**Downward Spiral**

Ashley yelled at her mother, her voice shrill and angry. "Leave me alone, Mom! You don't know anything!" she shouted, her eyes flashing with defiance. Her mother's expression turned from concern to alarm as Axel shoved her away, his hands on Ashley's hips, pulling her close. "Hey, back off, lady," he sneered, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and hostility. Ashley stumbled out of the house with Axel, both of them laughing and swaying to the music in their heads. They walked down the street, high on who-knew-what, their footsteps unsteady. Axel took Ashley to his place, a dingy little apartment on the outskirts of town. Ashley was too far gone to care where she was or what was happening. She lay on the couch, her mind foggy and disconnected. Axel's actions were swift and decisive, taking advantage of Ashley's vulnerable state. She lay there, clueless and unaware of what was happening, her body responding without her consent. The next day, Ashley stumbled home, her clothes stained and torn, her hair matted and tangled. She reeked of cigarettes, weed, and alcohol, her eyes glassy and unfocused. Her mother was not impressed. "Ashley, what happened to you?" she demanded, her voice firm and disapproving. Ashley shrugged, still trying to clear the haze from her mind. "I don't know," she mumbled, her voice barely intelligible. Her mother's expression turned cold. "You're going to have to do better than that," she said, her arms crossed over her chest. Ashley argued, her voice rising in defiance. "You're always on my case, Mom! You don't understand me! Axel understands me, you're just jealous!" Her mother's eyes widened in shock. "Ashley, Axel is a predator," she said, her voice firm. "He's taking advantage of you, and I won't let it happen." But Ashley just shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't know anything, Mom," she repeated, storming off to her room, slamming the door behind her. Her mother sighed, feeling a sense of despair wash over her. She had lost her daughter to the downward spiral of addiction and mental illness, and she didn't know how to get her back.