I Will Rise

I crawled my way from the kitchen to the bathroom. My eyes are blurry and stinging from the tears and blood. It happened again. He lost his temper and I suffered the consequences. Kage has always had a temper, but lately he seems to be angry a lot. The normal conversation turns to a disagreement that ends with me on the floor and him storming out. Most days the pain is tolerable. Today I thought he would kill me. "Get up Zoe!" I told myself as I tried to find something to help lift me to my feet. My hands found the ledge of the counter and I used all the strength I had in me to pull myself up. I turn on the water and cup it in my hands. I splashed the water on my face trying to get the blood out of my eyes. When I look up in the mirror I am afraid. My eye is swollen shut. My lip is busted. The bruising was already turning very black. I looked like a monster. I opened the cabinet and got out my first aid kit. I knew I couldn't go to the hospital. They would call him again and things would get worse. I got the cleaning solution and washed the wounds. I bandaged the cuts and took an aspirin for the pain. I removed my shirt and checked my body. Bruises covered my abdomen. I was sore all over. I slowly walked to my closet to grab a clean shirt. He would be upset if he came home and I was not cleaned up. I go to the kitchen and begin getting things in order for his dinner. I decided to make his favorite. Steak and potatoes. I hope that it will put him in a better mood. As I am scrubbing the potatoes, I feel arms come around me from behind. "Hey babe, what are you doing?" Kage asks. "Getting your dinner started." "That's good. I am pretty hungry." "Anything for you." He kisses me gently on the neck and walks to the fridge to grab a beer. He walks out of the kitchen leaving me to fix his meal. I breathed a sigh of relief that he was not in the room. I try to calm my nerves by focusing on the task at hand. After plating the food, I walked to the living room and let him know that food was on the table. He sits and begins to cut into his steak. "How bad does it hurt Zoe?" "It only hurts sometimes." "Im sorry babe, I was upset." "I know Kage." "If you would stop arguing with me, I wouldn't have to punish you." "I know, I'm sorry Kage. I will try to do better." "I know you will. Dinner is great. You are improving." "Thank you." "What did you make me for dessert?" "I'm sorry Kage, I didn't have time, but we have ice cream in the freezer." "You want me to eat ice cream? Am I a child?" "No, of course not. I will make you something after we eat." "I think you should do it while I eat, so I don't have to wait too long." "My food will get cold. I am hungry too." Kage raises an eyebrow and stares Zoe down. "So you want to argue after we just talked about that? Do I need to punish you more, Zoe? Did you not learn enough today?" "No, you don't need to do that. I will start it now." "Good Girl. I hate when you make me hurt you." I got up and began to gather the ingredients to make him some brownies. It is quick and I can finish my food while it bakes. I can feel him watching my every move. It is very unnerving, but I try to continue as though he is not there. I mix everything together and begin to pour the batter into a dish when I feel him behind me. I stop breathing when his hand goes into my long hair. He pulls my head back and looks at what is in front of me. "What are you making?" "Brownies." "I want a cake. Make me a cake instead." "Kage please. I already have everything for the brownies done and ready to go into the oven. I can make you a cake tomorrow." Kage pulls my hair hard and asks, "What did I say, you worthless woman?" "Please, stop!" "Apparently you have learned nothing today, Zoe." "No, don't do this, Kage!" "I wouldn't have to if you would do what your told. You never listen. You are stupid. Too stupid to learn. I don't know what more I can do to get you to do what your told. Do I need to beat you every day? Jesus Zoe, Why do you make me hurt you?" "Kage, please let me go." "I think some time in the basement may help. You will have no food, no water, NOTHING until I feel you have learned your place." Kage drags Zoe to the basement door, fighting and crying, and throws her down the stairs. Zoe falls to the bottom and hits her head, rendering her unconscious.