She sat rocking herself in the corner.

She knew that soon they would come to take her away, but she could hardly find the nerves to run and hide. She was too tired and just wanted to sleep for ages.

For years and years, she had withstood it.

At first she told herself that she had to stay for the children.

Then she grew afraid to go anywhere.

Then she became a nervous wreck, got sick and disgusted with her life.

Then she lost her job and had no money.

Then she lost all her friends.

Then she became totally dependent on him.

Then the berating, the beatings, the cycle of maltreatment got more vicious.

He made the mistake of pointing the gun at her head but failing to shoot.

That was his weapon of choice. To scare her out of her wits with the gun amused him a lot.

Now, he could do it no more. She shot him with the gun that had taunted her for ages right in the back of his head.

It was point blank Bulls Eye. The beginners luck.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha