1. New Beginning.

          I never said a word, not one thing when I noticed him repeatedly coming home late from work. I kept my suspicions to myself, as I gathered evidence. I had even decided to start having my own bank account, protecting my own finances from him. I have no doubt when I try to leave that he will siphon every last cent from our joint account. He is known to be cruel when even mildly inconvenienced.

          It's tough, you know? Giving your all to someone and then it isn't enough. I was a fool for him since day one. A shy, nerdy girl like me could only have dreamed to catch the eye of a man his caliber. Chiseled jaw, flawless skin, perfect hair, great sense of style, athletic, a few years older and already working a nice job. I hate myself for how easily I relented to him. Looking back all the signs were there, but apparently I couldn't read them.

          I took off work today and loaded my things while he was away. He hasn't even noticed that I've pulled away, hurting me even more. I tidy the house for a final time, dabbing my eyes and going to the guest bathroom for Visine. I grip the countertop and think about all the bad. Spotting him on his lunch making out with his coworker. The texts. The calls. The domestic abuse I've suffered the past few months while I have planned my leave. I need this anger to keep me focused. As devastated as I've been and disappointed with him, the love still remains. It's unfair how the heart works. Even when they stop loving you, when you mentally break away, the heart still yearns for what it had. Breathe. Breathe and focus. We confront him soon, stay strong.

          I sit on the sofa watching tv and wringing my sweaty hands off on my sweats as he enters the house. He's late. He's always late. I spot a missing button at the top of his shirt. I can tell by his eyes that he noticed the bags in my car out front, and the nervous state I am in.

         "Alina, care to explain what's going on here?" I rub my hands on my pants, over the pocket where my car keys reside.

          "I-I need to talk to you about Sam."

          "What about her?" He blurts, uncomfortable.

           "I...I know you've been fooling with her. I've seen you two together. You've been violent with me since you've had her. You've withdrawn emotionally and I think it's best for all of us if I leave."

          "No." I am stunned as i stare at him in stupor.

           "I'm not asking. I'm stating. I'm leaving." He laughs and draws closer.

            "No, you aren't. I'm getting your shit out of that car and you are going to sit down and listen to me."

            "I already know! I've been watching for months. We can't salvage this. You are too aggressive too! You've been nothing but abusive. Yes abusive. When I threaten to go you promise to stop and do better by me, but you don't. You can't. If you were happy bv with me, Sam wouldn't be in the picture. I've heard you promise to be official, this is what you want too. I don't want anything, only what's mine-"

           "Fuck off! Shut up with your goddamn conspiracies and shit and sit your ass down. I'm going to get your clothes." I try to stand, but he shoves me back onto the couch.

           "It's not a conspiracy. I can't-" The small end table is li launched at me. I scream as it splinters. Remotes, wall hangings, his own cellphone and the ebd table leg fly as he systematically destroys the livingroom.

            "Stop! Stop!" I beg. He kicks a hole in the back of the door as he opens it to step out. Our dog runs in having heard the fighting and stands between us. "Creature! Creature sit. Stop. Get out!" I plead with the dog to try to talk him down. I gently stand, approaching the dog to try to control him. Dallas kicks him under his legs and I cry out as I hear a crack. Without even thinking I grab Creature and run past Dalls to the door.

          I'm shaking as I open the car door and jump in with Creature in my lap. I can hardly get the doors locked in time or feign enough coordination to turn the engine. I back out as Dallas chases my front end, cursing and threatening in the beams of the headlights.

          I hold my breath until I'm outsode the city, heading towards my hometown. I plug my cellphone into the car charger and cry as I continue to drive. I couldn't risk telling anyone, so I have no place to go. I've got an I hired dog to boot. Few hotels will let me bring a dog. I don't pull off until I find an after hours vet clinic. I park sideways in the lot and I run into the building with my massive mix breed in my arms.

         I tremble in the lobby, I am the only client here. Creature was put under anesthesia and he currently receiving scans. The news makes me even more unhinged, so I scroll my phone through social media. Only to instantly find Dallas and Sam updated themselves to in a relationship. That quickly, huh? The sofa is probably still warm from my ass. I ignorant read comments, only to be disgusted at how many of our family and friends congratulate them. None even asking about or mentioning me. They must have known the entire time. I shut the sp and grab a magazine.

         "Creature is ready to see his mommy. Miss Alina, can you please come to the back?"

          I run past the doors into the room they had assigned him. He lays with his tongue out on the exam table.

          "You want the good news for bad?" I gulp.

          "Both." I grab Creature's paw.

           "Good news, one cracked rib but everything else is fine. Bad news is, that he might be the ugliest dog I've ever seen." The old vet laughs. I pretend to plug Creature's ears. He is a very strange dog. A neighbor once called us to tell us a coyote was in our yard, it was creature. A child at the park once called him a hyena.

           "Regarding your story, I assume you are separating from the monster who hurt this boy?" I quickly nod.

           "Yes. I'm actually trying to find a place to stay where Creature is welcome."

           "I was hoping you'd say that. My sister owns a tiny bed and breakfast downtown. Few customers, cheap rates. I'll call her and tell her your situation. She's a lover of the four legged kind, she'll gladly let him stay." I smile a genuine smile and hug the man. We pay and checkout, bringing up GPS to find the little place we'll reside for the next few weeks.