You Can't Scare Me, I See You

My wide hazel eyes stared at the stranger in the mirror of the dimly lit bathroom. I knew I was standing there, but no part of me recognized the face I saw looking back at me. My thick, black curls draped down my shoulders in matted, frizzy heaps. Even through the thick mascara smudges surrounding them, I could see the deep purple bruise forming under my swollen left eye. I felt myself trembling and stared down at hands I didn't recognize at all. My hands, once soft and delicate, never once raised in anger and malice; were now missing the skin on their knuckles. A hysterical laugh ripped through my body as I met my face in the mirror again, staring in awe at my swollen nose, still dripping blood. Then I did the craziest thing: I smiled. Not a small curve of the lips bringing comfort to an otherwise horrible situation. No, I smiled, my mouth full of blood-stained teeth from where I bit him, the final blow to escape him. Then the oddest thing happened as I was standing there. I realized I won, I escaped. I may be battered, bruised, and I looked like absolute s**t; but as I stood in the mirror of the gas station bathroom in my ripped dirty nightgown, I realized that I actually did recognize myself. This was the me that was capable of saving herself. The me who practiced magic without fear. The witch, the phoenix who always rose from the ashes, no matter how many times the flames of my own bad decisions incinerated me. Every part of me was exhausted, bloody and sore. I barely survived the fight that brought me here, but here I was. He tried to erase me. HE tried to destroy everything that was special in me. He tried to remove me from my heritage, my magic and my purpose. But here I stood. He wouldn't let me escape so easily next time. HE would find me and finish me. I needed to get stronger. But for tonight, breathing was enough. I pushed my way through the door of the gas station bathroom, feigning confidence as patrons stared at me in horror. I ignored their inquiries as I walked out of the front door and into my new life. I must have looked insane to them, but I didn't care. I didn't have time. I'm sure you are wondering who I am, and how I got here. My name is Marissa Collins, Welcome to the ride.