Short Stories

One Step Too Far.

I stood in front of the stove cooking our usual Sunday meal. I could smell the delicious chicken cooking and my mouth began watering, I continued stirring the gravy while the radio played in the background. My fiancé sat behind me at the polished oak table, playing on his phone as usual. My phone gently vibrated the table, I turned the heat on the stove down so I could check my phone, when I turned around my fiancé had my phone in his hands with a sour look on his face.

"Whose Dan?" He asked turning his face to look at me. I knew he was going to over react, after all he was the jealous type.

"He's a friend. I've told you about him before." I answered, trying to reassure him. "May I have my phone?" I asked while reaching out to take my phone. He took my hand, looked from me to my phone then back to me, his grip tightened on my hand. I knew he was getting mad, even though he was scaring me I didn't let it show.

"Why is he asking if you want to hang out?" His eyes stayed locked on mine, his anger showing.

"Because he's my friend." I stated the obvious while rolling my eyes. His grip tightened even more, his face expressionless, he pulled my arm down onto the table causing me to fall forwards. My arm was now on the table and so was my face. I turned my head to the side so I could see him.

"Let me go!" I shouted. He then loosened his grip on my arm so that I could kneel and lift my head of the table.

"Explain who he is." He demanded. I sat there rubbing my sore wrist, just looking at him, I tired not to let my fear show but my tears had over ideas.

"He's just a friend." I said lowering my head to hide my tears. I knew how he could get, it was never good. I heard him growl then his hand grabbed my chin and pulled my face up. I could see the anger in his eyes.

"Just a friend! Just a fucking friend! You don't have any!" He yelled while standing up, bringing me with him, his finger nails nearly cutting into my skin. I stood there with tears running down my cheek. I felt helpless.  His hand dropped from my chin and we just stood silently. I could hear my heart beating and I could smell the chicken burning.

I darted my eyes to the stove remembering the food. I began to step forward to turn it off. I heard my fiancé growl and then a hand slapped me across my face. He hit me with such force that I fell forwards, again. I put my hand out trying to catch my self but it did no good. My hand slipped on the stove causing me to fall to the floor. I crawled towards the counter, put my hands up and tired to pull my self up.

"I don't think so." He growled while grabbing my hands and pushing me back down. He straddled me and kept my hands pinned above my head. Tears rushed down my face then splashed on to the floor. I looked around us trying to see if I could escape. The only thing near us was a kitchen knife that had fallen on the floor.

"Let me go!" I pleaded. All he did was laugh as he let go of my hands. I let out a deep breath thinking he was stopping.

"Foods going to be burnt now." He stated. I could see the anger was still growing in him. I attempted to shuffle backwards away from him but he started punching me. Once in the left side of my face then on my right side. Over and over again. I felt the bruises forming already as the warm blood ran down my face. My nose must have been broken, I could smell the blood and taste something metallic. He just kept hitting me, on my face and on my chest, my eyelids began to get heavy.

I looked around again, looking for the knife, it was now within reach. I stretched my hand out, it hurt to move but I strained to reach it anyway, I grabbed the knife and swung it around. It caught his arm and he backed away.

"How dare you!" He shouted while holding the cut on his arm. I pulled my self up using the counter. Once I was upright he came running towards me. I held the knife out in front of me and he ran right into it. He stepped back clutching his stomach while I stood there in shock trying to keep upright. He fell to the floor crying for help and began coughing and spitting blood. I slumped down to the floor and held my head in my hands. Tears where gushing out of my eyes and pooling at my feet. I could hear the sirens in the distance, coming for me. I closed my eyes and let myself drift into unconsciousness.