CAGED BY HIM

ry'

ground. This has been my routine for two years now. No friends, no family. Just me an

fear of him returning to this home never faded. And my mother's death? That still torments me, creeping into my drea

e relentless memories. When dark thoughts creep back in, I take the pills. They dulled the pain and soothed my anxious m

feeling confident. I nailed every question. A smile crept onto my face at the thought of

in again. Crunching through my cereal loudly. Each bite echoed

~~~~~~~~

en a knock broke my conc

ncing up from my laptop. He settled into the

trov's locat

d, still focused on the

the Russian mafia. That's why tracking him was t

thing we'd thrown at them, they dared to think they could strike back now. "Make sure yo

s," he repli

hich relative

Just a daughter left. We've got info on

e. Familiar. But where had I seen

casually mentioned, "Oh, the Greeks send their regards. They're hoping to

rious look. "Yo

pleased with himsel

~~~~~~~~~~

up and saw it was an email from le Clair de lune. My heart raced with a mi

! Joy bubbled up, and I couldn't help but scream, ecstat

-hour shift. I couldn't contain my excitement and let

. Groceries! I craved a delicious homemade meal tonight. I quickly changed my clothes, my mind racing with id

lways eluded me. Was it pity? Maybe they saw my thin frame and thought of hunger and struggle. I am i

to be joyful. I took a deep breath, pushed aside their stares, a

pping journey. I grabbed a trolley and rolled it

s, and all the right flavors danced in my head. But then something funny happened. I started tos

coming rich soon. The thought fueled

ed with my collection. I steered my

rolled home. I thought about My plan for tonight. A special dinner followe

st too quiet. Anyone passing by m

d react, the door swung open and Men in masks came out from the bus

t, but they were too strong. A sharp sting in my arm