My life smells like blood. The metallic scent lingers in my nostrils, a constant reminder of the violence that has plagued me for years. Every moment of my life has been spent in fear, in apprehension, never knowing when the next blow would come. I used to dream of a life free from pain, a life where I could be happy and carefree. But those dreams were shattered long ago, replaced by the harsh reality of my existence. I am a prisoner in my own home, trapped by the man who is supposed to love and protect me. The bruises on my skin tell a story of their own, a story of violence and abuse. But it's the scars on my soul that hurt the most, the wounds that can't be seen but are just as real. They ache and throb, a constant reminder of all that I have endured. I have tried to leave, tried to escape the clutches of my abuser. But every time I try, he finds me and brings me back. He tells me that he loves me, that he can't live without me. But I know the truth. He loves the control he has over me, loves the power he wields. I am tired. So tired of living this way, of being afraid all the time. I want to be free, to live a life without fear or pain. But I don't know how to escape, how to break free from the chains that bind me. My life smells like blood, but I refuse to let it end that way. Someday, somehow, I will find a way out. And when I do, I will breathe in the fresh air of freedom and never look back.