DEAD OR ALIVE

kill you?" His voice was barely a plea bu

at him, s

mbling. "And Daddy... he, he hurts you every time. I don'

m away. "Lorien, listen to me. I'm trying.

to leave?" he asked agai

he right words. How could I explain the c

n. I have to think about you and Azr

e of the couch. "But we're not safe here. We

in the air, h

ds to bed, I sat at the dining

focating, but I welcomed it. It

ng I needed to do to leave. Find a

list felt like an ins

would

ith my predicament

ling me how no marriage is a bed o

h

t w

de my blood run cold. I shoved the noteb

?" he asked, his

ust cleaning u

as if searching for evidence of my defia

," I sai

is presence was overwh

m n

grip tightening painfully

" I cried, yank

ght he was going to hit me. But then he smirked, a c

" No matter what you are planning to do, You belong wit

ounding as he turned

I collapsed into the cha

e collaps

ought I built on

k from the drawer an

thought, I have t

ho

*

ut of the fragile sleep I'd slipped into

l was no longer in bed. He alwa

nd the same thoughts all nig

I made the bed, carefully smoothing out

but laced with a quiet menace that sent a shiver down my spine. "You know I c

e into the present. I hurried to her room

d, holding her bunny with one hand

ched down beside her, brushing

" she whispered. He

pulled her into a hug, inhaling the scent o

my dream," she said, her voi

mp in my throat. "It was just a dream

r trust in me so pure, so unshaken, that

addy is alwa

at at the table, his face hidden behind a book, while Azra colored a picture of a prince

ignore the gnawing ache in my stomach. I hadn't eaten since

holding up her pictu

forcing a smile. "You're

ession unreadable. "She dra

d softly, a war

mumbled, going b

says my pictures are meant for babies. He told

e sink. I turned slowl

Azra. Your pictures are meant for ever

n's frown deepened. He dropped his book a

or

id quickly, headi

eart sinking. He wasn'

*

from his morning exercise, a sharp

y racing. Visitors were rare,

ing anyone into his house. "My house," he always rem

d end in slaps, p

window, careful not to make a sound. I peeked thro

as C

isbelief washing over me

ided, relief at seeing her familiar face and dr

et Kael see

oor to tell her to leave,

is th

I lied, waiting

e and went to

ng here?" he said as soon as

t's been a while, and I miss

acked conviction. He didn't bother to hide his displeasure, the t

fingers gripping the edge so tigh

w bursts, the air around

through, his movements deliberate, hesitant,

and unbothered, brushing past h

by the door, fingers still clutching the e

She said, h

d the hug because Ka

here?" I asked, tr

you. Can I si

se do" I told her as I l

in the nearest seat,

asked when she found me s

lied even tho

be okay when Kael was

u been stressing yourself out? Kael, look at you

s just stressed from taking care of tw

he added, while

t, I have two kids

d came to my side, wrapping

your friend, she will tell you i

ing the truth?" Cla

l me" I screamed in my mind, while I ju

here?" I as

want me around," She a

usy upstairs, and we weren't expecting an un

ited. Just wanted to say hi to you" Clara re

d up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I longed to follow her ou

oat, pleas for help, confessions of my torment, but fear

l had taken my phone days ago, keeping it out of reach like a warden ensuring a prisoner

ing" Kael stood up

for a moment, her eyes fi

st, a silent cry for salva

elf to stay rooted, to endure. T

u several times. I came because I couldn't reach you

y mind went blank. I couldn't think of anything

I'll fix it for her," Kael said quickly, his t

ing my face for confirmation, si

odding stiffly, I said nothing, hoping the gesture would be enough. My stomac

m. I could feel his suspicion thick in the air, p

get your phone, or I will be f

gently as she pulled m

g could shield me from everything wait

or closed behind her, the silen

into me, even though I couldn'

ways to convince him I hadn't said anything to Clara. B

id finally, his voice low

me, his fury radiating through the room like heat off

no choice but to follow. I felt like an idiot, traili

, it never was. I alread

receive a friend he had forbi

feet, each step taking me close