Unforgiven - The price of a heart

Lena. He had hit her again, this time around, her body was even more bruised w

ness and dust, the faint scent of mil

hey hovered over her phone. She was sweating, her breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps. Her fingers s

too still, too quiet, except for the frantic thud of her heart pounding in her chest. Her thumb finally dialed the number she knew by heart,

o Isa

dn't find the strength to speak right away. Her throat felt tight,

iend's voice broke through the p

arting to the top of the stairs where she heard him

n, half-sobbed whisper. "I...I don't know what to do. I...I don't think I'm safe. He.

sabelle's breath catch in her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing hersel

need you to stay hidden and don't move unless

you can't, Len

ou for crying out loud. I'm calling the police! That mother fucker is going to jail. What the hell?! D

a rough day at work. I must have upset him, that was why he hit me. That's why he p

him having a bad day at work is an ex

s. If he finds out, he...he w...would

ootsteps again. He was co

d me. I am in the basement...hiding. Oh my God, Lena, w

said, whi

rp with urgency now, though

o stay calm. You are going to be ok

couldn't make it. He...he might be downstairs too. I thought I heard him. I don't k

it always was when she took charge. "You need to focus, Isabelle. Explain to me what happ

es and slaps. She could still feel them. The dangerous and scary look in his eyes, the sickening blows that made her fe

f he was ready to have his dinner." "But he...he got mad. I don't know what he was talking about. Something about... about me not going to the police t

to stay hidden, okay? Just breathe, you are strong. Just s

Every creak of the floor above made her freeze, her pulse quickening. She thought she heard movement... heavy, delib

oud bang echoed from upstairs, th

n and strained. "He is coming. Lena, he i

uiet. Don't make

t her lip until she tasted blood, her heart hammering as the footsteps grew louder, closer, every creak of the floorboards making her

Her voice cracked with desperation, b

are not alone, okay? I'm not going anywhere

to the world. The light from the screen flickered, and for a moment, she

house, thick with anticipation. Every breath Isabelle took felt like it

was barely a whisper no

ly before she heard a loud, he

r heart was pounding rapidly, alm

t, but this time it wasn't her best fri

y. Her head spinned, shivers of sweat ran down her spine. Beads of sweat ran ac

uld beat you senseless again!" His voice screamed from the other

whimpered

re I have this door torn

ther side of the line, reminding Isabelle s

all. The dial ringing ou