Only a few moments ago Adlai`s life had been finally going well, at least that`s what he tried to tell himself: a boyfriend, a big apartment that they shared and he had an inter position at the company of his boyfriend. But somehow all that was gone.

Like everyday he sat on the couch, scroling through messages on his cellphone, waiting for Elias to come home. It was already past twelfe when his boyfriend showed up. That was the first strange thing: they both had to work tomorrow, normally Elias was never home later than nine on such days. But it got stranger: Elias had definitely been drinking. There was a frightening look in his eyes. 

He stood up asking Elias: "What`s wrong? Are you okay? What happened?" 

He didn`t know what to make of the scene before him. Elias just snarled at him, coming closer. "Elias? What is it?-"

That was all he could manage before Elias grabbed his throat, lifting him off the ground and pressing him against the wall. "Eli-"

"It´s all your fault!", his boyfriend growled.

Needing air he tried to swallow. "What? What is my fault?"

Elias stared at him, his eyes full of hatred. Suddenly he seemed perfectly sober. "He saw us together and now he broke up with me! Only because you can`t keep your hands off of me in public! You slut!" He was practically shouting now and Adlai hoped their neighbors weren`t home. 

"Broke up? What do you mean? Who saw us?"

He tried to remove Elias` hands from his throat but he didn`t let go. As he struggled he pleaded: "Please…"

What was happening? Adlai didn`t understand at all.

Finally Elias said: "Zac. Zac saw us." But still showing no sign of letting Adlai go.

"Zac?"

"Did you really think I would stay with you, when you can`t even satisfy me in bed?"

"But I always thought-"

Suddenly Elias let go of his throat but just to slap him across the face. Adlai froze. He wanted to say something or get away but couldn`t when Elias hit him again and again. And again.

Until he sank to the floor. He felt numb. Elais now went from hitting him to kicking him. He whimpered.

After what seemed like hours Elias stopped and left, going into their bedroom.

 He couldn`t move for a long while. But in the end he managed to crawl to the door and into the hall.

"Help... someone. Please…"

And then he blacked out.