• I’m frozen. Underwater stuck into an endless personally hell. I’d been holding my breath now for forty minutes. I fall for my weakness taking in the water instead of oxygen. My lungs fill with this cold liquid. I’m choking. I’m falling further into the waters. Memories fly behind my eyes. Pain is striking me. Scars, bruises, and wounds reappear. Icy water stings them. I remember. Days of yelling, nights of pain, I see.


    Lying against my bed, I am frozen, as he placed himself upon me. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t say a word. I’m just a child! I’m only six… So what could I say? Get off…Daddy please don’t hurt me. He wouldn’t listen to me. He was here…to take what he wanted. My heart drifted slowing. I can’t breathe daddy! Please I can’t breathe! Please Let Me Go. Daddy….


    The memories fade all at once leaving me to my dark cold world. I shiver and open my eyes to this darkness, pulling it closer to me. Don’t leave… this is my safe world. My eyes close tight. There’s a light above me. An extended arm of hope is reaching for me. Weak and frail, my hand slides from the icy cold to the ray of hope.


    The waters pull me in and push hard against my fragile body. Another break of weakness causes me to take a breath, my arms outstretched for the light above, Will I ever reach it?