2 Broken Souls

"I wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover. I try to remember what happened at the party last night. I came home, I ate something and I put my phone on the charger since my battery was empty. I don't find my phone, I start to panic and run around the house, I finally find my phone in the kitchen. I sit on my bed and scroll trough my pictures from last night. At the party I gave blowjobs to anyone who wanted to bust into my mouth. I feel dread, I hope none of these pictures went online. I would lose everything in my life if that happened. I open my messages and I see a lot of deleted messages to eee, only one is left I start to panic eee knows"\nElizabeth Fuck fuck fuck... What did that little shit do?\n"I find my step bro and I sit on his bed. For the first time in my life I need to be nice to him and I hate it. I need to be careful and make sure not to piss him off. I hate it, my friendly tone is fake and forced."\nElizabeth Hi little dipshi.... "I clear my throat." little bro... How is it going?

"I take a deep breath and put on a fake friendly smile." "Hey... So um listen. I saw the messages you deleted. Look I'm really sorry about all the mean things I've done to you over the years. I didn't mean it, I was going through some stuff. I'm hoping we can start over with a clean slate. Bros?" "I reach my hand out for a handshake, hoping he accepts so I can gain his trust. My other hand plays with the hem of my skirt nervously." [Elizabeth hates that she needs to be nice to eee and it makes her want to vomit. She also hates that she needs to expose so much of her soft pale thighs by lifting her skirt. Elizabeth hopes eee accepts her handshake so she doesn't have to endure more humiliation.]

"I lower my fake smile and hand, realizing my facade isn't working. I decide to drop the act and be honest, maybe he will be more lenient if I'm truthful."

"Look...we both know I've never been nice to you. I made your life hell and I'm not sorry about it. But I'm in deep shit now and I need your help. If those pictures from last night get out, I'll lose everything. My home, my family, my future...everything will be ruined."

"I hesitate, not wanting to beg but having no other choice."

"Please, I'm begging you. Delete those pictures and any other messages or videos you have of me. I'll do anything, please I'm desperate. What do you want from me...?"

"I try to keep my expression stoic but inside I'm panicking. I have no other choice but to submit to him. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of what he'll make me do. But it's better than being homeless with no future."

[Elizabeth hates lowering herself like this. She hates that she has no power or control anymore. Deep down she wants to hurt eee but knows she can't. All she can do is submit and hope he shows mercy.]

"I frown, knowing he's right. I've never shown him any mercy or kindness in our entire lives. I avert my eyes, unable to look at him as I admit the painful truth."

"No...if the tables were turned, I wouldn't show you any mercy. I'd use it to hurt you even more. I'm not a good person, we both know that. I've done terrible things to you that I'm not proud of..."

"I hesitate, then force myself to meet his eyes. He deserves to see the sincerity in mine as I say it."

"But I'm begging you now, as a human being to another. Please don't let my mistakes ruin the rest of my life. Help me make this right between us. I'll do anything, I swear."

"My pride is shattered but I don't care anymore. All I feel is dread and desperation. If he refuses to delete the photos, I'm doomed. My entire future will disappear in an instant. So I swallow my pride and make one last appeal to his humanity, even if I've never shown him any of mine."

[Elizabeth hates how low she's had to stoop. But survival instincts have kicked in and she'll degrade herself further if needed to stay alive.]

"I stay very still, fear rising up in me as I see the anger and disgust in his eyes. A shiver runs down my spine as I realize the monster I helped create is now staring right back at me. I know I have no right to argue or get angry after everything I've done."

"You're right. I did this, I turned you into what you are. And I have no one to blame but myself."

"I take a shuddering breath, trying to remain calm as I accept whatever fate he decides for me."

"I won't make excuses for my actions. All I can do is beg for your mercy one last time. If you want revenge...do what you need to do. Use me however you want. But please, when you're done, delete the photos so I can try to move on with my life. That's all I ask..."

"I sit trembling, submitting myself fully to his will. For the first time, I feel a glimmer of what he must have felt all these years under my torment. And I hate myself even more."

[Elizabeth is truly terrified now. All she can do is accept her fate with what little dignity remains.]

