Chapter One

Luna’s POV

Walking to my car I sighed looking at my watch, realising once again I’ve worked over my hours due to being short staffed. Why did I think it was a good idea to become a nurse.

29 year old Luna has always had a caring nature and found helping people gave her satisfaction, however lately she has become tired and lost all her passion for being a nurse.  Her social life is non-existent, her days are filled with working and her relationship with her partner Ethan, well toxic would be the perfect word for that.

Driving home I knew what would be instore for me once I walk through the door, I parked up in the driveway which was always well lit. My home was not the biggest on the street but it was elegant with a beautiful lawn and well-presented rose bushes set out bordering the lawn, Roses have always been my favourite flowers.

 I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat and got out of the car, I quietly unlocked the door silently praying Ethan was asleep. The house was in darkness as I entered, slowly closing the door behind me and thinking my prays have been answered. I slipped off my shoes in the hallway then walked to the kitchen quietly, I knew Ethan hated being woken up every time I get in late from work.

He would often become verbally aggressive, shouting nasty remarks and calling me selfish, lately it has gotten worse. Two weeks ago after getting in around midnight I quietly made myself a drink and was walking upstairs to go to bed, half way up the stairs I noticed Ethan was stood at the top looking angrier than usual. I continued to walk up the stairs until he told me

“turn the fuck around you’re not sleeping up here, you can sleep with the dog”.

I stopped 3 steps from the top of the stairs

“don’t be stupid Ethan, I’m tired and want to go to bed”

I continued to walk reaching the top of the stairs but Ethan blocked my path to the bedroom.

“Don’t you ever call me stupid” he shouted as he grabbed me by the throat

“who the fuck do you think you are” he questioned.

“Ethan, you’re hurting me, leave go” I pleaded, but his grip tightened.

I dropped the glass of water and held onto Ethan’s wrists. This only angered him more, Ethan grabbed my hair and dragged me down to the carpet.

“now look what you done you silly bitch, now you can lick it up”

Was he serious right now, why is he treating me like a dog, in-fact no one would even treat their dog this way I thought. I pulled from his grip and tried to run downstairs, only getting a few steps down when I felt it, the kick right to my spine. Suddenly I was tumbling to the bottom of the stairs, hitting my head off the floor so hard I almost passed out from the pain

“and fucking stay down there” Ethan spat as he returned to the bedroom.

He apologised the next day, practically begged for my forgiveness and somehow managed to have me believing that it was all my own fault. After this the abuse continued, he never kicked me down the stairs anymore but he’d slap, kick and spit at me while calling me worse than shit. He would even accuse me of having affairs when I would come home late from work and somehow I would always feel like it was my own fault.

Anyway, as I reached the kitchen I turned on the light noticing a plate on the dining table, Ethan only ever orders takeaway if I’m working, he refuses to cook. I couldn’t see takeaway boxes lying around which was unusual as he never cleans up after himself. As I walked closer I could smell it, dog food. Why on earth was there dog food set out on a plate? I thought and then I felt it, the presence behind me. I slowly turned and was welcomed with the raging face of what appeared to be the devil.

“Ethan” I started but I knew what was coming

“I’m sorry I’m late, we were short staffed ag…”

I didn’t get to finish that sentence as a sharp pain engulfed my left cheek, Ethan’s slaps were getting harder every time. He grabbed my ponytail and dragged me to a chair at the dining table.

“SIT” he shouted, I didn’t dare argue back, not lately as there was always punishment awaiting if I dared to.

“Eat” he said, what the fuck, no way is he serious, this is sick.

“Ethan I am not eating dog food” I said in a shaky voice.

“Fucking eat it or I will force it down your neck” he was serious!

Tears began to roll down my cheeks “n.. no Ethan please” just then he pulled back my head by my ponytail, picked up the plate and slammed the dog food into my face.

“fucking eat it you little slut” he shouted.

I pushed and pushed to get him off me, I managed to push away and stand up from the chair, wiping my face with my shaking hands.

 I could see Ethan stalking towards me still holding the plate, I stepped backwards but I was cornered. He stopped right in front of me and laughed in my face.

“you think you can cheat on me and get away with it, you little slut. Telling me you’re working late when you’re out with someone else”

What is he talking about, I haven’t done this. He is completely paranoid. SMASH! I suddenly felt wet liquid running down my face, Ethan had smashed the plate across my head, I felt like dropping to my knees but something kept me up in that moment. I’m not sure if it was fear, a will to survive or the strength to finally get away. I brought my fist up and punched him across the face then ran as fast as I could up the stairs to the bathroom, I closed the door and was about to lock it when it slammed right into my face. I was met with a punch to my face which knocked me down, the punches kept coming as I curled up like a foetus.

Suddenly the pounding stopped, I didn’t dare to look up and was praying he had left me alone but I could still hear him moving about beside me. Just then I was turned onto my back, barely able to move a muscle I opened my eyes and there he was, the monster stood naked and stripping my lower body. I fought against him.

“Please no” I pleaded but my voice was barely a whisper.

“keep fucking still you little slut” he said as I felt another strike across my face.

“I fucking own you” he continued and then it happened, the moment I realised he wasn’t the man I wanted him to be, the man I thought he could be or even the man he believed to be. The moment I finally realised I was a victim to the hands of a monster, a predator, a rapist.