ARTYR'

m light of morning brushed aga

ee

itely furnished. It was warm, or

ething I hadn't felt in.

, humming softly. I could hear t

handing it over to me. I took i

fo

fter pulling me away from the h

ded to me, not asking many

this was just gratitude, nothing

and unapologetically soft. I fe

e moment I can't

stumbled, but she caught me ju

s in her arms, steady, saf

shed into mine, knocking the air

rom my

our eyes locking in an intense sta

sperate, like something we

e. My lips moved with hers lik

y, claiming me with a hunger tha

as tender. It sent c

er grip, breathless and dizzy.

ing I

apology was not genuine not aft

A taxi was waiting

at her. The taxi took off and I wa

al

g time, I felt something th

curdled the mo

my key, but the door was alread

e

ripping a stick in my hand, read

heard h

as h

et he had

?" His voice was low and dang

keep your fucki

ave the time to

fore I could

atching in my throat. His footst

rn

and not answer your phone?!

up

se .... I

tch. Who wher

tried to speak, to explain about t

dn't listen.

up from the streets," he spat, p

want you. You

reminded m

new boyfriend who frequently ha

And how he found me offered me

. I thought

e owns me, a

am without him. Because I

s shoot," he growled. "Get up

. Like I

ps still

ch step broken by quiet sobs th

t from the weight of everything.

the world ou

d stripped down slowly. My reflec

. The imprint of his violence had

girl I never I was. I wished to be

nd that motherfucker to his knee

s fangs off and letting them roas

h

ould taste better."

in beneath my eye, and a fresh w

angrily, and stepped into the

cold, cleansing but it never was

in a towel and returned to my mi

hollowed-eyed. Then reached f

eady. I had do

ises. Blended the truth into sile

t a smooth canvas, a

Cherry Flame." I swept it over m

y birthday. The one he said ma

every time I needed

and neck. Clean and floral like

iece. I clutch

mirror. I looked...

fec

fear and shame and everything

somethin

e

at moment. I

just maybe,

l. He liked it that way.

was breaking

rp clink of my heels echoing agai

hurt but I already knew how to

me, he rose to his feet, eyes sc

ething

spirits, little one," he said, t

ped his hands around my waist a

. He pressed a kiss to my cheek

words he always used afte

erfected over time, and let him

already waiting. He opened the

ved he was, bu

d at us and saw a perfect cou

e. He treated me like a princess

beneath the surface. They di

rl who now admired him from af

He always told me that the mo

he deals. I was nothing more th

the studio of many. The lights, c

in my chest. This shoot

e director shot me

d, then waved to the st

ctor trying to make excuses for

as he bought

ached, makeup kit in hand

f." I said, my vo

d stepped back. I took my pla

uises, even though I had already

hair fall loosely over my shoulde

put it on wi

sed for the camera like a pro, bu

smirked, twirled all the things

looked amazing. The directo

me, his presence like a weight

, like he was marking his terri

world saw only what