one again to make sure I have the right address, flipping back and forth between my text messages and my Maps app. It's the right address, but this has to be a mistake... mayb

ng brave for once, lulled

don't know much about guns, but even I can tell the ones holstered on their belts are not standard issue. Not to mention, they're both c

" I mumble as I put my car into park a

window. I try my best to look non-threatening. His partner meanwhile is usi

window, my voice shaking from nervousness

an my name but not feeling like I have much of a choice. One glance in my rearview mi

ake. Please, if you'll just let me turn around,

can argue he's waiving me through. I seriously consider backing out anyway, but the other guard is still positioned behind my car, trapping me. So with warning bells sc

rison chosen was a minimum-security facility and participants allowed into the program are heavily screened before being paired with members of our church. We were assured that there'd be no risk to us.

too much anxiety. I feel awkward and never know what to say. Outside of my job as a librarian and my interactions at church, I rarely have the courage to talk to anyone. So when Pastor John approached me to encourage me to try the pen pal program I was hesitant, but in t

-minute increments. I've never seen a picture of him, had refused to do a video call with him and never sent him a picture of myself. In some ways, I feel like I know him intimately, spending Nine months getting to kn

p through to my brain. This is a terrible idea. I would've turned around a thousand times already if I thought for one se

ion. He has the lightest grey eyes I've ever seen, beautiful but cold as they assess me. And somehow I know this is Gabriel without having to be told. A chill runs down

sky timber I've become familiar with over the

n over letters and phone calls, nothing has prepared me for the dark predator standing before me. Nothing's prepared me for his chiseled good looks or the

queak out on a

ly I unfreeze, trying to take a step back, out of his space, but it's too late. He holds me firmly in his grip and th

ch's pen pal program had been screened! Pastor John met with every single candidate and helped pair them with us. He should be safe! A first offender with no violent background and nothing to indicate he was anything but some guy who got

but gentle. "We have so much to discuss," he says, his voice quiet in a way that I think is meant to soothe me but

d me into feeling safe, feeling comfortable. My whole life has been lived with caution, never taking the risky path, never stepping out of my comfort zone... and yet the