I fell in love with a boy a long time ago. <br> <br>I was only a small girl. Scared and frightened, I was taken from my home and held against my will. His father hurt me, but he protected me and kept me safe as best he could. <br> <br>Until I left him. <br> <br>I ran the first chance I got and even though I knew he wasn’t behind me, I didn’t stop. The branches lashed out at me, punishing me for leaving him in the hands of a monster. <br> <br>I’ve never felt such guilt in my life. <br> <br>Although I survived, the boy was never found. I prayed for him to be safe. I dreamed he’d be alright and come back to me. Even as a young girl I knew I loved him, but I betrayed him. <br> <br>Twenty years later, all my wishes came true. <br> <br>But the boy came back a man. With a grip strong enough to keep me close and a look in his eyes that warned me to never dare leave him again. I was his to keep after all. <br> <br>Twenty years after leaving one hell, I entered another. Our tale was only just getting started. <br> <br>It’s dark and twisted. <br> <br>But that doesn’t make it any less of what it is. <br> <br>A love story. Our love story.