Chapter 1 – The night it started

“Steve please” Harriet begged, “Please” she added tears pouring down her face.

“Mummy I’m scared” Jack said from the corner he was huddled in, “Daddy don’t hurt mummy”

“I’ve warned you before” Steve said as he leaned over his ex-girlfriend, “You’re mine forever you know that, and I don’t appreciate hearing from my two year old son that mummies new friend stays over”

“He is not your son” Harriet sobbed, “You couldn’t care less about him” She continued, “Please just go!”

“Not yet” he said, “I’m not finished yet!” with that he drew a knife from his pocket and slit Harriet’s side. She screamed in pain

“You’ll never learn will you” he said as he punched her across the face,

“Steve get out now!” she screamed

“Don’t worry I will” he said walking over to the door, slamming it after him.

“Come here sweetheart” Harriet said to her son. Jack walked over to his mum and put his arms around her

“Mummy you’re bleeding” he said looking up at his mum, tears filling both their eyes

“I’m gonna be okay darling, I’m so sorry” she said as he huddled even closer to her

“It’s not your fault mummy,” he said. She bowed her head and rested it on Jacks.

There was a loud banging on the door
”Steve just go away, haven’t you done enough!”

“It’s me, Mark, from next door,” the person said. With that Harriet stood up, holding Jack close to her and cautiously opened the door. Seeing it was Mark she let him in.