nda'

ighed, rubbing my eyes as I muttered. I've been d

s of land, It's getting darker by the

oice for company. Maybe I'm really los

uttered to myself spotting a mote

pulled into the gravel lot. It buzzed like a dy

aint peeling in places like even the walls c

rf

would notice me here and that's exactly what I needed no

ken ribs and avoid movement at all costs. He gave me a brief nod as a welcome gesture a

I gave him the fake name I'd used once in college while dodgi

said, handing me the keycard wi

my hands to get his attention, sin

the hall. Each step sounded loud in the quie

night in years I wasn't

d that squeaked when I dropped my bag on it. One lamp worked. The o

re to di

and stayed there in a small pile. I stared at it for a moment how

o

toni

uttered before settling into a steady stream. It wasn't warm but it was clean and rig

on me like a second skin, even this cold water felt like c

last of the perfume he liked. The lipstick I wore for him. The

out, the mirror was fogged up. I wiped it with my hand and saw

plan to leave for good, maybe a part of me knew. I'd packed essentials bef

k and laid it open o

he first task ,

ond, Freeze

nd two late-night emails. My

st of what neede

or tom

ort-term pla

ank account und

ce space or shar

business ca

cal licensin

nd si

asn't about revenge anymore. It

rcled "Ve

ing. If I lingered, I'd hesitate. And

into my laptop. Folder after folder opened my

for healing, escape, and resilience. Shelters that looked nothing l

e world wasn't

as w

e buzze

wn Nu

get to run

message

lnerable". Come back

n't r

amble to salvage what little control he ha

he phone and s

ter stains on the plaster ,small and ugly, like someone else h

anym

h and old air, but it wrapped around me like armo

the road early a

ew

ew

it to be chosen, who