Battered Black And Blue For Revenge

I didn’t even know the man who did this to me.

- Ellen Finch

It was a warm evening in May 2016 and I was on my way home.

I decided to pop into the Cyns Tavern in Little Hulton to see my friend Jayne.

I don’t drink, but I just wanted a quick catch-up.

But when I got to the pub, there was a man standing in the door.

I knew his name, as he was a regular – Dale Powell.

We’d never spoken to each other, though. 

‘Excuse me,’ I said politely. Instead of moving out of my way, he stayed put and glared at me. 

Weird... 

Then, before I had the chance to utter another word, the man’s fist was being launched at my face.

I staggered backwards as his knuckles collided with my cheek. 

As I reeled in pain, another sickening punch landed on my face. 

He struck me five times before I hit the floor.

Crumpled in a heap, I faded in and out of consciousness as voices circled around me.

‘Look what you’ve done!’someone shouted.

When I finally came to, a stranger was standing over me.

Blurry-eyed and confused, I noticed he was wearing a bright red shirt.

Then I realised the man’s shirt was red because it was drenched in my blood.