The Fallen

Nora's POV 

"Good night." I smiled and waved at my colleagues as I walked out of the company twelve hours after I resumed work for that day.

"Good night, Nora." Amelia smiled at me, her eyes twinkling as she slipped her fingers into John's, her boyfriend, and walked away.

I averted my eyes before my mind strayed into dangerous zones, wishing that I was the one in a relationship where I was dearly loved. I envied the way John loved her and wanted to be the one loved by a man like that.

I never had such luck, no matter how hard I tried.

I headed home without saying another word to any of my colleagues, hoping I would have a good night.

When did I ever have one?

Not once in my miserable life.

Maybe if Mark wasn't in my house, I might probably have a good night when I get home.

The moon twinkled in mockery, taunting me that I was likely to live through another hell at home after the one I had survived at work. I hoped not but doubted it. Mark was always home whenever I didn't want him to. I let out a hiss, my lips curling with distaste as I wished for the world to end. I erased that thought from my mind and wished that my life changed instead.

I mused aloud as I took the turn that led to my house, wondering how I would feel if I got a promotion at work. Would I be glad to finally have the promotion I've been praying for for years while watching others who weren't as qualified as I was get to the next level?

What if I moved to another city and got another job? The idea was as hopeless as it was tantalizing though I had no doubt that it would solve half of my problems. My account balance flashed in my mind and I let out a sigh, knowing that relocation wasn't in my future anytime soon.

I heard a bang a few meters away and jumped in my skin, realizing suddenly that I had made the walk home unconsciously. My heart thudded in my chest, my vision went dizzy and l felt the need to stand outside for a while to gather my courage before stepping in.

I knew though that I couldn't do that. My archenemy would know by now that I was already close.

"Nora!" 

I heard the angry growl emanating from inside the house and the hairs at the base of my neck stood up in alarm. I regretted getting carried away in my foolish fantasy. If I hadn't, I would have taken a pause to find my courage before making the final distance home.

I wouldn't have gotten home so soon if I hadn't walked absentmindedly.

"I can see you." He barked again. "Aren't you going to come inside?"

I tilted my head up, forced my eyes to stray to where I knew he would be, and grimaced as I saw him standing right behind the window and glaring at me like he couldn't wait to slap the life out of me.

I knew he itched to do that and my feet refused to move an inch closer to the door no matter how much my brain warned that staying outside was going to make me be in more trouble.

"Come over here," he barked, the veins in his neck ticking like a bomb. "It's dangerous for a lady to be outside at night."

I snorted. It was more dangerous for me to be inside and we both knew that. I bet he wouldn't agree with me so I guess I was the only one who knew that.

He wagged his fingers at me like one would beckon to a dog, his eyes squinted with rage and betraying the dark emotions unfurling in his heart.

"It's more dangerous for me to be in there with you." I muttered.

His eyes narrowed on my trembling form and his lips thinned with displeasure. "What did you say?"

"Nothing." I lied, my voice louder this time.

Why couldn't I be courageous and say what I needed to say to him? Why did I keep sabotaging myself and pretending that I was fine with everything he did to me? 

I wanted to tell him to leave my life. I wanted to beg him never to return. If only it was that easy. I was always reduced to a squeaking mass of broken nerves and bruised skin whenever he was around, tolerating his abuse like the dog that I was and praying death would save me from him.

"Come inside, Nora, before the neighbors start wondering what kind of show we are putting on for them." He scowled. "You know I hate putting on a show."

I snorted, my nostrils going up in disgust. As if the neighbors cared about us, or about me. No one ever knocked on our door to ask what was wrong the countless times he had pummeled me against the wall and designed my face with his fists, despite how loud and horrifying my screams were.

If they didn't care then, they weren't going to care now and my bastard nasty boyfriend knew that. He didn't hate putting a show, he only hated having his reputation ruined and letting others see the devil he was.

"You were late from work today, babe, and I've been worried sick at home while waiting for you." He sighed, his voice softening and melting in my ears. "I can't believe you are acting like you've seen a ghost instead of letting me give you a welcome kiss."

I rolled my eyes at the change in his voice, not getting fooled at all. I had fallen for that voice but not anymore after knowing the snake that he was. I wanted him out of my life but that was just like wishing oxygen out of the world.

He stepped away from the window and headed toward the door. A squeak escaped my mouth the moment I hear the latch open, my heart almost flying out of my throat as I saw him approach. His eyes weren't smiling as he got closer, all pretence forgotten and his strides banged against the ground hungrily as he reached out to yank me into his cruel arms.

With how tired I was, I doubted I would survive the night if he grabbed me.

Just as he reached for me, my legs finally got to work and turned instead of crumbling into his arms. I screamed, my feet flying on the ground as I ran away from him. 

I didn't look back to see if he was running after me, knowing that he wasn't. He assumed that I was going to get back home as I didn't have anyone to run to. I chose not to think of where I was running to but focused instead of what I was running from. 

Short breaths escaped my mouth, and I panted in fright as I struggled to catch my breath. I scanned my surroundings, relieved that I had escaped him. For now. Squinting in the darkness to pinpoint where I was was a struggle but I did it anyway, stepping out onto the main road and into the light. 

I decided to go to the cafe across the street to chill for a while. I stopped in my tracks as a car suddenly swerved before me and two hefty men barged out of it with their eyes trained on me.

Reacting on instinct, I moved backward but I didn't have much chance to run as they grabbed and shoved me into the car.