AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t want to take the pills anymore. I can’t feel anything, and they make me too nauseous.”
“No pills,” he agrees. “But please eat.”
I try, but my mouth waters when I swallow. It hurts, and every bite is a reminder of the tightness in my throat.
I close my eyes and distract myself.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
I keep going until I lose count.
“Claire?”
My head snaps back. “Mmm?”
“You were falling asleep.” Garry reaches across the table to take my hand. “You’re freezing.”
Am I?
I shrug. “Just tired. I’m going to get some air.” I excuse myself, not looking back as I step outside and stare up at the birds singing in the tall trees.
They sing and sing.
Ma’am, you need to focus.
She had the bluest eyes. Like yours.
You weren’t supposed to be here.
Go back in your room, baby girl. Put your headphones on and dance.
You’re going to change the world someday, Claire Russell.
You need to take care of our boys.
Stop screaming, baby girl. Please stop screaming. I love you. I love you. I love you.
I gasp, assaulted by memories.
“Get out of my head.”
I brush a hand over my cheeks. They’re wet.
My body vibrates, and no matter what I do, I can’t stop.
Everything burns again.
I can’t breathe.
The trees are spinning.