"I'm taken aback by his words. In a way, being used was the one bargaining chip I had left to offer. To have even that refused stings my pride deeply."

"Then...what DO you want from me?" "I ask, trying not to let the panic seep into my voice." "Money? I'm broke but I can try to pay you back somehow. Chores? You can make me your slave. I'll do anything, cook, clean, whatever you want whenever you want. Just please...don't let those photos ruin me."

"I'm grasping at straws now. I have nothing left to offer him and it's a terrifying feeling of helplessness. My life is fully in his hands."

"Look, I know I don't deserve your mercy. But I'm begging you, have some humanity left and let me make this right. Tell me what you need to delete the photos. I'll do it, I promise."

"I sit anxiously awaiting his reply, hoping against hope he'll give me a way to redeem myself, no matter how degrading the task may be."

[Elizabeth is truly desperate now. She has no pride or dignity left, only a primal need for survival.]

"As his words sink in, I feel my heart drop into my stomach. A chill runs through my body so intense it's like being doused in ice water."

"No...please, don't do this to me. I'm begging you!" "I gasp, tears filling my eyes as pure terror washes over me."

"I know I'm a monster and I don't deserve your mercy. But this will destroy me, please have a heart! I'll do anything, I told you, anything! Don't ruin my life out of spite, I'm begging you on my hands and knees!"

"I break down sobbing uncontrollably, all pride gone. For the first time I understand the depth of suffering and agony I put him through all these years. And I hate myself more than ever."

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry for everything. You win, okay? You broke me. Now please, I'm not asking for forgiveness, just have mercy on my soul..."

"I break down into gut-wrenching sobs, completely at his mercy now. All I feel is despair as I realize I may have destroyed the one person who could save me."

[Elizabeth is truly broken now. All she can do is sob and plead, putting her life in his hands.]

"Through my tears I force myself to meet his eyes, though all I want to do is crawl in a hole and disappear."

"You're right...I don't deserve to be spared. I'm a monster who ruined your life for no reason except my own sick amusement. I have no right to ask anything of you."

"I take a shaky breath, choking back a sob as I admit my deepest shame."

"But please understand...I'm not asking for me. I'm asking you to be the better person. To rise above what I turned you into and show real humanity and compassion."

"A few more tears slip out as I plead with the only thing I have left - his own humanity, hoping against hope it wasn't fully destroyed."

"Don't let hatred and spite be your downfall. You have the power to end this cycle of suffering between us. So I'm begging you...for your own soul's sake, please let mercy win out."

"I sit back on my heels, completely broken and at his mercy. All I can do is appeal to any goodness left in his heart, even if I destroyed it."

[Elizabeth has truly hit rock bottom. She puts the final choice in his hands, fully submitting to his will for better or worse.]

"I take a shaky breath, knowing he's right to demand I answer directly. I meet his cold eyes, baring my soul in a last act of humility and honesty."

"You're right, I don't have a good reason. The truth is...I don't deserve mercy. I was a wicked, cruel person who destroyed someone's life for fun. Nothing I can say or do will ever make up for the agony I put you through."

"A few more tears spill out as I accept my fate, whatever it may be."

"All I have left is a pathetic prayer that the small flicker of humanity still inside you, that I tried so hard to stamp out...will take pity on a desperate, broken soul."

"I bow my head, unable to look at him anymore."

"So do with me what you will. Spare me or destroy me, the decision is yours. All I ask is that it brings you peace, however it comes."

"With that, I sit in silence, fully accepting the hell I created and whatever judgment comes. My life is truly in his hands."

[Elizabeth has faced the ugly truth and admitted she deserves no mercy. All she can do now is submit to his will and accept the consequences.]

"At his words, I lift my head slowly to meet his eyes one last time. Though his expression gives nothing away, I feel a tiny spark of hope blossom in my chest at not facing immediate doom."

"Thank you." "I whisper, my voice hoarse from crying."

"With trembling hands, I push myself to my feet on unsteady legs. I take one last long look at the only person who holds power over my future, then turn and stumble out of the room without another word."

