rey

lking man with a greasy ponytail, was already getting out of his car, his eyes glinting in the dim light of the streetlamp. He looked at me like a pr

r. One last gasp of battery. My emergency contact. Brandon.

ice. Kristal. My hear

rely audible above the pounding rai

k audible in her voice. "Brandon's in the s

t here, alone, in the dark, with a potential threat looming right i

ng with venom. "I won't tell him you called. Would

closer now, his shadow stretchin

wood bridge, on Elm Street. Please, just tell Brandon. I need help." I gambled, hopin

a. You can take care of yourself." Her voice hardened. "Brandon j

d. The word was a kni

aid, her voice chillingly sweet. "We need some alone tim

The silence that fol

iver l

cologne filled my nostrils, bringing back vivid, terrifying memories. My mind flashed to the pepper spray Brandon had

ing for his face. A blinding spray of white mist erupted, catch

l blow. He doubled over, groaning in pain. I didn' t wait. I turned and ra

und me, my body shaking uncontrollably. I pressed my hands over my mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to escape. I could

e door. The engine roared, tires sq

ot and silent. I was safe, for now. But the image of Brandon and Kristal, in our hom

e. A notification. A new blog post. From Kristal Gibson. My

istal, her head nestled against his shoulder. The caption read: "So good to be hom

most... My throat closed up. He had left me to die. He had ignored my calls, all

This wasn't just infidelity. This was a profound betrayal of trust

e a husband. He acted like a man consumed by a past

it anymore. I wouldn't

w, I was getting a divorce. No. I wasn't getting

spend the night. It was miles away. I started walking, the rain still falling, but the fir

austed to care about the shoddy room. I showered, washing away the grime, the fear, the lingering scent of th