e let go, Rory?

ing as I turn the SUV into another dangerous angle struggle against the snow-packed road. I tighten the wheel and knuckles turn w

er view. I get a quick look at the woman I once knew-the one who used to stare at me with a combination of af

on. A dread. target. And in th

n it appeals to me-something between determination and fear. I want to calm her down. I am not a

ard, but her eyes ignite. I had seen it before-that rebellious flame she carried around all the ti

y depends on me. I am convinced I am acting correctly. F

someone else. There is someone f

Simply said... I can't remember the terminology. The past is too distorted, too full with falsehoods, betrayal, and slaughter. I also wa

t out, attempting to focus

know she won't let this

refore I push the SUV more. But time is running short; the s

re not fooling me, Cole." You are not giving me material

her to piece the fragments together; when she does, she will be far more susceptible than she is right now.

"You have no clue what I am fighting for. Too m

t is reality. I negotiate this existence; it is dangerous. Someone like her deems it too dangerous. Som

er voice picks up. "You are not guarding any fragile woman here. C

She is right and that stings. She is not the young fearful lady I left

ave grown. She should not be trapped in the mess of my life, the twist

id of the impression though-that she already

ms weaker. That does not suggest, th

tling for too long. She wants to be absolutely mad with me at least. She wants to hate me for what I did.

p me; I als

ething in the rearview mirror. The car i

d. The tires spin to produce a snow spray in every direction. Along with the earth ro

rcely audible above the sound o

ed, tenacious. Panic wriggles at my chest, my heart bea

im. I am not giving up y

the wheel when the automobile slides on the ice ground. The wind yells more and the snow flourishe

hought. The car is becoming uneas

oose somethi

e, I call Rory. She is confusedl

dazzle me; I know it's too late

uch searing my chest, the seatbelt sends us startling forward. Rory screams

dark for one

et whirls bac

y weighs on mine, and her sharp breath intake. I hav

ng, I first hear footsteps

tarting

. Her eyes cover wide terrain marked by terror.

own," pressing my finger

y shaking with drea

became mor

ng here. I also realise