Daisy

I pushed my way into the apartment, the warmth hitting my face and tingling against my frosty skin. It was almost Christmas Day, and the weather was definitely showing. I was sure we were due a blanket of snow sometime soon, I was just waiting for it.

I chucked my coat lightly onto the arm of the sofa, kicking my black boots into the corner. My feet ached. I'd decided to use my legs and walk back from my counselling session this week. I know Nate will be frustrated with me, but quite frankly, I don't care. As everyone else keeps informing me, I can't put my life on hold. I can't hide away forever, and so I won't. Despite how terrified I might be inside.

I heard Nates grumble in frustration as his keys jingled outside the apartment. His day had clearly been less pleasant than I expected, and I was now dreading telling him about my ten minute walk alone. If he was already tense, then I was about to cause a storm inside our apartment.

Since I'd acted out, had a major panic attack, and almost left him, he's been extra protective and worried about me. At night I feel him watching me sleep, I feel his hands tighten around my body and, although I love the burning feeling his touch leaves, I can't deny that I don't like those reasons behind him touching me so intensely. If he was grabbing me to turn me on my back, climb on top of me, and devour my whole body, then maybe I'd feel differently. But right now, most of his touches are associated with his concern for me and I'm sick of it.

It's actually been more than five days since the man made love to me, and tonight it wasn't about to hit the sixth. I know what is wrong with him, he's terrified to hurt me, doesn't want me feeling pressured in anyway, and is therefore terrified to go near me. Well enough is enough, I may be severely depressed because of Robert, but that doesn't mean I don't want Nates love. If anything, I need it. Urgently. And tonight I intend to receive it.

I make my way into the bathroom and switch the shower on. I hear his smart shoes click across the kitchen marble, before he shouts, "baby? You home?" I'm not sure if it's because I haven't released any sexual tension for five days, but I'm extra sensitive to the deep grumble of his voice. It sends rhythms of excitement straight to my core, and I sigh as the hot water trickles down my back at the same time.

I decide to leave him hanging, hoping he'll enter the bathroom, see my naked form dripping wet and stalk over to me to give me the best sex yet. I did not force Amanda to also take a Hollywood wax with me for him not to put my beauty to use. I did not go through an hour of pain for nothing.

I turn the shower off, surprised that he hasn't come in, and make my way into the bedroom. It's empty, dark and cold. Where could he be?

Deciding it's time to start my plan, I pull out a black lace lingerie set, complete with black lace-topped stockings. I quickly blow dry my hair, apply makeup and top my look with a ruby red lipstick. My fiancé will touch me tonight.

I giggled at my thoughts, feeling out my element but excited. It's rare I do such seductive things, and before I met Nate, this wasn't even something I could say I'd considered. But I wanted him and I was about to show him how much.

I covered my outfit with my black silk gown, ensuring you could see a good amount of cleavage.

The apartment sounded extremely quiet, but that could be to do with Hopes absence. His parents had offered to have her for a few hours after school, and this time I opted to letting them. It wasn't planned, but now I'm glad I had said yes.

"Nate?" I called, as I made my way into the lounge. It was also dark in here, a shiver sweeping across my body as I looked around for him. It wasn't this dark just? I realised that with the shower on, I couldn't hear whether he had left or not, and by the sounds of it, he had. I sighed in frustration as I sunk down on the sofa beside where my coat was left.

"Men" I grumbled. The man was so infuriating when he wanted to be.

I sat for a while longer, almost falling into a bliss sleep, when I heard the door creaking open. "Finally!" I yelled, jumping up to face him.

I turned swiftly, read to give him a mouthful, when a large, silver item came into contact with my shoulder. I plummeted to the ground, hitting my side and recent scar off the corner of the table. My fight or flight mode instantly kicked in.

This was definitely not Nate, but how could they have possible got in?!

I used my instinct, and quickly dodged another attack. The glass in the centre of the table shattered across the room, flying across my body, but I couldn't let a few shards of glass stop me. I had to get away. I ran straight towards the bedroom, heavy footsteps chasing me.

I could feel my rapid breathing, my cries of pain, as I tried to focus on a plan. I headed towards the bathroom, intending to lock myself in, when the person gripped my hair and yanked me backwards. I screamed, out of pain and fear.

