Dark mansion 2

escape my pain 3

I do not need you4

bend my reality5

I do not need you6

get through my day7

I do not need you8

keep me awake9

fear10

11

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Angie’s eyes flickered as she woke, trying to adjust to the darkness. For a few moments she didn’t know where she was. The light from outside the window slithered in, allowing her to focus on her surroundings. Slowly she remembered where she was and what she had done.13

Reaching to her side she felt her son’s arm, then knowing he was there heard his rhythmic breathing. Her heart was breaking for what he would go through in the next few days. Asking questions she could and would not answer. Would he ever trust her again? This she didn’t know but the risk of that was better than the reality they left behind.14

Angie swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sat up. Head hanging down she took several deep breaths then stood up. Her legs still hurt from the beating. The hospital stay had been brief, this last time. He came and checked her out, convincing yet another doctor that she was just clumsy. Doctors only see what they wish. She knew, she would never have to worry about that again.15

Standing she began walking to the bathroom. Her toe caught the book she was reading earlier and she picked it up. Then the thought occurred to her, how did the light get switched off? Had she been that tired?16

The journey they took had stretched on for days. Angie only stopped to get gas, and eat. Her son had been so good. He never asked questions, just followed her orders and occasionally told her he loved her.17

She heard about this place from a friend of a friend who’s sister had stayed for a while. It was by invitation only, and the invite had to come from someone who had been there. The reasons were many, and the mistakes few. You only came, when it was your last resort.18

Book in hand she shuffled down the hall, and into the library. She returned the book to its shelf then sat in the big overstuffed leather couch. She closed her eyes and listened to the stillness that surrounded her. The fireplace crackled even now in the middle of the summer. The old stone mansion was cold and damp at night. 19

The vision started as it always has, flickering like an old black and white movie in her mind. He was coming at her, pointing fingers, yelling accusations, reaching out. She felt herself cowering away, trying to make herself small enough that he wouldn’t see her. He backed her into a corner and she fell down. 20

Out of the corner of her vision, she sees him, coming in from the side with something in his hand. While her husband is bent down over her, hitting her face, ripping her clothes, he hits his father over the head. Her husband passed out. That is the last thing she remembers until a roadside cafeé and a cup of coffee.21