bellion. I lay on the cold floor for a long moment, the world a bl

ete. They were talking in low tones, occasionally glancing over

dy screamed in protest. I knew at least one

larity. This couldn't go on. It wasn't a life. It was a slow death. My father' s wish for my freedom wa

s them, my mind

aid, my voice a

annoyed by th

at n

t a div

ould stop them. They felt for

or a second. Then she laughed. It wasn't a happy

st absurd joke in the world. "You think you are in a po

round her like a snake. She advanced on

"You belong to me, Alex. Your life, your body, it' s all m

a time, years ago, when I had tried to protect her from an angry business rival during a public event. He had lunged at her, and I had stepped in the way, my hand gettin

the entire scene with wide, unblinking eyes, to

look,"

r showed me. "That' s a great car, Leo. But you know who broke your

himself had broken the toy

of fear and anger, the same way his mother did. "I

my leg, but the word lan

to it. The lies, the manipulation, the manufactur

voice turning venomous. "You upset m

ck. Now you' ve made him cry. You' re going to stay in the kitchen until I tell you to com

y gave way. The pain in my side, the grief for my father, the crushing we

Black spots danc

to retreat into the numbness th

had reache

he world went black as I collapse