leave. He came home early. Shit! didn't even cover what was going through my head. He warned me I'd be dead if I tried running again and I had no doubt he meant it. I ran for me and my daughter.
He caught me. Dragged me home by my hair and began to beat me. This time, though, I fought back and fought hard. I got away. Then, I heard the shot and felt heat tear through me. I turned to look back and felt another bit of heat hit me in the belly. My baby girl was all I could think of as I collapsed. Next time I was fully awake, I had a beautiful daughter. She had narrowly escaped the full hit of the bullet. She bears a scar on her thigh though. My uterus didn't fair as well. I'll never have another child. He took that from me. But he will never take another piece of me...EVER! I was free, my daughter was free, we were on the road to safety.
<<<TBC>>>