Getting Out

She had no other option than to get out. She lay there in the dark next to her husband. She looked over at him, hearing him breathe. How long had she put up with his verbal abuse? And now it had become physical. She thought their marriage was going just fine, but on one day everything changed. Eric had began screaming at her over nothing....screaming at her like she had done something wrong.
Ashley rolled out of bed quietly and staggered down the hallway, making her way toward the kitchen. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat at the table. She leaned back and closed her eyes.
"You thought you could have coffee without me, didn't you?" Eric came into the kitchen with a small smile on his face. Ashley straightened up. "No, I didn't. Any-way, there's some in the pot."
Eric shook his head and moved behind Ashley and began to massage her shoulders.
Ashley breathed in and got up, out of reach from Eric.
"Eric, stop."
Eric put his hands up and chuckled. "What?" He laughed. Ashley glared at him cooly. "You know what I mean. Eric, you act as if nothing is wrong with us."
Eric folded his arms. "And?"
"You yell at me!" She screamed. "You beat me! Now tell me there's nothing wrong with that."
Eric stepped toward Ashley. "Oh, for crying out loud Ashley!" Eric reached over to grab Ashley's arm but she pulled away.
"Eric, stop it. Please."

She began to storm up the stairs but Eric caught her by the wrist and spun her around, kissing her on the mouth. She tried to free herself but couldn't. Eric then had her pinned down on the stairs, his mouth more ardently on hers. He forced his tongue through her lips but she kicked him in the shin. He moaned and dropped down to the floor.
Ashley ran up the stairs and grabbed clothes from her closet. Finally, she went to their bedroom window and opened it. As she was climbing out, she heard his voice behind her.
"You don't think I'm that easy, do you?"
Ashley turned to see Eric in the doorway.
She was trapped.

Eric gave her a sly smile and spread out his arms. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to show you something." He said softly, walking slowly toward Ashley.
Ashley climbed fully out the window. Her foot slipped and she struggled to keep her balance.
"Baby, I love you. You know that." Eric put his head out the window and reached out his hand.
Ashley put her foot on one of the pipes on the roof, refusing to take Eric's hand.
"Take it." Eric hissed. She didn't. Eric, getting sick and tired of her lack of participation, grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the window. Ashley crashed down on the floor, Eric toppling on her.

Ashley moaned loudly, pain shooting up and down her back. Eric propped himself on top of Ashley and wouldn't budge. Ashley was stuck.
"Eric, stop!" Ashley cried, tears running down her cheek.
"What?" Eric leaned down and kissed her neck, his fingers pressed hard against her shoulders.

She closed her eyes and tried to move again, but it was no use. Eric lifted her up slowly and slipped his hands under her shirt but Ashley pushed him away, got up, and ran down the stairs. Eric suddenly cam up behind her and pushed her to the bottom of the stairs.
Ashley screamed again. Her legs were in pain and she crawled toward the door. Eric took a hold of her and rolled her over.
He squeezed her wrists tight and leaned in to kiss her, but she spat in his face. Eric glared at her. "I tried to be fair to you."
"Fair? Oh, you--"
"Shut up." Eric forced his tongue in her mouth, and Ashley shut her eyes tight, wishing this wasn't happening. His teeth nipped her lip and he finally stopped.

He tried again more forcefully this time but Ashley moved her head back and forth.Eric put her face between his hands and pushed down, making her cheek bones sore.
She cried out again. I'm not going to get out, she thought. She finally gave in, letting him hurt her.
Suddenly, the front door was forced open and voices behind her began shouting.
"Hey!" Ashley opened her eyes finally and police officers were around her. They pulled Eric to his feet and hauled him away.
"We need paramedics in here!" A police officer yelled. He came up to Ashley. "Miss, are you okay?"
Ashley was too much in shock. "How did you find me?"
The officer nodded toward the door. "Your neighbor heard shouting and called 911. Are you okay?" He asked again.
Ashley ignored him. "What about Eric?"
The police officer looked at Ashley. "He'll more than likely be sent to jail."
Ashley only nodded. The police officer escorted her to the door, and they walked out as Ashley was met by the paramedics.
Eric wouldn'y be coming near her any time soon.