From Neglect to True Love

touching her cheek delicately. "W

ll of pathetic,

to her side, cooing and comforting

you to the best doctor," David sa

od sugar right in front of him. He hadn't even reached out a h

e swept her up into his arms, his face a grim,

e hospital," he an

face heavy with disappointment.

them listen. I ran out of the bright

ing blocke

ddle of the stone path, its teeth ba

od ran

of that day had never left me. I was deeply, pathologically afraid of dogs. My adoptive parents

seemed their concern for my

og lu

d and fell backward onto the damp grass. Then, more shapes emerged from the dark

. My throat started to clo

lawing at my neck.

e long driveway. The red tail lights disappeared in

e I blacked out, I thought I heard a

ain, sinking in the cold water of the deep end of the poo

lled me out, his arms strong around me. He was my

he didn't save

ched. My arms and legs were wrapped in bandag

rom the next room

ing, her tone dripping with fake concern. "I h

"It's not your fault, dear. Sa

on't worry about

atter what I did, no matter how much I suffered, I

h every move, and walked out of

a small bag, when the do

s expression. But then his gaze landed on the diamond brooch, which I had

hardened

. He snatched the brooch from my hand and walke

into the darknes

ment," he said, as if he were granting me a great fa

o great it had burned itself out, l

said, my voice flat.

r word, his phone rang. H

, coming through the phone. "The nurse is gone. C

voice became gentle, soothing. "Of cou

of my room without anoth

the final blow. I wiped a tear from my cheek, a tear of pure, bitter cla