The start of Artemis.

BEEP... BEEP... BEEP...

I slowly open my eyes to see 6:00 am blinking in my face, sitting up I rub my sore and swollen eyes making my way to the bathroom looking in the mirror it looks like I didnt even sleep, I use to look in the mirror and be in awe, thinking back I remember my bright blue eyes, long beautiful curly blonde hair, and a perfect complextion, luscious lips, long lashes.

I would receive modeling applications on the weekly, but now, I look pale, with sunken cheeks, and bags under my eyes. Not even bothering to brush my hair I put it in a messy bun and get a quick shower, the hot water feels nice I almost want to start singing but reality quickly hits.

I think about my mother, my heart breaks as I remember that just a month ago I had to bury her. FallIing to my knees I just start sobbing, she was the greatest woman in the world! Always smiling and taking care of everyone, everyone except herself that is.

"No that is enough grieving, get your shit together Artemis"

saying to myself

I quickly get out of the shower as I get dressed I noticed all the bruises on my body, the ones on my arms well long sleeves it is and the big one on my left rib cage, well atleast this one is easy to hide, putting on my makeup I notice the three finger prints on my neck..

well I guess I will just say they are hickeys. I go to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, I see the note that reads

"I figured you wouldn't mind walking to work, you could use to loose some weight.. I had to take our roommate Tessa, for a job interview. Also I took you're credit card for lunch and a movie. Love Connor"

Filling with rage, I go outside and run into the woods, he always does this to me, he uses me, he abuses me, he lies and he cheats, I know what they are really doing he is f*cking her. I see a tree and I punch straight through it. I stop and start to panic. Oh no. It's happening again, what is wrong with me? My vision starts to blur, and my blood boils as my bones hurt as if I am breaking them, I start to be able to smell flowers, and apple pie, it calms me I start controlling my breathing and relax..

I start my 30 minute jog to work, I will skip breakfast maybe Connor is right I should shed some weight. 5 minutes to work I wave to sweet Betty Lou the town bakery lady as she puts out her open sign and fresh pies.. I wonder if that's why I smelt apple pie? No that's impossible!!

Finally arriving at work I open up the store, working at a home improvement shop isnt a glorified job but the co workers are great and its close to home. I go back to the office to do some paper work, after a while I hear the desk bell go off. Luckily the office is right behind the desk, as I leave the office I see standing tall a very handsome, young gentleman, I was taken back as we both just made eye contact and held it for a good 10 seconds, I felt my heart skip a beat, my hands got sweaty I just enjoyed the peacefulness, warmth I got from just looking at him. I then felt guilty for even making eye contact with a man, Connor would never approve.

"Hiya. I'm Artemis! How may I assist you today?"

"Well Artie, any chance you could help me pick out new flooring, the dogs keep destroying my hardwood floors."

"Its Artemis, but yes of course, this way please. So this is is our best laminated flooring, totally scratch resistant. What do you think? "

"I think I'm still going to call you Artie, customer is always right! But it looks good I'll need 15'000 sq ft in cherry oak."

"I'm sorry do you mean 1,500 sq ft? Unless you live in a castle you wont need 15,000."

"I meant 15,000 sq ft I live in the Eclipse Manor."

"Oh. Well here I will order everything for you if you wouldn't mind filling this out and we will call you when it all comes in.."

"Yup, no problem. I would also like to pay upfront."

I cant stop thinking how much of an asshole this guy is. He is so full of himself calling me Artie, like F*CK YOU DUDE. I just have to finish ringing him up and then I will be free.

"Alright sir, you are all set have a great day and we will call you when you're order is ready!"

He nods and heads to the door as he opens it about to take a step out he pauses looking back at me, that look! This feeling! What is happening? I just want to be by his side where the warmth is....

" Hey Artie, everything will be ok! Everything will make sense I promise, I'll see you again soon! "

He leaves and I just sit at the desk, what does he mean everything will be ok? He doesnt know me or know anything about me. What ever I have work to do, I sit at the computer doing all my paperwork placing order, and doing inventory. Once I am finished with that it's time to go home, I am honestly dreading it, I dont want to see Connor or Tessa... either way I have to, once home I go inside and it's quite, I go to my room as I open the door I see it... Connor screwing Tessa, he makes eye contact with me but doesnt stop what hes doing, it's like he gets a thrill from it, my blood boils and my vision blurs again without thinking I call him every word in the book and put my fist through the wall, screaming at him

"Get the f**k out of my house, both of you are a disgrace, it's one thing for me to know but it's another thing for me to see it, so get out get out get out!"

He gets off of her and calmly walks over to me..

"Baby, I am sorry it was a mistake I didnt mean to, I love you, you are just stressed out right now, you are letting your demonic demon out please stop..."

As I look into his black cold eyes I realize I was never the demonic one, it was always him I dont know what is wrong with me but it's not demonic, he goes to hug me and I push him off.

"What is wrong with you? No get out of my house!! We are through! "

He quickly grabs me by the neck with his left hand and pins me to the wall with his right hand he punches me in the head repeatedly, I start crying it hurts so bad my attempts to push him off fail I start screaming and he punches me in the stomach 4 or 5 times and then chokes me until I pass out. When I start waking up hes sitting on the floor grinning watching me..

"Now you listen and you listen good Artemis. I am done with your jealous BS, I am done with your fights and I am done with your attitude. Your screaming fit scared Tessa, so you are going to calm down, you are not throwing us out because you WILL NEVER GET RID OF ME AND I AM NEVER LEAVING!"

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