Chapter 1 - Another New Beginning

11:00pm and I'm finally off of the road. Looking up at my new home, I took in its' homely exterior. The townhouse had been split into 3 small flats which meant, despite a few cracks, the exterior still kept its family home charm. Whilst juggling a box full of my essentials, I jam the key into the lock and open the door to a stuffy studio flat. I look around and the small kitchen contains a few empty cupboards in a less desirable yellow-ish hue, a cooker that had seen its better years and a sink that could do with a good scrub.

I sighed, "It will do."

Exhaustion hit me and I collapsed onto the bare mattress being carried by a flimsy bed frame.

Thank the lord they left this here, I thought as I drifted off to sleep.

...

"You dirty bitch! You thought I wouldn't find you? You should have played the dumb little slut like you were supposed to."

A kick to my stomach has me gasping for air and praying for the torture to end.

"Do you have ANY idea how much trouble your little investigation has caused?"

A kick in my side feels like my ribs have been crushed. I scream.

"Keep screaming. No one will come and save you. No one cares"

One final blow to my stomach and I feel my underwear fill with liquid.

...

I am shoved back into reality with a sore throat and arms bound around my stomach. I just about make it to the toilet before my insides escape up through my throat. When I make my way over to the sink I see my pale face appear in the mirror above it. Tears cover my sunken cheeks carrying the forgotten makeup from the day before. After washing my face, I look up to the mirror again to check my appearance. My skin looked even paler without the makeup and my eyes as though mascara was still smudged below them. This girl looks nothing like the one from a year ago.

Before I could think anymore, I turned away from the mirror. Time to get ready. Lifting my arm I take a sniff. I grimaced.

First thing in order: a shower.

After I got out of the shower, I got dressed in a simple tee and a pair of black jeans. I check the time: 8:00am. Enough time to put some makeup on and grab something to eat before I go looking for a job.

Once I am finally ready to hit the pavement, it is 8:30 so I decide a peaceful stroll into town would be nice. The charm of the town glows in a way that can't be seen after dark. The pastel colour of the houses could rival any ice-cream parlour display and the front porches would make any self respecting florists' heart melt. The town shone in a happy way that made me wish I could stay here forever.

It lay on the beach front, miles away from anywhere and seemingly secluded from the rest of the world. With no large brand shops, just a handful of small boutiques and a small market serve the town which topped off its idyllic family town persona. Although it didn't have everything you wanted, it certainly had everything you needed.

I had found my way onto the boardwalk by the beach. Looking out at the turquoise-blue water, I dreamed of a carefree life with a family as we splashed about on a summers afternoon. My eyes fluttered closed for a split second as the salty sea breeze flowed through my hair and filled my lungs. I was surrounded in that moment of peace until…thud.

"Oops. Sorry"

"It's okay but you know we usually keep our eyes open when we walk, Princess. It helps us see." A deliciously deep voice jokes.

"I'm not a princess" I mumble as I try to side step my way past him.

He blocks me. "Hey you look like you're new around here. What's your name, Princess?"

Reminder for next time: pick a bigger town.

"Not Princess." I snap back. He chuckles. If I was still like that, I would swoon at the sound of him. With my head still dipped I try to pass him again. Attempt two failed. My heart pick up the pace and my hands start to shake so I ball them up into fists to hide my weakness.

"You're funny. So… where are you off to Princess Mysterious?" This time I ignore him. I try to pass him again but I didn't realise I had been holding my breath.

3, 2, 1 and lights out.

I wake up to a pair of warm blue-green eyes that seemed to match the ocean. For a moment, I begin to soften into them until reality jerks me back to life.

My eyes widen, I feel my heart jackhammer into my ribs and my lungs shrink.

"Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Look I'll take a step back." When he does so, my heart slows to a more manageable pace and my chest loosens, allowing oxygen to make its way into my body.

"I'm Jack, I think I need to take you to the doctor about that pretty little bump on your head."