STILL BREATHING

I grunted in pain as my body spasmed from another blow. I knew this was it. This had to be final straw. I fought for consciousness as I took kick after kick, waiting, pleading to let him get out all of his anger out onto me before he killed me. My body was beginning to bruise from the impact, i could see dark blood on the carpet in front of me and I'm pretty sure I heard a rib crack not too long ago. Finally he stopped and slowly I opened my eyes. My gaze followed from his heavy shoes, up his leg, up his torso, and finally landing on the gaunt face of my once handsome father. His face was murderous, a deadly glint in his eye. He had walked into the darkened house just less than an hour ago, smelling of alcohol and nighttime. He had then raced towards my bedroom, where he hauled me out of bed in my sleepy state and began to hurt me. I then fell to the floor and rolled into the fetal position, tucking my head underneath my arm. My father had continued to kick my stomach and my back, before finally taking one last kick and leaving the room. I watched from the ground, too pained to move as he turned on his heel, slamming the door so hard behind him that the windows shook in their frames. I took in a last, shuddering breath. Then there was blackness.