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Anastasia Pov

Once it was finally time to go home, I drove back to the hell hole. I started to frown and scrunched my face up in anger and disgust but I remembered that Michael asked me out on a date. A small, very small smile appeared on my face. But that didn't last long. I also remember that my parents are tyrants and that they want to dictate my entire life. "I'm 23 for fuck sake." I muttered. While driving, all that was on my mind was how I was going to actually sneak out the house.

I got a text message from Michael, but I couldn't read it. I knew too much about texting and driving wrecks and I didn't want to join that statistic. Michael kept blowing up my phone so I decided to pull over and read them. They were full of sweet things... Comforting things. Like "Stick in there" and "Things will get better, I promise." I smiled at his tactics, trying to make me forget what my life is. The last text included what time he was going to pick me up. I text him back "I'll see you then." From then I started driving.
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Once I reached home, I scrambled to prepare dinner. I literally kicked off my shoes and threw my phone and pursed. Then, I dashed to the kitchen. I grilled some chicken and made rice with broccoli on the side. I prepared the table and their plates. I decided that I wasn't going to tell them that I have a date with Michael. I figured if I'm going to get beaten for nothing, I might as well do something.

I ran up the stairs, fairly quickly and headed for the shower. It was warm and steamy and oh so relaxing. I thought about the consequences that would go along with what I'm doing but at this very moment, I couldn't care less. Once I got out the shower, I heard the front door slam. Either my mother or father was home and I didn't want to see either or. I sighed and began to dry myself off until... "ANASTASIA, GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE... NOW!" I visibly gulped, knowing it was my father who was home. I quickly put on my under garments and slipped on my robe with my slippers. I slowly walked down the stairs trying to keep my composure, but that faded quickly when I saw my raging father with my phone in his hand.

"Who's Michael?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders and he slapped me... Hard. I winced at the contact made by my fingers and my cheek. "What's your passcode?!" He was practically yelling in my ears by now. I just stared at the screen and he grabbed me by the back of the neck. "Answer me bitch!" My eyes started to tear up but I had to suck it up and I slowly typed in the code. He threw me to the ground fiercely before he began going through my phone. Moments later, he started laughing. It was an evil, torturous chuckle he had going on their. "So Michaels picking you up?" He asked himself. "Well, he'll see what he's in for." He then looked at me and spit on my face. "Get up, you dirty whore!" I scurried to my feet and stood in front of him. He grabbed my face and squeezed it hard. I saw his face turn red and mine was too, but I was the only one with tears in my eyes. He stared at me then let me go. I sighed in relief. He then started to unbuckle his pants. My eyes went wide. In my mind, I repeated "My father wouldn't do this to me, My father wouldn't do this to me!" He had the belt make the popping sound and it scared the hell out of me. Before I knew it, he brought the belt to my thighs. I fell to the ground instantly with him towering over me. He repeatedly whipped me merciless for hours. I knew there were going to be scars tomorrow, I knew I couldn't go on the date, I wasn't even sure if I could go to work tomorrow. He beat me about 4 more times on my face. That stung like a bitch, thank god I had the strength to shut my eyes while he damaged me.

I don't even recall when the beatings stop, I was damn near unconscious. I did black out for a few moments but that had already passed. I was on the floor, heaving, trying to catch my breath. I stared at the blank space in front of me. My vision was going in and out and my eyes couldn't focus. Times like these, I wished I was dead. It would have ended the suffering, the disappointment, the fear that captivated my life. Once my eyes were able to concentrate, it moved to the couch. I saw my phone their and I had to do something. I had to warn Michael not to come, for his and my sake. I prayed in my head hoping he didn't change the password. I attempted to lift my arm but I failed. 5 minutes went by and I made another attempt to simply pull my phone from the couch. Once I did so, I typed in my password hoping he didn't change it. When I got in, an evil smirk appeared on my face. "Stupid bastard" I mumbled. I didn't know where he went but I just wanted to make sure I kept everything to a minimum. As fare as he is concerned, I'm still out... And I wanted to keep it that way.

I made my way to the messaging app and saw that he didn't even say anything to Michael or even delete the conversation. "Coward, a stupid coward at that." I whispered. I opened the conversation and began to type. "Michael, I won't be able to go tonight." Immediately, I saw that he was typing. "Why not?" I sighed and began to type. "I'll tell you tomorrow, I promise." I turned off my phone but got another text from him. "Is it your father?! What did he do to you? Anastasia, I'm coming to get you right now." That last text scared me straight and I texted him back. "No Michael, please don't come here you can't." "Anastasia your in trouble, I need to come and get you." "Please Michael, please don't come." I saw that he read my message, but he didn't reply. I turned off my phone, slipped my phone back where I found it, and began sobbing on the floor.

Michaels Pov

"Fuck!" I yelled while throwing my phone against the wooden door. I wanted to help Anastasia, but she won't let me come and get her. I can't stand the thought that she was constantly living in fear, or that she was constantly being abused by the people who were supposed to love her "forever" and "unconditionally." I sat down on my couch with my head in my hands. I reminisced about the times when my father did the same to my brothers and sisters. After having that little moment to myself, I stood up and looked in the mirror and said this.

"I'm here for you Ana, I'm your protector."