na's

irm yet gentle, and asked ag

ay, my senses snapp

god," I chanted, frantically

ice cut thro

? Did I say so

ng as I dressed. I turned to flee

idn't look back. I ran towar

ut the engine refused to start. "Seriously

ncy. As I turned the key, Richard emerged f

shouted, raci

it. The engine

lief and I sped away, leavin

getting out, I sat in the truck, eyes clos

eath, trying to cal

er of me? I had almost thrown myself at Richa

should have considered that he

f the night staring back at me.

d towards the house, the weight of my

bombarded me. Every room, every piece of

hard, fightin

ure, but I had nowhere else to go.

iller to come and finish me o

t of a child

without fighting back? How could I face

the empty house. "Goddess, are you happy?!"

of how to catch the killer. But every lead ended in a d

I pulled it out, and my eyes widened

e the phone aside, when suddenl

itement. Maybe, just maybe, I coul

ee if anyone came forward with information.

ated. I wanted to ask for help, but a bitter laugh caught in my thro

ght about my isolation. But then, a sp

identity that would allow me to reach out fo

ew account, my fingers flying across the ke

without fear of judgment,

****

o school, still reeling from t

e, the cap shading half my

lend into the backgro

et of sand poured down on my head, and

stood out - Richard. His expression was, as al

urprised to see her smirking at me. She w

as I dusted off my cap. The sand stung my eyes, but

eyes drifting around the ro

iend into a sloppy kiss. I rolled my eyes, disgust was

ldn't focus. My mind kept wandering back to my soci

ith disappointment. Not a single f

nd I couldn't shake the fee

elt a sting of tears, but I blinked them back,

e, I gathered my things and headed

Just when I was about to climb the staircase, a hand sudd

entire body shiver on seeing Richard