• Insomnia had hit me once more and I could not go to sleep. My sensitive ears could pick up my roomate's soft snores as she slept peacefully. I envied her, in many ways. But I will not let her know this, she depends on me, like all the others do. i sat by the window of my room, watching, waiting.
    Joel's loud, obnoxious snores died down a while ago, and now I watch him get into his old ford pick up truck. I studied the peeling red paint and the rust stains as the man slowly pulls out of the drive way and off to work. Vaguely, I wonder if he's still a drunken mess. Hopefully not, he's a menace enough.
    Once the vehicle rumbled noisily away, I quickly and silently picked out a random outfit from the large pile in the corner of the room and stalked across teh hall to the bathroom. I turned on teh light and my reflection catches my eye. I beheld a girl, who'se skin was deathly pale and her face sullen. Dark circles were under the girl's eyes, which were a brilliant green. i then took notice of the messy, black hair and the slightly red tints that seemed to be there.
    I quickly undressed, turned on the shower, and stepped in. first thing was first, there was blood in my hair that needed to be rinsed out. I let the lukewarm water run over my head for only a minute before I notised that the water was filling the tub. Almost panicked, I drained the half inch, crimson puddle. I had been afraid of water for a few years now.
    Quickly rinsing off, there was no shampoo or soap in the bathroom, I got out and dried off. Again, I noticed my reflection. My pale skin perfectly displayed yellow, greenish, and purple bruises as well as multiple scarrs that encopassed my arms, chest, and the rest of my body. Except my face. He was smart enough to only hurt me where I could hide it.
    I grimmanced at myself, only for the ugliness of humankind that I portrayed. The reason I put up with the man was, in my opinion, a just one.
    "Pwease hurwy," I hear a small voice outside the door. I quickly dressed, calling out a soft "one minute" before I opened the door. A lttle girl, still in her p.j.s, stood there, wiping the sleep from her pale blue eyes. She smiled at me, unaware of my secret.
    After exchanging "good morning"s, I headed back to my room. My roomate had just woken up and was getting dressed. Her perfect, olive colored complection had all the other girls jealous. She smiled at me, though I saw the faint glow of sadness. She was only a year younger than me, and believed that i should not take my "punishments" as I do. I sat back down on my bed and retrieved a notebook and pen from the night stand.
    After a while of silence, I glanced at my roomate, who sat on her bed. "What's up Deseret?" I finaly asked. She looked away, causing a long strand of ivory hair to fall into her face. "Is it about yesterday?" No answer. "It is. You know what I'll say about this matter, so please don't waste your breath. It's too precious, and I won't allow wasted breath. You know that."
    "I know," she murmered under her breath. "But I can't help but to be concerned. He could kill you."
    "He wouldn't risk the exposure. Besides, he still has fun with me. I don't think he'd get rid of his plaything that quickly."
    "Quit talking as if this was no big deal Niki. He's cut your arms and legs open how many times? Not only that, but at least three quarters of your ribs are broken, and who knows how many other bones are fractured."
    "I'm fully aware of the bodily harm he's caused, but I won't allow him to hurt the rest of you. That's the only reason I have for continuing like this. I won't let anyone hurt you, Alexis, Gabriel, Samantha, or any of the others. So please, stop worring. It will do you no good." I got up and started again out the door, but paused at the doorway. I didn't look back, but spoke anyway, "It'll take only a couple more years, then I'll be able to get us all into a sanctuary far away from here. We'll start our lives over, and live together happily. Without any fear of harm."
    I walked back into the hall, and down the stairs. Leaving the house, I looked up to my bedroom window, and caught a glimpse of Deseret watching me. Her deep brown eyes filled to the brim of worry. Still, I continued away.