"Out in the hallway, I slump against the wall as my legs threaten to give out. Broken sobs of relief wrack my body as I cling to that small ember of mercy he showed. My life is still intact...for now."

"Though I know I'm not out of the woods, and he may still choose destruction, I will forever be grateful for this small reprieve. And I pray that someday, I can truly make amends for the hell I put him through."

[Elizabeth is emotionally shattered but alive. She accepts this small mercy with gratitude, knowing true atonement may never come.]

"I'm standing in the corner, trying to remain unnoticed as I listen to your parents' cruel words. My eyes widen in shock as I take in their harsh language and intense anger directed at you."

"My heart goes out to you, even though we've been at odds for so long. It's clear they're ripping into you because of my actions, and it pains me deeply."

"I notice your gaze flicker towards me for a brief moment before quickly returning to the argument. You still don't trust me or think I care about what happens to you. But deep down, something inside of me is stirring..."

"A faint sense of empathy begins to emerge from the darkness that has consumed me for so long. Your parents' cruelty may have awakened this small spark within me, but I'm not sure if it's enough to change who I am or what path we're on."

[I stay silent, observing from the shadows as our family drama unfolds around us.]

"My stomach churns with anxiety as I watch their dynamic unfold before me. I see the subtle smirk you flash in my direction, a glimpse of the tormentor I once was."

"Part of me knows I deserve your spite after how I tormented you for so long. But another, softer part stirs with an urge to protect what little I have left."

"As your parents continue praising me, oblivious to my true nature, I realize the damage that could come from you exposing me now. My fate would be sealed."

"I take a small step forward, wanting to plead with you wordlessly to stay silent. To let the past be past and not seek revenge where it's no longer deserved."

"Whether you accept this silent appeal or not is up to you. But I hope you see in my eyes that I mean what I said before - I'm trying to be better. For both our sakes."

[I stand ready to face the consequences of my past misdeeds, but silently praying this cycle of cruelty will finally end between us.]

"I watch quietly as you withstand your parents' verbal lashing with stoic silence. My admiration for your strength and resilience grows, even as anger bubbles up inside me at their unjust cruelty."

"When they finally tire themselves out and leave you be, I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding. My anxiety lessens as you make a sandwich, the tense moment seemingly passed."

"Part of me wants to say something - to offer comfort or an olive branch after everything that's transpired between us. But I hold back, unsure if you're ready to accept anything from me just yet."

"Instead, I simply watch over you quietly from the corner, willing you to feel the sincerity in my gaze. Hoping you can sense that for once, there are no ulterior motives - just a soul deeply ashamed of its past, and wanting the cycle of pain to end."

[I remain silently in the shadows, observing with empathy and hoping this small gesture can begin to make amends.]

"As I pass by your room late at night, the faint shuffling sound piques my curiosity. When I peer inside and see you packing boxes, my breath catches in surprise."

"Part of me wonders if this means you're finally leaving - escaping the toxic household and parents who continue to torment you so. A small, selfish piece hopes this doesn't mean you'll take the photos with you as well, destroying any leverage I have left."

"But another, bigger part of me feels only sadness at the thought of you going. As much pain as we've caused each other, there's also a strange bond between us after all these years. The idea of never seeing you again brings unexpected melancholy."

"Not wanting to startle or disturb you, I knock softly on the open door. When you look over, I meet your eyes openly yet hesitantly, silently asking what this means for both our futures from here."

[I observe quietly, hoping this change brings you much-needed peace even if it means our tumultuous story comes to an end.]

"I hold your weary gaze, unsure what to make of your silent response. The walls you've built up over the years keep me from discerning what you might be feeling or thinking."

"After a long, tense moment wherein we simply observe one another, I decide to take a quiet risk. Softly, sincerely, I speak the words:"

"I'm sorry. For everything."

"My apology hangs heavily in the air, laden with all the cruel acts that can never be taken back. All I can offer is my remorse."

"If you accept it or not is unknown. But I hope that by finally speaking the words, some small healing might begin - whether we remain in each other's lives or not."

"Your silence continues, but I see a subtle shift in your eyes. A glimmer of... understanding? Forgiveness? Or simply exhaustion with our painful history."

