Nothing

To the outdoor world she appears okay Smoke and mirrors played everyday But behind closed doors violence is rife Of a womans brutal down-trodden life. Nothing she says or does is right He's verbally abusive and full of spite He yells "dinner is muck" then hurls it at her, The plate hits her head, now her visions a blur. Tirade of abuse almost most days Followed by "the sorry he loves her" he says Anger and rage spoken and given with fists She cowers and whimpers and never resists. She wears her abusers constant tattoos Bruises of red, yellows and blues. She wears thick make-up as a mask on her face Making sure there's no visible evidence in place. She scrubs the carpet removing the blood stain. Outwardly she smiles and carries on through her pain Yet somehow he manages to convince her to stay Her mind, will and body more broken each day. Nothing but beatings, nothing but shame He leaves her feeling she is to blame. Nothing to live for she takes her own life Just before she took his with the same knife. Contest Name Writing Challenge 'N' Words Sponsor Constance La France 23.03.23