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*No Mercy - October 19, 2003*
Stephanie felt physically ill almost to the point of throwing up. She stared at her reflection in the mirror above the vanity in her locker room, hardly able to recognize herself.
God, she was a mess... Her usually bright, vibrant long brown hair hung limp and lifeless, lackluster. Her skin had a wan hue to it, rather than the healthy, rosy glow it normally contained. And her eyes... Well, those scared her the most. Her huge blue eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot, drawn, and there were dark, puffy circles beneath them. To say the least, she did *not* look her best.
"Honey..."
Stephanie looked up at the sound of her mother's voice. She'd been so distracted, she hadn't even heard Linda come back into the room.
"Mom?"
The older woman shook her head, sadness in her face, and the brunette was crestfallen. There hadn't been any luck. Her mother had promised to try and get hold of Sean in Stephanie's time of need. The brunette herself had tried his cell phone number numerous times over the last two days, but had listened to a message saying that the number was no longer in service. Phone calls to his home number had proven fruitless as well. Where the hell could O'Haire be?
The possible answer to that question terrified Stephanie. She knew deep in her heart that he couldn't be *dead* - but the fact that he'd made his bond and been released from jail but had not tried to contact her for two days was frightening. Did he not care for her any longer?
"Mom, what am I going to do?" she cried. She tried her best not to cry, lest she ruin the makeup that had been so expertly applied to her face. On the other hand, why should she even give a damn about crying and ruining it? Tonight was so symbolic - it was signifying the end of her freedom as she knew it.
Linda gathered her daughter in her arms, her hands gentle and caressing. Stephanie collapsed against her mother, soft sobs escaping her as a single tear finally trickled down her cheek.
*
Stephanie struggled in her father's grasp. she was quickly growing tired as she attempted to free herself from the armbar. Her gaze traveled to that of her mother, who was standing in her corner, a towel clutched in her hand.
Damn it... She didn't want to give up. If only she could do something to fight Vince's tyranny. But it wouldn't do any good, even if she could physically overpower him - the script had already long since been written.
A choked cry escaped her as her father lifted her up by her long hair. She turned to face him, beginning to claw at his face. Vince, in turn, kicked her - he the stomach - he actually *kicked* her - and delivered a Stunner.
The brunette went down in a heap to the canvasa like a ragdoll, slipping into unconsciousness
before she could even witness Linda literally throwing in the towel.