Dawn Again

Two

Ana could not begin to imagine what to say to this. He had just savagely f****d her with his foot because he had had to look for her in a 5 bedroom apartment, and his bed was not nearby when he had felt like f*****g. Even after spending two years with this cruel, sadistic man, Ana had not expected this. "I will be working from home all day today. We will have lunch together in 3 hours." John ordered, and left her. Ana slid down the wall and sat curled up until the pain receded a little bit. She then got up and walked gingerly to the bathroom, and had a long soaking bath, hoping it would ease the pain between her legs. She also popped a couple of painkillers for comfort.

Ana breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her herbs amongst the other grocery that Maria had brought in. As she had suspected, her pills were gone from the house. Ana started taking her herbs and prayed to god that she would not fall pregnant. She simply could not imagine bringing a child into this monster's home. A week passed by without incident and Ana relaxed a bit. John had decided to work from home again and Ana was on the edge. When Maria came in with the grocery John casually walked out and observed as Ana and Maria put the things away. Ana thanked Maria when she prepared to leave and John said, "Maria. Do you remember what I had told you to do when you started working for me?" Ana's heart stopped beating. John would never ever talk to Maria without a very good reason. Ana knew that his very good reason might well cost her her life. But now the ball was rolling and there was nothing to be done but face whatever was coming. Ana only prayed that Maria did not get caught in the crossfire.

"Yes sir, Mr Quinn. You said to tell Tony if there was anything in the list that did not belong in the grocery." Maria replied. "And did you do that Maria? Did you report to Tony when you saw something different on the list?" Ana knew for certain now that John had found out about her deception. She laid a hand softly on his arm and said, "John, please. I will tell you everything. Maria why don..." Ana did not get to finish because John backhanded her so hard, she flew sideways and crashed into a wall. "Do not dare say another word Ana." he roared. Ana had seen John angry...several times. But not once had he raised his voice. Ana was now sure she did not have long to live. Unsurprisingly the two years that she had spent under John's thumb had left her with an unhealthy temptation of death. "I am so sorry Maria...so sorry..." Ana whispered and earned a vicious kick in the stomach for it.

"I asked you a question, Maria. Answer me." John ordered. All colour had drained from Maria's face and she was trembling so much, it was a miracle she managed to stand on her two feet. "N...no...no sir. Th...there was no....not...nothing in the list that was not grocery...ever. I swear sir... Mr Quinn." "Then why did you go to the specialist food store today?" asked John. "There were a c..c..couple of things on the list th...that are only available there. But they are herbs, sir," replied Maria. "You do not know what they are for?" demanded John. "No sir," answered Maria. John looked at Maria for a few moments and then dismissed her "Get out of here." Ana had been quiet so far and was relieved when Maria finally left the house alive.

Ana was sitting on the floor, her back supported by the wall against which she had crashed when John had hit her. John strode over to her and said, "Get up Ana." His voice was so cold, the menace in it a living, breathing thing. Ana was trembling like a leaf but managed to get up. She no longer had the strength or the desire to hide her terror from John. As ironic as it was, she knew this time only John could save her. She would live if he chose to let her live. If not, this would be her end. John grabbed her by the hair at the nape of her neck and jerked her head up forcing Ana to look him in the eyes. "You did not want my children...so you decided to find an alternative to the pills?" he said harshly. "John, please. No child should have to see his father abuse his mother. We are not ready to raise children yet." Ana said softly. "I will be the judge of that!" roared John and slapped her so hard she was sure her neck would have snapped had he not been holding it. Ana did not remember much after that. Only that at some point John stopped with his fists and took up with his belt instead. She did not remember how she got into bed or when the doctor came to clean her up.

Ana decided to try and get out of bed when Dr Gannon walked in. He had a small bag with him. "Ah! I am glad you are up my child. Things will be a lot easier now." Ana gaped at him. In the beginning, every time he came to patch her up after a beating, she had pleaded with him to help her escape. The man had been like a rock. No mercy, no pity, not a trace of any emotion whatsoever. And now he was talking to her like a long lost uncle! Dr Gannon read the look on her face and said, "No amount of apologies will be enough to absolve me if the sin of not helping you sooner child. But I had to be assured of the success of any attempt to help you escape. Otherwise, I would be dead and then there would be absolutely no one to help you at all. But we have no time to talk. You must come with me." With that Dr Gannon lead her to the door of the apartment and let out a peculiar whistle. The door opened instantly and James stepped in. Ana nearly passed out again...this time with relief. James simply picked her up, nodded to Dr Gannon and took off.

Much later, James told Ana how Dr Gannon had got his number from her phone and the two of them had together planned her rescue. James had disabled all the security cameras in the building for 5 minutes and within that time they had made their escape. James then gave Ana her new life...a new name, a new address for them both and finally a new day and life for Ana as Sophie.