When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

Hero in the Light, Monster in the Dark

"Let's go," she hissed, grabbing my hand.

I didn't argue. I ran.

We didn't stop until I reached my car. I doubled over, hand on the hood, heart pounding like a war drum.

Ash caught up, breathless. "Why the hell were you sitting with them?"

I stared past her, checking for signs of Marcus. "I-I need to leave."

She grabbed my elbow. "What happened? Myra, talk to me."

I shook her off. I wasn't angry at her. I was terrified.

I slammed my door shut an sat up on the bed looking at the window with my knees close to my chest I wrapped my arms around my knees and was sobbing and shivering in fear waiting for Marcus. I know at any moment he will jump inside from that window and kill me.

The worst thing is I can't even lock the window because he broke the lock. Thrice.

I was trembling and shaking back and forth biting the edge of the sheet I was holding too tightly. Pain of his every punishment returned. I don't want him to whip me with his belt but he will or he will cut my throat this time. I saw the increasing rage in his eyes. He will not forgive me for this.

Stop fearing him and for once fight for yourself Myra. My conscience barked at me to fight back. Like I didn't want to. Like I never tried. I did try. I do want to but he engulf me in himself. Its like when he is close to me I forget to react. Every nerve in my body goes on lockdown mode. He twists and turns my whole life according to his wish.

My hand reached the scar he gave me and my driffted to the day he gave me.

Four years ago

He'd allowed me to go to that party. With a warning: one wrong move, and it would be the last.

It was at Smith's house, our first high school party. Ash and I had gone shopping, giggling like we were normal girls with normal lives.

Ash picked up a mini white dress that complimented her curly hair. I on the other hand chose my dress carefully: a black off-shoulder wrap that hit just above my knees. Modest enough to keep Marcus from getting angry. Stylish enough to not raise questions from Ash. My hair, of course, stayed down.

"Show off your tattoo," Ash teased.

I panicked. "No! I mean... I just like it better this way."

She pouted, but I laughed it off and brushed my hair over one shoulder. Compromise.

The party was already wild when we arrived—music blaring, beer flowing, a hot tub bubbling. Marcus spotted me almost immediately. His gaze traveled slowly down and back up. I held my breath... but he nodded satisfied, and relief flooded into me.

We danced. We laughed. We did shots. That was awesome.

And then I ran into Jonas, my bio partner. Friendly. Awkward. Safe.

"You look beautiful," he said, and I blushed like an idiot. No one said that to me. This was the first time a guy was complementing me.

He asked me to dance. I looked around.

Marcus was gone.

Just one song, I told myself.

We danced—clumsily. It was light. Silly.

And then, when the slow song came on, Jonas pulled me closer.

Too close.

"What are you doing?" I asked nervously. "I am dancing" he said with a flirtatious smile.