My stepfather regularly beat the shit out of me. I suffered a few broken bones and more than a few bruises over the years. I didnt know it at the time but he thought I was gay and that he was making a man out of me. Im not even a little gay but thats neither here nor there.

When I was 16 I snapped. Id always just taken it. But I fought back....we went round and round....eventually I pinned him against a wall and squeezed his throat till he went limp. I took off...thought Id killed him.
I was arrested 6 months later, 3 states away. Initially being charged as an adult with attempted manslaughter, unauthorized use of a movable, felony evasion, and resisting arrest. The last two charges were all that stood by the time the social worker and court appointed shrink were done with me.

I drew 18 till 18 in a juvenile facility. It was the most peaceful year and a half of my life to date. Spent 2 years on the streets after being released before finally getting some traction in life and finding my way to university.
I reconciled with my stepfather and my mother shortly before the birth of my twin daughters....and ended up cutting the toxic relationship which resumed shortly after my girls turned 18.