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None of thissense

He—I still hadn’t gotten his na to do so I wouldn’t have to slide across the seat He didn’t look back to see if I was questioningfor an introduction, an explanation He disappeared into the dark interior, cool air escaping to join the stifling blanket of heat that descended upon Manhattan in August

There was a casual arrogance in that gesture, getting in the car without a word or backward glance One that should’ve infuriatedthis entire situation behind, writing it off as a near miss

Yet there wasn’t even a millisecond of hesitation Not a moment Not a stutter in my step as I stepped off the sidewalk and into the car

The second my ass was settled in the leather seat, the driver, who I hadn’t made eye contact with, out of shame or fear, slammed the door shut

I couldn’t shake the feeling that the door closing was so But that thought didn’t last for long Not once I realized the reality of my situation

I was in a car with an older man, one with a lot of money, who the staff of the restaurant actively feared, and no one knehere I was No one knehere I was going or who I ith This was a decision I hts weren’t on survival, weren’t on anything but feeding the beast inside me

I was a different person now

Or so I’d thought

We didn’t speak in the car Not a word I did not ask his name, nor he mine I didn’t blurt lines about how I never did this, how I’d been the victim of sos that could’ve been said That should’ve been said

If ere talking about ‘should’ves,’ then I shouldn’t have gotten in the fucking car in the first place