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Prologue

SAM

I breathe through ainst h

I'ht Or the night after Brad's going to come after me I know this, and I knoon't be able to stop him I've taken self-defense classes and I'hter He'll takean MMA fighter was going to be really hot two years ago

Not laughing now

I've left the restraining order paperwork tacked to the refrigerator with a kitchen net When the police find my body—and I'm sure they will— I've called and called and called, but no one does anything They show up, they chase hioes out and gets drinks with the cops, since some of them are his friends or fans of his bouts No one see me, that he's threatened to kill me if I “flirt” with anyone at work

And because I work at a coffee shop, and so

My cellphone buzzes with an incoainst the closet wall, hidden a in the closet because it's another locked door between us—not that it'll do ry e from Brad

Brad, who thinks he ownsorders and et out of my life I've already ets my address and follows ain

My phone buzzes angrily again, and I clutch the butcher knife tighter against my chest I don't cry I'm past tears

I'ned, but mostly tired

It's while I huddle in the closet that I se It srows heavy Didhe drugto take me out?

The door to the closet opens as if it wasn't locked, but instead of Brad standing there, it's a strange, spindly figure with a large head, surrounded by light A bird trills

I pass out

"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey," calls out a cheerful voice

My head throbs, andto orient myself My eyes feel heavy So heavy My skin feels dae