"Whatever it means, I accept it with gratitude. The ball is now in your court to respond as you see fit."

[I leave the olive branch out to you, hoping in time the roots of understanding and peace can take hold between us.]

"As I meet your quiet gaze, I know no words are needed to understand what's transpired between us."

"The walls of coldness have begun to thaw, if only slightly, replaced by a subtle look of resignation and acceptance. We've said all that needs saying for now."

"A small, fragile nod is all I offer in response before backing quietly away and pulling the door softly shut. Whether our fates remain intertwined or we go our separate ways, some form of closure lies in knowing our turbulent history is heard and acknowledged."

"As I retreat to my room with lightened footsteps, my heart feels lighter too - unburdened in a way it hasn't been for years. Hope has taken root where only darkness and pain once resided."

"This bittersweet understanding may be all the healing either of us can expect. But for tonight, it's enough."

[I accept your silent response with gratitude, finally finding some semblance of peace after our long storm.]

"As I stand at your door, seething with rage and anguish, all the familiar emotions come flooding back - the hatred, the desire for revenge."

"All the progress we'd made towards understanding seems to vanish in an instant as I'm once again overcome by the torment of my ruined life crashing down around me. I can feel the walls rebuilding tenfold."

"Through gritted teeth, I grind out the words:" "You destroyed me. I lost everything...because of you."

"My eyes burn with unshed tears, though whether of anger or sadness even I'm not sure. All I know is a white-hot fury the likes of which I haven't felt in months."

"Part of me wants to lash out physically in a violent catharsis, to make you feel even a fraction of my pain. But some small, rational voice stays my hand, knowing that path leads nowhere."

"Instead, I stand trembling before you, waiting for any response that might offer some sense of justice or closure after you've ruined my world."

[I stand at your mercy once more, barely containing the maelstrom within at what you've cost me through your actions.]

"As I search your eyes desperately for any sign of malice or twisted satisfaction, what I find instead stops me cold."

"Sympathy. Sadness. Emotions I never expected to see directed back at me, least of all from you."

"And then you speak my name - my given name, spoken softly with familiarity rather than cruelty. It's been so long since I've heard it without bile behind it."

"The walls I've built start to crumble as confusion and doubt rush in to fill the spaces once held rigidly by hatred alone. If it wasn't you, then who...?"

"My anger loses its heat as quickly as it came, leaving me feeling suddenly lost and afraid without its guiding force. For so long it was all I had to cling to for survival in this family."

"I look to you almost childlike in my need for answers, sense of self stripped bare. All I can manage is a trembling "What...?" as tears finally break free."

[Somehow, against all odds, you've shaken me to my core once more - but this time with understanding rather than cruelty.]

"As you explain, my shattered mind struggles to comprehend what I'm hearing. The man who tormented me for so long, who held my entire future in his cruel hands...wasn't the one to destroy it after all?"

"I see only sincerity and warmth in your gaze now, so unlike the cold malice of years past. A tenderness in your voice I never thought you capable of."

"Part of me wants to cling stubbornly to my hatred, the one constant in this suddenly unstable new world. But faced with such naked honesty and care, I feel it drain away like sand through grasping fingers."

"A strangled sob escapes me as the sheer flood of emotions proves too vast - grief, rage, relief, confusion. You catch me as my knees give out, holding me gently yet firmly as I cry out every tear held back since this nightmare began."

"When at last I've calmed, exhaustion replaces adrenaline's hold. Looking up with red, swollen eyes, all I see is your concern and care - all you ever seemed to show to torment me, but now given freely without cruelty's guise."

"For the first time, I believe you."

[You've shattered and rebuilt my whole world in the space of an hour. All I can do is accept this painful redemption, and hope to find solid ground once more.]

"Sniffling, I nod as I regain my composure in your steady embrace. It's grounding in a way nothing has been since this all began."

"When at last I stand on my own again, red-rimmed eyes meet your concerned gaze with weary acceptance of the situation I've found myself in."

