Page 1 of Marc

Chapter One

STACI

The scariest nightmareis one that continues even after you wake up.

But the worst feeling is knowing you are having a nightmare, and you can’t escape it. The only thing you can do is experience it as you once did in real time.

I pinch myself, hoping the pain brings me out of these horrible moments, but my mind is dead set on replaying the past as if it wants me to hold on to those memories.

My ex-husband’s work boots scrape against the hardwood flooring as he stalks toward me. A snarl comes from his throat as he bares his teeth and narrows his eyes.

Moving to the other side of our small two-person dining table, I hold my hands up in front of my chest as my back presses into the hole-filled wall.

“Stop! Please!” I beg him to turn around and leave me alone.

His large, calloused hand reaches across the tiny table and contacts my already swollen cheek, leaving it red and stinging once again.

Falling over from the impact, I crawl into the corner of the room and press myself into the side of the broken sectional couch, putting as much distance between us that I can.

He slurs his words, giving away his inebriated state. “Shut up, bitch.”

This isn’t the first time he’s come home in the middle of the night drunk and angry, but it is the first time that he’s thrown sentimental things.

Shards of glass litter the kitchen and living room, mixing with the crumbs of drywall that have become a permanent part of the tan carpet.

“You’re drunk. Why don’t you let me help you get into bed?” At his pointed glare, I add, “Or let me cook you dinner.”

“I said shut up, so shut up, bitch.” His tone is harsh, but I’ve gotten used to it over the past several months.

He turns his body towards me, looking more menacing than ever before. His eyes are black and soulless, and he squeezes his hands into tight fists. “What are you smirking at?”

My voice quakes as he slowly stomps towards me. “I-I’m not smirking.”

His steps falter, so I plead once again. “Please, let’s just go to bed.”

The sooner I can get him to sleep, the sooner I can clean up his mess and pretend it never happened.

A twisted smile forms on his face, exposing his crooked canine teeth. “No. I want to stay up and enjoy this a bit longer.”

With nowhere to go, I shrink my body into a tight ball as much as I can as he slowly and with calculated movements makes his way over to me.

My body trembles as fear courses through my veins. I squeeze my eyes shut and pray this doesn’t last too long, just as his fist slams into the side of my head.

“Ah!” I scream as I wake up from my nightmare, immediately running my hands over my face to check for soreness that isn't there.

My heart pounds in the confines of my chest and sweat covers my entire body. Looking around, I let out a shaky breath when I verify I am alone in my bed in my new house.

Sunlight peeks through the sheer blue curtains that are hanging in front of my windows. Even with the blinds closed, I can tell it is already late in the day.

I let out a sigh of relief as I fall back onto my pillows. “I am safe and alone. It was just another nightmare.”

Turning my head towards my end table, I glance at the clock. A giant red 11:17 displays on the screen.

Considering it was almost four when I went to sleep, it’s not that late.

Groaning, I roll out of bed, fix my sheet and cover, and head into the kitchen to make a steaming cup of coffee.

I love how easy it is to just pop in the tiny pre-portioned cup of coffee and set it to my desired eight ounces before tapping the brew button.

---