The Rejected Burden: Rising From The Shadows

ng to wash her out of existence. Isadora took a step off the cur

ground, but her right heel snapped. The shoe ca

hispered. "

broken shoe. She kicked the broken one off. Being barefoot was better t

e screen flickered green, th

ying to preserve whatever body heat she

kness. Twin beams of white light that il

wasn't a taxi. It was the sa

burning in her chest. She didn't want anyone to s

eside her. The rear win

ows across his sharp cheekbones. He looked at her-at her wet

g. He looked angry. H

a second, holding a massive black

the driver sa

th chattering. "I... I can't. I

rough the sound of the rain. It wasn't a

tomatic response. Isadora ducked under the

y. The silence inside was absolute. The air was w

ition between them and the driver slid up, turning

he unbuttoned his suit jacket. He took it off a

fed her. Isadora pulled the lapels tight against her neck

ipping from her hair onto the pristi

efrigerated compartment and pulled out a bottle o

ri

s shaking so much the wat

n reached into a storage cubby near hi

nsole between them

ith white frosting. It looked simple,

er mascara was definitely smeared under

e dinner I just left," Kingston said

He flicked it. A small flame danced in the dim light. He h

wish,"

reflected in Kingston's grey eye

on to love her. But the memory of t

wish to be free of him.

dle. Kingston snapped the ligh

y, Isadora," h

. She took a bite. The frosting was sweet, melting on her t

He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his e

adora looked out the window.

said. Her voice

. "Keep the jacket. The drive

or. The cold air rushed in, but she w

n said, still not looking at he

hts of the sedan disappear around the corner