A calm before the storm.

I honestly never understood what it entails until today.

The security has been lax. It wasn't as heavily implemented as it once was because I begged Alec for it to be because it was just a birthday party at the mansion with our closest friends and family. I begged so hard that Alec relented and let me have it my way.

How I regret having done that at this moment.

I didn't think wanting a few moments alone after socializing with a lot of people would come to this. All I wanted was a few minutes to myself. I didn't think coming out to the front garden alone would result to this.

Me in an empty cold and dark room. My hands tied behind my back. A cloth between my teeth that is tied tightly. A heavy and aching body and a broken leg.

It was just a few hours ago that I wore a beautiful brick red jumpsuit, paired with black heels. It was just a few hours ago when I was laughing along with my friends and family as we happily celebrated my birthday. Even Alec was having fun and letting himself go for once.

I didn't, not for once, thought that it would all just result to this.

They came in quick and unexpected.

All I can remember is getting hit at the back of my head and falling on the floor from the pain. I went to shout but my mouth is immediately covered by a cloth which had a funny smell to it before totally passing out and waking up this room.

The first face I saw was of Noah. He stared down at me with a victorious smile. His eyes shining with victory as he suddenly delivers the first punch of the many that followed after suit. After that, he looked so satisfied that he actually smiled and laughed as I squirm in pain on the ground. He didn't let my body rest for a minute as he delivers an unexpected kick to my stomach which made me cough up blood in pain.

"Not so tough now are you?" He said smirking down at me.

I glared at him in so much anger. Not being able to say a word because of the cloth they have tied between my teeth.

He laughs evilly. "Your glaring won't do you any good. Uncle is about to come. I'm sure you'll have more fun with him." He said before he leaned in closer to my ear. "Just like the old times, beautiful." He said, dragging out every letter of the word beautiful in a slow and teasing manner.

My eyes widen, fear started creeping up on me. Just the though of seeing that man again in such a manner has me wanting to crawl up under a bed and hide. I can't, not even with the courage I have right now, face him like I could face up to Noah. Because I know, I've experienced how evil he could be. I don't think anyone can measure up to that.

Noah grins victoriously as he saw the evident fear in my eyes. "That's right. Be afraid." He said before delivering a hard slap to my face.

My vision immediately went blurry as soon as my head hit the cold ground from the impact of Noah's blow.

My eyes immediately scanned the room and found the amusing grin that is plastered on Noah's face. His left hand holding an empty pail, which I could only guess once held the cold water that is now dripping down my body.

I winced as my wounds started aching from the cold water. I didn't help that most of them are too open to even be exposed this way. Groaning in pain, I pulled my body up against the cold wall of the room, looking at Noah.

"You have a visitor." He said in glee as he moved out of my eyesight and was immediately replaced by a frightening huge figure.

My eyes widen as I recognize the familiar orbs staring at me evilly. "Have you missed me, beautiful?" He asked, almost sarcastically as he crouched down to my level.

I cower away in fear, my whole body shaking as his hand reached out to touch me. I pulled my face away from his hand for as far as I could. Until I felt his hand touch my cheek. I felt like my skin is crawling with disgust as he drags his hand down my check, almost like he's touching something very dear to him.

"You're prettier than before. All bruised up and shaking like that." He said, sighing as if he was remembering a fond memory. "How I missed this." Out of nowhere, his hand on my cheek swung with force and slapped me.

"Hmm. I should make you scream like I did before. This time, no one would even dare to find me." He said in confidence. He stood up and walked to where Noah is contently watching with a satisfied smile. "But you see. My nephew caught the same fascination as I had with you. I'm thinking, you'll be my birthday gift to him."

I stayed quiet, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hearing a scream, a whimper or even a cry from me. I'm scared, to the point that I no longer wish to spend another second on this planet if that means being a punching bag for these demons.

"Well, why aren't you screaming yet?" He asked and then delivered a punch to my gut without another word.

I cower in pain, but held my screams to myself. Even if this is the only way I could somehow fight, I would do it this time. I won't be like the person I was last time they got me. Screaming and crying until I was out of breath, until my voice broke.

He frowned in dissatisfaction when nothing came out of my mouth. "I'll just have to break you again, won't I?"

I'm scared. Scared that my nightmares would become reality and this time, they will hunt me down until I die with no escape route.

Grunting, he pulled at my hand along with my body upwards. Barely standing on my feet, he released my hands for a while, only to tie it around the metal post in the room. He smirked at me, looking satisfied with himself.

"Let's put some more blood in there." He said before giving me another punch.

He kept going at it. Punching me anywhere he could, making sure not to let any of my previous injuries heal and even adding more to them. He would laugh hysterically when blood would trickle out of the wounds, as if such thing really excites him.

Noah would butt in every once in a while, his punches directed at my face. He made sure to mess me up, he said. So no one would dare to look at me again.

I don't know how long it went on. The only clear thing in my mind is the thought of wanting it all to end. My body us aching all over the place. I could feel my swollen cheeks and even the blood trickling down my face. Even the smaller wounds beneath my clothes, I could feel them. It was as if everything is intensified.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was the face of Noah, grinning at me.