popped open. She heaved a rapid breath.
sweaty hand rubbed her head. Hungry fingers clumsily caressed
her hair and brushed against her cheek.
filled with an odd stench and assaulted her nose. Sam’s stomach
churned. She swallowed back the nausea that stirred from the
pungent reek of liquor.
With a quick
breath, she squelched the panic that bolted through her like
lightening and concentrated on the eerie shadow that lurked
above her head.
from a moonbeam shined across the room and created a spotlight
on the staggering silhouette.
she recognized Rob.
her body up in an instant.
head hit the couch hard as her body slammed down tight with the
cushions. Rob lashed out and grabbed the front of her blouse.
The gold-colored shiny circles popped off as the cotton material
his face, managing to pull away and scramble to her feet.
the strength from somewhere deep within and gave him a quick
shove. His body fell backward.
leapt as she raced toward the simmering glow coming from the
nightlight in the hallway. Rob dashed after her like a dog
snapping at her heels.
approached her front door, her peripheral vision glimpsed the
statue made of metal perched on the shelf over her coat rack.
She knew the little figurine wouldn’t offer much defense because
it was small and hollow, but what other choice did she have?
snatched up the horse. She whacked Rob, hitting him hard, then
another time, until he staggered and fell.
Sam ran as
fast as she could and left Rob lying on the hallway floor. A
moan escaped his lips as a trickle of blood oozed from his head.
down the steps as remorse hit her. Of all the stupid things she
could’ve done! Why had she forgotten to lock her door?
down the sidewalk. She was aware, vaguely, of the passing city
The sting of
the air in her eyes, on her cheeks, slowly revealed the brutal
chill. The February night embraced her entire body. Her skin
tingled as the wintry air swirled inside her torn garment.
shivering hands, Sam grabbed the fabric and held tight. She
blinked and fought against tears as they trickled down her
cheek. This was no time to cry—she needed to stay strong.
emotion, she was grateful for living in the city. The
streetlights shined on the sidewalk and gave her a clear path in
After a few
blocks, she slowed down to a jog, finally able to stop running.
Sam’s heart beat in rapid succession as she leaned against a
building and heaved, barely aware of the frosty concrete pressed
against her back.
concentrated on inhaling slow breaths in and out, until her
lungs felt normal again.
She slid down
the rough surface and landed flat on the icy sidewalk. Crouched
down, Sam held her ribs as they throbbed.
cheeks, she swiped away the moisture that flowed over her face.
wouldn’t give in to despair. Now she could go back to the police
and get help. Maybe, with a court order, she could keep Rob
away. She could concentrate on getting her life back on the
Sam sat there
in the dismal hour of darkness and focused on calming her shaky
drained her. Hunkered down on the sidewalk mindlessly, Sam
watched the nightlife across the street.
seemed like hours, pins and needles pricked her frigid, stiff
body. She clutched at her torn top and shivered once more. How
could she have nowhere to go? How did she manage to lose
connections to all her friends? They had all married or moved
alone, she knew there was no other choice but to return home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR