Cracked bones, cracked hearts. Bruises littering flesh, with burns joined at them by their cold, uncaring wrists. A cry of pain, muffled by a hand larger than the mouth.

Why did he stay here? Why did he choose that for himself? God, he didn’t know. He didn’t know how could even manage after all that time. He loved her. He wanted to be like her. He would do anything for her - and she would do anything to him.

He grabbed his suitcase with trembling hands. God, sedatives were unreliable, and yet he had used them anyway. He just had to leave now though, otherwise he would never be able to again. He grabbed his other suitcase, and quietly stepped through the rooms. Their bedroom, the hallway, to the living room and the door held within. There she was, laying on the couch, snoring, yet clearly ready to wake up and scream if she saw him.

He had to pull his head off of her as he slowly reached for the door. He slowly opened the door, it thankfully not managing to creak even once. He slipped through, and shut it with just as much precision as he opened it. He made a man dash to his car, throwing the suitcases in the trunk. He didn’t care how much noise he made now, he was free dammit! He was finally free! He sat in the driver’s seat, his shaking hands just feeling the wheel for a moment. He was really doing this. Really, finally doing this. Damn her. Damn them. Damn her again.

He slowly pulled out of the apartment parking spot, and then out of the lot and onto the road. He was going to somewhere that wouldn’t hurt him. Somewhere that wouldn’t leave him in pain and suffering like she did. He was free. He wasn’t safe, and he never felt as though he would be, but he was free.