Broken

Anna:

I am running away. With tearful eyes and shaking limbs I pack my bags in the middle of the night, moving as silently as I can fearful to wake the sleeping monster in my bed. For so long it was the bed we shared together, despite everything you put me through I always forgave you. Never second guessing your words. After all you loved me; you would never lie to me…

I was such a fool. You were lying the entire time. You never loved me, you used me. Now I have to escape before you wake up and stop me for good.

Grabbing my duffel bag I grunt as I heave it from the ground. It’s heavy… Walking out of the small one bedroom house I hurry away from the cage I’d been trapped in for so long. A few hours later the sun is blooming from underneath the horizon and I can feel my body start to react to the lack of him…and it. I need to relax… My body trembles and a slow, dull headache began to build behind my eyes. Pulling into the parking lot of a shopping complex I feel the emotions build up within me. Tears prick my eyes sharply as I feel the shakes burst forth from within. I’m so scared… Sobs wrack my body. I’m free. My heart hammered in my chest. Where do I go from here? I have no one… He made sure of that… He took everything from me. My friends one by one drifted away, my family disowned me… I have nobody to go to, no money, nowhere to rest my head…

A sudden memory hit me like a bucket of ice cold water. Him... There was only one person I could go to… The one person I would rather jump off a cliff than go to, but I didn’t have any other choice… He lived a few towns over; hopefully he lived in the same apartment as before… I tried to push away the memories, but they overwhelmed me; 18-years old, loving recklessly and living wildly…; before he walked in and got me hooked, before everything fell to pieces. Four years and so much has changed…

The apartment building looked the same as before. It felt wrong walking up these stairs after what happened. I didn’t move my bag from the car; I was surprised I could even drive here with how bad I was shaking. From fear, withdrawals, or both I didn’t know. 335B the familiar number burned into the back of my mind.

“I wonder if he will even recognize me.” I laughed coldly to myself. Ringing the doorbell I waited and no one answered. Turning I looked at the parking lot, his truck wasn’t here… Maybe he’s out… or he did move. The sun was low on the horizon when I leaned against the wall next to his door, pulling my hoodie close around me I pulled my knees up resting my head on them I fell asleep. I’ll deal with finding somewhere to stay tomorrow…

Nick:

“Hey Nick!” Clarisse called from the front of the bar. I looked up from wiping down the counter. “Wanna go out to dinner with all of us tonight?” She asked smiling like always, always the same offer.

“Nah,” I shrug, “You guys go on without me.” She sighs rolling her eyes.

“How are you going to get a girlfriend staying home all the time?” She placed her hands on her hips.

“Next time…” Was all I said before returning to wiping down the bar, I watched as they left, Clarisse, Damien, and John. They were good coworkers. Clarisse was a bit desperate to get my attention, John drank too much, and Damien was a player, but they all had their good points too. Sighing I locked up the bar for the night and headed home. Stopping by the convenience store I picked up some bread and milk.

How long am I going to keep this up? Just living, not improving my life in any way… Clarisse is right… I really should start getting my life together.

                Pulling into my usual spot I hold my grocery bags in one hand and my keys in the other. Walking up the stairs I pause as I turn towards my door. Someone is sleeping by my door… Sighing I walk over.