I know this is pretty late and I'm on mobile, and hard for me to type.
To preface, I'm from extremely rual Louisiana on top of that the police, who we begged for help, were ignorant to our situation.
But I was 15, my father was horribly abusive to my mother, me and 4 other siblings. Like, he didn't allow us schooling as the abuse was so evident.
Well it was my 15th birthday, and he had refused to buy me gifts or anything as he believed I was "too spoiled for gifts, and too fat for cake" so like any 15 year old I cried.
My mother baked me a cake anyway when she thought that he left, but he came back right when we were cutting it.
It was horrible, he mashed the cake on the ground and pushed her into it. He had a steal bar that he was beating her with even when she was unconscious.
I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't stand by and let him kill her. While his back was turned and standing over my barely there mother, I took the gun that he left on the counter and just shot him.
I can still remember how everything seemed to slow down and stop. I shot him about four times, that's what I was told I can't remember honestly.
I do remember working in autopilot, I gathered up all my siblings and packed all our stuff into a car. My sister and I cleaned up our mother and laid her across the seat.
We drove to the nearest ER where we were already "frequent fliers" from my father. This time was obviously different, the nurses were horrified and rushed us all to a separate room from the waiting room.
Child services was called but none of us would speak till my mother was back. It was a mess.
Eventually it was ruled that it was third party self defense or something, we packed our bags and we moved to Florida.
I know there will be the "why didn't you leave" argument. But this was a man who tracked us two towns over, brought us back, locked me in a closet and later tried to light me on fire. This was literally my only way out.
Edit: Wow, haha I'm honestly amazed by the overwhelming support (and gold!) I just got back from work so I'll answer all the questions y'all have.
My mom is fine, just a little scratched up but we all are. It did take her a couple months to fully heal but the worst that happened (thankfully) was she got a concussion and a few broken bones.
She is actually working as a domestic violence advocate and helps tons of families out of those situations! Women and men alike. I am very proud of my mother, she has her problems but we all do and we've accepted them.
Thanks so much
Edit 2: I just wanted to use this fairly popular comment to make it aware that abuse comes in many forms physical and mental. Abuse doesn't always constitute a bruise.
I would also like to point out that if you think that person will quit their ways, chances are they won't. Many abusers believe they're not doing anything wrong, and many victims feel the same way.
If someone treats you badly, don't tolerate it. If you feel like you can't escape a person seek help before the situation escalates. Lastly, if the situation has escalated so much that you can't escape by yourself contact the police and your local domestic violence shelter, not only will they pay your court fees but they will house you and help you relocate. As well as they go with you to court and offer therapy.
There is help you just have to seek it out.
