Living through abuse is not an easy feat, but sometimes along a life journey, this painful test of life can reveal character and give the strength to turn the darkness into light.....

The Crawl To Freedom

When he came home that night she was sitting waiting for him and all that he brought with him. He didn't waste any time. Started right in hitting her. Only this time was worse than the others. She thought that this time he was gong to kill her. He had his hands around her throat, was choking her. She  panicked and for the first time started fighting back. He thought she was a joke , said she was ridiculous. She finally collapsed on the floor. He was kicking at her sides like she was dirty laundry. Then, suddenly, he just stopped, went upstairs. She lay on the floor a while longer, her screams silent. She knew that if there was a next time he would kill her with his angry rage and, for the first time, she no longer cared whether or not anyone believed the truth - she finally knew that she would have to leave her marriage. Her soul was dead - had died, long ago, with her pride, but there was something strange happening within her now - something stronger than herself - and it was mysteriously filling her with the  promise that she could survive, that she would be given the strength to be able to walk away and leave the horror behind. She felt the torn pieces of her soul floating, like leaves, up past her head, and she quietly crept her way to freedom.  

Freedom's Path

He picked up his half-full glass and hurled it across the room. She shrieked, throwing her arm up to cover her eyes, jolting backward against the kitchen table. She turned as the glass shattered in the sink, too far away from her to do any damage. He snatched her from behind, one arm around her waist and the other across her chest.. She gasped in shock. She strained away, plucking at his fingers to loosen his grasp. They pivoted, grappling, fumbling, neither one speaking a word. She used her feet to kick back at him, savage stabs that never landed, and then finally one heel connected with his shin. They went staggering against the coffee table, scattering the chess set. Her leg tangled with one of his and she went down hard, taking him with her. They hit, half on the floor, half on the carpet. Her elbow hit something sharp. She squealed. He let go. She got one knee underneath her and started to jump up, but he yanked her back with his hand around her bare foot. She managed to stand - made a dash for the door, batted the screen open, slammed outside. When she looked back he was getting to his feet. They stared at each other through the screen, breathing hard. But he stayed where he was, didn't come any closer. It was over. Finally over. Finished. No more going back. The ripped shoulder of her blouse hung down around her elbow. She felt battered and bruised, but stupidly exhilarated. On the brink of something - a new beginning. She was shivering all over as she made her way along the path to freedom.