page10 (1/2)

“Understatement, Cecilia”

“Liv’s a friend—” I caught ood one”

Mark didn’t say a word as he glanced down at where I’d unzipped the hoodie so baby girl had rooet some air I could tell he wanted to ask more questions, but he didn’t, so I didn’t offer up any more inforh the county toward Mark’s house

Dao to his place Dreadthe closet

I didn’t want to see where he lived, whether he had a bachelor pad or his place felt like a home I didn’t want to knohat kind of life he lived I knew he kept in touch with people back ho h to hear more than that I couldn’t I’d survived and thrived to that point because I didn’t know those things, because I’d completely distanced myself from him

The whole night had been one horrendous horror show, and I knew the full weight of it hadn’t hit nized the feeling—the racing heartbeat and hyper-vigilance While logically I understood that ere no longer in danger, nothing felt safe yet We were still, for all intents and purposes, on the run As I stared out the ondered if I’d ever feel settled again

“Home sweet home,” the driver said as he pulled into the driveway of an older, ranch style house “I’ll grab the gear out of the back”

“Thank fuck we didn’t have to use any of it,” the woht we’ve had in a while”

I grit my teeth and refused to reply to her co-lations So glad that one of the worst nights of my life had been a piece of cake for her

I clenchedout of the SUV to stand aardly beside it, I stared at Mark’s house like it was going to bite rateful for everything they’d done, so relieved that ere okay and they’d coet as far away froht of the past was thrown on top of the weight of the present and I suffocated

“Co e and the house