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Warning: This chapter does contain content that some may find uncomfortable to read as it some would feel that it verges on sexual abuse. 

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The bright moonlight trickled in through the splintered and smoke-stained slates to settle against my face in a gentle caress as I lay on the worn mattress unable to sleep. I tossed my blankets from me, feeling the weight of the splint on my left hand while I shifted. I turned only to turn again.

The damage that my mother did to the apartment was fixed, but what she had done to me felt irreversible. It was just Tuesday that I told Mason to give me time to figure this all out and now I felt even more conflicted than ever. Leaving was no longer an option. Her words made it clear to me what would happen if I did. Maybe, if I could just save up my money, I could afford to send her to a good rehab facility. 

I let out a long sigh. 

Giving up on sleeping, I rolled out of bed and ambled into the bathroom. The dim lights flickered on, casting dark shadows across my sleep-deprived face. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and for a brief moment, I saw my mother instead of me.

I needed to clear my mind.

I lifted up the band to my shorts to see what underwear I was wearing before letting it collapse back against my stomach. This wouldn't do. Stripping off my clothes, I moved back into the bedroom and shifted through the closet until I found a light pink teddy that was hidden, like everything else in this house, away from my mother.

I stepped into it, pulling it up over my shoulders and letting the pink lace lay against me; the fabric feeling like a second skin. Turning back to the closet, I snagged a short red dress off the hanger in the back and threw that on. The silk glided down my body with ease, hugging my curves, and giving a slight tease of the pink teddy underneath.

I felt good; I looked good, and especially so after squeezing my foot into a pair of black pumps.

Moving back to the bathroom, I threw on some make-up and brushed my hair out until I was satisfied with my appearance. Then I turned my attention to my wrapped hand. I removed the black splint that Noel had bought for me and placed it on the sink. The white gauze was taken off next.

I stared down at the intricate dark thread which wrapped tightly around the raised pink slits. I frowned a bit, which deepened when I attempted to stretch my tendons and felt the stitches pull. Even without the brace, the two-day-old blemishes were noticeable.

Turning the light off and my thoughts coincidingly, I left the restroom and walked out of my apartment without bothering to lock up. I wasn't going far. And if someone did break-in, they could have whatever they were lucky to find.

The discolored carpet softened the noise of my heels, reducing it to a slight tapping as I padded down the hallway towards my destination. Not that being quiet right now mattered much. Even at two in the morning, the complex was bustling with clamor.

I bounded down the steps to the bottom floor and took a right before stopping at the second to the last door. A lopsided Christmas reef still hung around the peephole, fooling anyone into believing that this home was welcoming.

It wasn't.

From behind me, I could hear the cacophonous sounds of an infomercial attempting to sell some cheap knives to its excited audience. The grating noise of the television made my unease grow. My mind started having second thoughts as I stood at his doormat.

But I lifted my hand anyway and knocked.

Thunderous footsteps stirred around in the apartment at the sound, moving closer to the door each second. A low grumble got louder until I could make out what he was saying. "...last time, I do not own a dog!" The door swung open.

Todd's entire demeanor changed at the sight of me standing there.

"Not who I was expecting," he accosted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Apparently," I greeted back.

The platinum blonde boy regarded me; his steel-grey eyes took in my appearance before dipping to my injured hand. A sadistic gleam flashed in his eyes. Unable to move fast enough, Todd reached his hand out and grabbed my wrist harshly. 

"Another gift from mommy?" he questioned lowly, eyeing the hideous tears on my skin. "You even got them stitched up. I'm impressed. Did you do them yourself?"

I jerked my arm free, repulsed by his questions. "Just shut up and fuck me," I growled, not in the mood for his sick games as I pushed past him and entered the room.

Having my back to him was a mistake. In seconds, he crashed his body against mine and lifted me up. I yelped in surprise as he swung me against his kitchen counter, knocking empty take-out boxes and college textbooks off in the process.

Pain radiated through my arms and stomach from the force. "Hey, Fuckface, be careful!" I hissed through my teeth.

I felt his weight press against me, pinning me between him and the granite surface. His breath brushed my ear as he whispered, "Sorry, Princess. Wouldn't want to add any more scars to your perfect little body, now would we?"

Lies. He would absolutely love that.

Chills swept down my spine as I felt his rough thumb stroke an exposed scar on my shoulder. "Tell me how you got this one again."

Everything about Todd was fucked-up and this was the worst part of it. It made me sick to my stomach that he got off on hearing how I got certain scars. I debated not answering him, but I gave in, "Mother threw a fit and pushed me. I fell against a mirror and broke it."

"That must've hurt," he intoned derisively as his hands gripped the top of my dress.

Anger soon flooded me at the sound of the seams ripping apart, exposing the top half of my pink teddy.

"Seriously, Todd? This dress was expens-" my words were cut off by his teeth sinking into my shoulder on top of the scar that he had been playing with. I squealed at the sudden ache.

"I'll buy you a new one," he promised against my skin as his knee forced itself between my legs, spreading them apart.

"Bullshit," I managed to say between the shots of pleasure spiking through me as his leg rubbed against my crotch. "Even if you could, I wouldn't want it."

"Okay, I won't then."

Before I could stop him, he had me tugged away from the counter, and the rest of my dress torn off me and discarded on the floor, leaving me in nothing but my pink teddy and black pumps. I spun around.

"That's better," he decided, staring at my near-naked body. A wistful look overtook him. "All your scars are so beautiful."

That would have been a touching sentiment if it weren't for the fact that he had a fucked-up scar kink.

"You need to seek professional help," I bit back.

His eyes became dangerous. With quick strides, he was on top of me again, shoving me into a corner. A sharp sting radiated through my palm from the impact. 

"You're just as fucked-up as me, Baby Doll."

I stared up at him, frowning. Being told I was on the same level as him, filled me with disgust. I pursed my lips, ready to argue, but I couldn't. He was right. How sane am I for constantly asking a possible psychopath for sex?

Fuck, I was damaged beyond repair.

"Now, Princess, I am going to go get a condom. If you're wanting to stop then now would be the best time. The door is unlocked," he offered nonchalantly.

Todd then left me alone in the kitchen with my thoughts. My gaze sank to the pool of red silk at my feet. The torn dress was ruined. I then looked up at the slightly ajar door. He didn't even bother shutting it before he attacked me.

The beat of my high-heels clicking against the linoleum floor ricocheted through the quiet kitchen only silencing once I had stopped at the door. I pressed my hand against the solid frame and paused. Then without any more thought, I pushed against it until it snapped shut.

"Interesting. I thought you'd leave," came Todd's gravelly voice from behind.

I turned to see him leaning against the wall, watching me closely. Probably having watched me the entire time.

Neither of us moved. We just observed the other.

I shook my head. "I'm not leaving."