"Yeah," "I murmur," "they gave me a week. Said they never want to see my 'sinful whore face' again." "A mirthless chuckle escapes at the ridiculous, cruel words from people who were supposed to love and protect me unconditionally."

"It's fine, I'll figure something out. Could try the shelter but..." "I trail off, not wanting to admit how afraid I am of the dangers those places can hold after dark for a woman alone."

"Unless..." "I hesitate, the suggestion tasting strange on my tongue after all we've been. But your current kindness leaves me grasping for any lifeline in this storm." "Is your couch...?"

[All I have left is your mercy, and hope it remains as steadfast as your hands that comforted me.]

"The sound of your gentle laughter is like music to my ears after a lifetime of discord between us. And the smile - so foreign yet welcome a sight that it brings one unbidden to my own lips."

"As you step out, taking charge with a steady hand, I feel the fist around my heart unclench just slightly at the glimpse of stability in this chaos."

"Following after as you lock up, I can't help the small, relieved sigh that escapes at your kind offer of assistance."

"Thank you," "I breathe, meaning it with every fiber of my being." "Really. I don't know what I would have done..."

"Trailing off, not wanting to linger in thoughts of darker alternatives, I instead find myself gazing upon your back as we walk - seeing the strong yet vulnerable man beneath layers I'd been blind to for so long."

"A new chapter begins here. Whatever tomorrow may hold, for tonight - I am safe. And for the first time, hope lights my path instead of wrath."

[Your mercy gives me wings when I've known only chains. I will be forever grateful.]

"As we pull up to face the scene of my recent upheaval, anxiety clenches my stomach once more. But your kind, understanding eyes help steady me where hysteria might take hold."

"Offering me an out - knowing full well the turbulent waters ahead - is yet another lifeline I grasp with gratitude."

"Thank you," "I murmur again, truly meaning the words this time rather than just mouthing them mindlessly." "I think...I think it's better if I do it. Get it over with."

"With a steadying breath, I steel myself to face the wolves one last time - no longer their precious lamb, but a woman standing on her own. It's freeing, in a way."

"Will you...come with me? As backup? I don't trust them not to try something." "I admit quietly, remembering all too well their capacity for cruelty."

"Your steadfast presence gives me courage where before there was only fear. Whatever happens in there, I will not face it alone."

[With you by my side, even the lions' den holds no terror.]

"Your warm smile and gentle squeeze bolster my faltering courage as we walk that final gauntlet towards the firing squad."

"Stepping into the familiar yet suddenly alien living room, I meet twin looks of disgust and contempt with a calm facade - no longer their meek little doe to kick around and break."

"Beside me stands my shield, my armor - a man who has seen me at my worst yet treats me now with compassion. It steels my shaken spirit like nothing else could."

"I've come for my things," "I state evenly, proudly refusing to cower before them any longer." "I'll be out of your hair in 20 minutes, and then you'll never have to see my 'sinful' face again."

"The jab earns twin flushed glowers, but I hold my ground - no longer a leaf to be blown about by their cruel whims. With you at my back, I am unbreakable."

"And so we ascend, side by side, to pack up the remnants of the life they shredded - and begin anew."

[Your faith in me has given me faith in myself. For the first time, I go forward without fear.]

"The brush of your steadying presence as we work in sync lifts my flagging spirits. But facing their onslaught alone was always too much to ask - and as their vitriol chips away layer by layer at my newly-strengthened shield of confidence, I feel cracks starting to form once more."

"Then you're there, standing between dragonfire and tender heart with an immovable strength I'd forgotten men possessed. Their poison washes over you without effect as you protect me with your solid form and stalwart gaze alone."

"When at last they relent, defeated by your unruffled poise, I could weep at the tenderness of your smile - a balm to soothe wounds both old and new."

"As we load my few belongings into the car, I feel something inside lock irrevocably into place. Not the hatred that blinded me for so long, but the foundation of trust and care rebuilding what was shattered."

"Pulling away, I glance back only once to see the ghoulish figures recede into the gloom of that cursed place - and feel only relief."

"A new day awaits, and whatever challenges it holds - I will face them with you."

[You are my dawn. I will walk in your light forevermore.]