Chapter 1

Everything Blair had gone through had led her to this moment: escape. A tumultuous, devastating childhood followed by an adolescence full of abuse had not been enough to destroy Blair. She was a Waldorf, after all, and Waldorf women were strong to the core. The Waldorf family were old money through and through, well known within the highest echelons of London society. However, when Blair was merely 11 years old, her beloved father was murdered. After that Blair and her mother disappeared from London's social scene. They were never seen or heard from. As it turned out, Blair's mother Eleanor had taken a fancy to alcohol, drugs and thuggish men. In her desperate attempts to drown her grief, Eleanor led herself and her daughter into the home of a 30 year old drug dealer by the name of Aaron. Any outsider would think that Aaron was a normal guy; his natural good looks and charm warded off any unwanted suspicion. However in a domestic environment Aaron was as ugly as can be. He was jealous of Eleanor's deceased husband, and the fact that he still had a power over her even from the grave. So he took his jealousy and channelled it through his fists, again and again. Blair was neglected and forced to fend for herself. She went to school yet remained under the radar; she stole food when the house was running low on supplies. Although a quiet, reserved child surrounded by abuse, Blair was undoubtedly a beauty. Eleanor's relationship with Aaron lasted three years, during which Blair blossomed into a beautiful teenager with dark, flowing locks and bright brown eyes. However, Eleanor's downhill spiral continued. After three years of constantly over-using alcohol and cocaine, and having been beaten beyond belief, Eleanor's body finally let her down. And Blair lost another parent.

Although only fourteen years old, Blair was wise and mature beyond her years. She was incredibly intelligent, so much so that the absence of friends was replaced by Hemingway and Austen. Her future was undetermined, yet Blair knew that she wanted to escape Aaron at all costs. Yet in a tragic turn of events, Blair found herself in the legal custody of Aaron. Her late mother, probably under threat from Aaron, had demanded terms in her will that Blair should be left to Aaron. Aaron had no trouble with pulling Blair out of school and relocating them from all she had ever known. He took her to the countryside where no one knew them. He was able to remain in the drugs trade, through deliveries and occasional trips to the city. Blair, however, found herself a prisoner in his domain. Aaron made no secret of his desire for Blair - he would taunt her with the idea that her mother's death was brought about by fate so that they could be together. Blair was outspoken though, and shouted and screamed at him that he was sick, disgusting, repugnant. Well, as you can imagine, Aaron didn't take too kindly to these insults. He kicked her, pulled her hair, hit her repeatedly. As this continued, Blair's outspoken, strong-willed nature was eventually silenced. At sixteen, she was a shell of her former self. Upon her birthday, Aaron declared that their relationship could now progress as she was of legal age. So he raped her. And Blair, after so many years of abuse, knew that any efforts to stop him were useless. She would whisper to him, 'Please, no', yet that was no deterrent. And so it continued, again and again. A vicious cycle of violence and abuse which encircled her, enclosing her completely. Aaron was in love with her, the beautiful young girl who was entirely his. And Blair was repulsed by him, and dreamed of the day she could escape him.

When Blair was nearing her eighteenth birthday, Aaron decided that he wanted to tie himself to Blair in every way humanly possible. He was jealous and possessive, and hated the idea that Blair could ever be with another man. So he proposed. Blair, who normally remained silent in his presence, began to weep. He deluded himself into thinking they were tears of joy, and placed a ring on her finger. He told her that he had to drive to the city that night, but that he would back for her and they would be married soon enough. And Blair took this as her chance. She knew that it was time to run, before she was doomed to become his forever. Aaron had locked every door and window in the house as per usual, so Blair broke a first floor window and ran. She had packed the necessities: clothes, her books and her father's old camera, leaving behind only the ring. And she never looked back.