"Let go of me!" I yelled, digging my nails into his thighs. I don't know what made me think it was a man, but I just knew it. In fact, a part of me knew it was Robert. Or at least had something to do with him. But the familiar grip on my hair, the stealthy behaviour, and the scent, gave him away. I always thought he was clever with his attacks, but if I'm honest, this one has definitely not been thought through. Maybe he just knows there's no escape, and wants to make sure he takes me with him this time.

Only I'm not prepared to die yet. He's beat me black and blue for years, controlled my entire life, took my life away, kidnapped me and my child, and even shot me, but there's no way he's going all the way. I won't let him. I'm stronger than that. So as his huge kitchen knife points into my back, and he pushes me aggressively onto the bed, I realise I need a plan. I have to fight back.

He turns me over, his dark brown eyes piercing me as the knife pierces the skin on my thigh. They narrow into slits as he takes me in. I realise then that I'm still dressed up for Nate. I see his intentions change then, I see the lust fill his eyes and his cock grow in his pants. He wants me and if I don't do something, he'll do it.

The fear makes my stomach roll, a sweat building on my body. A familiar sick feeling fills my stomach as he continues his perusal of me.

Think, Daisy! Think!

I take in my surroundings, what he'll do if I swiftly roll to the side and run, and what might happen if I just kick him straight in the balls. Both seem completely mad, the consequences terrifying, but what's more terrifying than a man looking over you with a knife, ready to kill you and possible rape you? Nothing. Nothing is worse than that, so I may as well just fight.

And so I do.

Both my feet raise swiftly, pummelling into his balls with extreme force and I roll to the side. He's bending over, groaning in pain and I use it to my advantage it. I kick him again, pushing him over, but that only seems to aggravate him more. His eyes, simmering with anger, pierce me again. He jumps up on his feet, just as I turn for the bedroom door. But it won't open.

I shake it furiously, twisting the handle but for some reason it won't open. What did he do? Why won't it open? My mind races, and I realise I have to get to the bathroom door immediately; but as I turn he grabs me again and throws me onto the bed.

"Why are you doing this?" I yell, practically spitting in his face, as he holds me down.

"Because you ruined me!" He growls, lowering his face closer to mine.

I try to pull from his grip but he's too tight, and I almost cry out in pain as my arms end up twisted as I fight.

"You're just an evil, pathetic excuse for a man! What you did to me - what you are still doing to me! - is pathetic! Your own daughter doesn't even remember you! And she never will!" I know for a fact I'm fuelling his anger, burning it to another level, but I won't die without him knowing how much of a pathetic excuse of man he has become. "When your dead, no one will care for you! No one will miss you! I never loved you, I never could after everything you put me through, and even if you get away with this, your name and picture is everywhere. Do you think you'll ever find another victim? Another woman to torture? Another child's life to destroy? No! You won't! Because you will forever be lonely and unwanted!"

On my last words, he slams my head into the comforter and I feel his one hand loose my own. It starts climbing under my gown, his nails painfully digging into my thighs - sure to leave a mark in the aftermath.

My mind finally turns to Nate. Where has he gone? Did Robert hurt him? Has he killed him? Is that how he got in? I feel sick rise in my stomach, I'm alone. No one will help me.

So I kick and scream, and rant until hopefully I do enough damage for him to let go. But I know deep down how naive that is. He will never let go.

His hand crashes against my cheek, his knuckles knocking me dizzy. I feel myself slipping away, slowly falling into what I hope is a deep enough sleep to block the pain of whatever he's going to do next. I wish I could say goodbye to Hope and Nate, tell them I love them and that I tried for them.

Bang! The noise hits my ears, and something hits the floor.

My body suddenly feels lighter, Robert is no longer looming over me, my hands are no longer subjected to his tight grip, and I'm no longer being threatened with a knife. My eyelids are heavy, and my head is dizzy, but when I look, there standing above me is Nate. He's got a funny looking ornament in his hands, as his eyes switch from me to Robert lying lifeless on the floor. But I can't move. I'm stuck in fear.

I hear my cries of relief and gratitude before I feel them. Nate rushes over to me, ornament tossed to the side as he cradles me into his arms. His chest is rising at a fast pace, tears are marring his own cheeks, but he's looking at me like he always does. The love never stops swimming through his eyes when they lock with my own. "I'm so sorry baby. I'm so sorry. He took my keys when I went to the car, I'm sorry-"

"It's okay. Don't worry. It's not your fault." He's as hysterical as I am, heartbroken and terrified.

But as I look down at Robert, I know that we're finally free. My heart strangely feels lighter in my chest, my chest less tense and my body more free. He's gone. And he's never coming back.