Broken and rebuilt

>>My POV<<< He shifted his weight as the sound of light snoring filled my ears. My heart was pounding in my chest as loud and fast as a freight train, I swear he would wake at any moment. His arm was draped over my neck as the sickening stench of stale beer and cigarettes clouded around him like a thick winter coat. The smell used to make me dry retch, but after being married to this monster for a year, I had almost become numb to the smell, the lies, the beatings, and the pain. I felt him catch his breath and start to cough – smoker’s cough. It’s almost laughable that no-one in his upper class world knew he smoked. That cough was a giveaway, but he always managed to talk his way out of it – he sure had the gift of the gab. But to those who knew him well, including myself and the countless w****s he frequented – sorry, high-class escorts – the true monster he hid to the world came out in full force. His coughing fit ceased, and he rolled over toward the window. A sliver of moonlight cut across his face like a glowing scar from his forehead down to his jawline, and I couldn’t help thinking how I’d love to trace a knife along that moonbeam and take away his beauty. God knows he’s done worse to me. But I couldn't kill him. Hell I wanted to. And I could easily do it. I kept up with my training even after I was discharged from the military. But he has made it so I couldn't kill the bastard, couldn't even raise a hand in defence when he'd whale on me, drunk and hands flailing. But he never crossed the line. He couldn't kill me either, and he knew if he were to sexually assault me, it wouldn't matter what hell would unleash. I'd kill him.  Knowing now was the best chance I would ever get, I shuffled quietly out of bed and slipped on my ballet flats. Beside them, sticking out from under the bed, sat my favorite slippers, my biggest comfort during this fake marriage. I knew I couldn’t take them, I couldn’t pack anything so as not to arouse suspicion. Waiting beyond the wall, under the canopy of large trees was an old, red Honda Civic, loaded with new clothes, shoes, money, ID, and the hopes of a fresh start. With renewed vigor, I stood slowly, feeling the bed adjust to my departure, and held my breath. I glanced at the monster, daring not make even the slightest sound. Satisfied with the light snoring coming from the mound of blankets in front of me, I quietly tiptoed out the door, down the stairs and across the entranceway. Only once I wrapped my long winter coat around my shivering body and my fingers brushed over the car key in the left pocket that held all my hopes, did I chance a breath. Opening the door, I didn’t even take a final look around the house that had been my prison for so long. Closing the front door without a sound, I instantly felt the wind mixed with snow brushing my face. Huddled into my jacket, I ran down the slippery path, and across the driveway.  In the darkness of the icy driveway, I thought I saw the reflection of a light suddenly flick on from the second floor. With extreme panic, ignoring the snowy blizzard attacking my small body, I ran as fast as ever before. I could see the brick wall, the automatic gate and the guard quarters. But that was not my destination. I turned at the last pine tree and hugged the treeline, now running parallel to the giant wall. My eyes were being pummeled by the snow and wind, but I didn’t care. I knew where I was running to, without needing to see. All my training was paying off now. I knew the snow would quickly hide the footprints I was leaving on the grass, which is why I chose tonight to make my break to freedom.  Up ahead, nestled in a corner of the large estate that has been my prison since last Christmas, was the section of the wall I was looking for. To anyone else, the brick wall looked no different, but I had spent the last few weeks removing the bottom three rows of bricks, and then replacing them, in such a way that no one would notice. I almost allowed myself to feel excitement, when suddenly the floodlights surrounding the grounds came on, and panic surged through me. Sheltered from the lights in this little corner, I knew it wouldn’t be long before his guards came looking. He never liked this part of the garden, as it was well sheltered and the only good entry point for someone to sneak in. The area had cameras, but they were situated at the top of the wall looking out. He had three teams of ex-military guards running 8 hour shifts, 24/7 outside the grounds. Seemingly extreme, but I knew why. I had a secret research division investigating everything about my so called husband. I knew about the illegal gun trafficking. How Smith Industries was legit, but within its subsidiaries swam a mess of shady dealings and death. He was the bringer of death.  Struggling against the pile of snow that had formed in front of the wall, I dragged out each brick and crawled through the small hole I had created. Reaching back through, I reset the bricks and hoped the heavy snow fall covered my escape. Now on the other side of the wall, there was no snow, instead the thick canopy of the large trees. Spying the red car, my heart skipped a beat. I allowed myself a few seconds to breathe, and just as I was about to stand up, my whole body froze. Walking around the car, one on either side, were 2 of my husband's military security guards. Thankfully, they didn’t have their helmets or night vision goggles on, otherwise I was toast. They were highly armed, each holding a submachine gun, with HK MP5’s draped over their left shoulders. Although I couldn’t see them, I knew they also had 2 Walter Q5’s in holsters under their vests, and an assortment of knives in places I didn’t want to think about. In a past life, I could have been one of these private military guards – funny how the world works. I racked my brain for ideas. I knew the men in front of me – not well, but I knew I didn’t want them to die. “Bryan”, I whisper, I think the shorter one’s name is Bryan. We spoke once or twice, he has a wife and a small child, can’t remember if it’s a boy or girl. The taller guy was quite new, I’d only seen him a couple times, but never this close. Something about him was mesmerizing. In the darkness, he almost glowed, like his aura was calling to me. He looked slightly uncomfortable with Bryan, but not so much that someone would notice. I had just became very good at reading people after being tortured by my husband...Shit! My husband! If he did turn that light on, and then turned on the floodlights, surely he knows I’m missing. I’ve got to do something before he calls it in. I take a deep breath and stand up.